Command Master Chief (SW/FMF)
Charles Thomas Winter
Master Chief Winter is a native of Puget Sound Washington. After he completed boot camp at Naval Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended the Hospital Corpsman “A” School and Dental Strand “C” School, also based out of Great Lakes, IL.
His first assignment was blue side at Naval Hospital Dental Center Okinawa Japan as a chair side dental technician. During his twoyears he was trained as an expanded functions technician and deployed as an Individual Augmentee to the Expeditionary Medical Fleet Hospital Kuwait (Detachment Foxtrot) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF).
His next assignment was green side with 13th Dental Company, 1st Dental Battalion, out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where he rose through the ranks quickly, serving as the clinic Leading Petty Officer (LPO) for 60 Sailors and civilians.
His third and last assignment as a Hospital Corpsman was at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, where he served as the Command Career Counselor (CCC) for 250 Sailors, and Patient Admin LPO for 30 Sailors and civilians. During this assignment he was selected to convert to Navy Career Counselor (NC).
His first assignment as a rated NC was aboard the USS CARNEY (DDG 64), homeported out of Naval Station Rota. Served as the CCC for a crew of 360 Sailors. During the assignment he completed six sixth fleet patrols, served during Operation Odyssey Lightning, and was selected to Chief Petty Officer.
His second assignment as an NC was Immediate Superior In Command (ISIC) Career Counselor for the staffs of U.S. SEVENTH Fleet. During this time, he completed two seventh fleet deployments and led a team of 16 Career Counselors in support of 800 Sailors during one of the most operationally dynamic, budget constrained, and pandemic-challenged periods in U.S. SEVENTH Fleet’s history.
His last assignment as an NC was ISIC Career Counselor at Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR. Led 100 teammates in support of 1,100 Sailors and civilians, delivering lethal and survivable special operation capabilities to joint forces in denied and contested areas across the globe. Service as the CCC and acting Senior Enlisted Advisor resulted in selection to Senior Chief and the Command Program.
Currently serves as the Command Master Chief for the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Leading Staff in the mental, physical, and moral development of 300 Midshipmen Candidates a year.
He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (246 Gray). He is also qualified as Enlisted Fleet Marine Force (MLG), Surface Warfare (DDG), and Aviation Warfare Specialist (HSC). He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (x3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x7), and Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (x2), among other campaign and service awards.
