CMDCM Michael L. Reese, USN
Command Master Chief, Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth, Virginia
Master Chief Reese was raised in Gladys, Virginia and graduated from William Campbell High School in June 1989. He reported to Great Lakes, IL where he completed Recruit Training and Signalman “A” School.
In December 1989, Reese began his first sea tour as a Signalman in USS AMERICA (CV 66) participating in Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM and SOUTHERN WATCH until moving on to USS PETERSON (DD 969) in August 1993 where he served as Leading Petty Officer of the Signal Bridge and completing a Mediterranean deployment. His next sea tour as Navigation Leading Chief Petty Officer and Training Officer in USS OSCAR AUSTIN (DDG 79) began in September 1999 from precommissioning through launching strikes during IRAQI FREEDOM. While onboard OSCAR AUSTIN, he qualified as Officer of the Deck (Underway) and was converted to, and served as Chief Master-at-Arms until his transfer in December 2003. Upon graduation from Class 127 of the Senior Enlisted Academy in October 2006, he assumed duties as Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) of the Operations Department and Security Division in Precommissioning Unit GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) where he was advanced to Master Chief and selected into the Command Master Chief (CMC) Program.
Ashore, Reese served as Security Shift Supervisor on the Security Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, DC from September 1995 to September 1999. In December 2003, he reported for duty as LCPO of the Sewell’s Point Police Precinct where he served until August 2006. He reported as Command Master Chief of Norfolk Naval Shipyard in December 2014.
Joining the Aviation Community as his first CMC tour in November 2008, he served in Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC 40) until February 2012. Then he joined the Tigertails of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW 125), completing a Western Pacific deployment in USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and transitioning to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
Master Chief Reese is qualified in Surface and Aviation Warfare, and has a Associates of Arts degree in Business Administration from Liberty University. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal; four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals; five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; seven Good Conduct Awards; various campaign and unit awards.