Passing the Torch
POSTED ON: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 11:09 AM by MC3 Hannah K. Cox
Command Master Chief Mamudu “Karim” Cole joined the Navy on December 17, 1990 with the intent of serving for four years and then getting out to go to college. Instead, he fell in love with the job and decided to stay in.
“I stayed because of the people,” said Master Chief Cole. “If I was to pick out anything that's been special in my career, it's all the different folks I have served with.”
Master Chief Cole’s early assignments include tours with Marine Aircraft Group 13, where he completed three Western Pacific deployments with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 and VMA-513 aboard USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) and USS Essex (LHD 2); Marine Aircraft Group 26 as the senior medical representative for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 261 and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, deploying aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in support of Operation Noble Obelisk in Sierra Leone; and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Iwakuni, Japan, deploying with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 212 in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Cole also served aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit Green Bay (LPD 20) as the leading chief for the health services department and then as command senior chief when selected to the Command Senior Chief Program.
He took his fleet experience back to the schoolhouse as the senior instructor for the Aerospace Medicine "C" School.
His command master chief tours include time aboard USS Thach (FFG 43), completing two Western Pacific deployments; as the regional command master chief of U.S. Naval Forces Korea and Commander, Task Force 78; and with the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. Cole most recently served as the Naval Education and Training Command and MyNavy HR Force Development force master chief.
Master Chief Cole assumed the duties as the U.S. Naval Academy’s Command Master Chief in July 2020.
Master Chief Cole said he feels confident stepping into his retirement because he knows the midshipmen, sailors, and staff at the academy are intelligent and capable.
“They’re dedicated, they’re well resourced, they’re well trained – the Navy is in good hands,” said Master Chief Cole.
Master Chief Cole’s son, Ensign Alex Cole, has been selected to be a navy pilot after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in the class of 2024.
“To wrap up my career watching my son take on the lead is more than I can ask for – I’m blessed,” said Master Chief Cole.
Ensign Cole said he is looking forward to carrying the torch as his father retires and he begins his naval career. He feels that he has big shoes to fill but is confident that with his father’s guidance he can do it.
“He’s been mentoring me every single day of my life and is not going to stop,” said Ensign Cole.
Ensign Cole was inspired to become a pilot from watching the Blue Angels fly while living in Pensacola.
“I just wanted to be like them, you know, I wanted to fly, I wanted to serve, and I definitely wanted to go to college,” said Ensign Cole.
The graduation was very emotional for the Cole family. Ensign Cole felt a sense of fulfillment and that everything had come full circle after watching the Blue Angels flyover and saluting his parents. Master Chief Cole said he was very proud that after almost 34 years of service, his son became his senior when he commissioned.
“I told him on that day, ‘As a commissioned officer, you are senior to me, and I will render your first salute and will honor that for the rest of my life.’”
Category: Midshipman, Press Releases, People