Command Senior Chief
CMDCS Shannon B. Chatterton
CMDCS Shannon B. Chatterton hails from St. Louis, Mo. She entered active naval service in January 2007, reporting to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes. Upon completion of recruit training, she attended Master-at-Arms “A” School and subsequently completed Military Working Dog “C” School and Kennel Master “C” School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.
She is a graduate of Senior Enlisted Academy Class 260. She has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Purdue University and a Master of Science degree in Leadership from Trident University. She is also a Master Trainer Specialist and holds a Certified Postsecondary Instructor certification.
CMDCS Chatterton’s tours include NAS Willow Grove, PA, Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, NH, Naval Technical Training Center Lackland, TX where she was selected as the 2017 Center for Security Forces Sailor of the Year and promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 2018, Naval Submarine Base New London, CT and Navy Region Northwest where she served as the Region Kennel Master and promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2023.</p
From 2011 – 2014 she served in the U.S. Navy Reserves before returning to active duty in 2015. While a reservist, she completed her bachelor’s degree while working for American K9 Detection Services, as an Explosive Detector Dog Handler at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.
In 2025 she volunteered for an Individual Augmentee onboard the USNS Comfort Hospital Ship as the Anti-terrorism Officer and Senior Enlisted Leader for DESRON Four in support of Operation Continuing Promise. In 2011 she was involved in Operation Unified Protector earning the NATO medal for actions in relation to Libya. In 2010, she was deployed and stood up ISA Air Base, Bahrain, as a key strategic site supporting Central Command Operations.
In 2024 she assumed the duties as the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Force Kennel Master, until being selected for the Command Senior Chief Program in 2026 where she served as the CSEL to CNIC staff in support of the Fleet, Fighter, and Family across 70 Navy installations worldwide.
Currently serves as the Command Senior Chief for the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI. Leading a staff in the mental, physical and moral development of 300 Midshipman Candidates a year.
CMDCS Chatterton’s awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Air and Space Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6), Armed Forces Service Medal, Coast Guard Special Operations Service Award, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.
