Command Master Chief Charles Clarke
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / 5th Fleet Command Master Chief
A native of Georgetown, Guyana, South America, Command Master Chief Charles “Chuck” Clarke enlisted in the Navy in April 1987. Upon completion of boot camp, he reported to Disbursing Clerk "A" School in Meridian, Miss., from August through October 1987.
In October 1987, he reported aboard the USS Dubuque (LPD 8), homeported in Sasebo, Japan. During this tour, he completed two deployments to the Persian Gulf. In December 1989, he reported to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40, homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif. where he deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 1990 to March 1991.
In December 1991 Clarke reported to Personnel Support Activity Detachment, Recruit Training Command (RTC) San Diego. RTC San Diego closed its doors in February of 1994, and Clarke transferred to Personnel Support Detachment Point Loma, Calif.
His follow-on tour was aboard USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39), where he reported in April 1995 as senior disbursing clerk and deputy disbursing officer. During his tour he completed a Western Pacific deployment. Additionally, he completed the Command Career Counselor Course and converted to the Navy Counselor rating. In October 1997, he reported to Naval Support Activity, La Maddalena, Italy as Command Career Counselor.
He reported to Pre-Commissioning Unit Iwo Jima, homeported in Norfolk, Va. in October 1999, as Senior Career Counselor and Career Information Program Manager.
In January 2003, he reported to Commander, Helicopter Tactical Wing Atlantic in Norfolk, Va. as staff Career Counselor/ISIC Career Counselor for nine aviation squadrons, and he was selected to Senior Chief Petty Officer. Clarke reported aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in Yokosuka, Japan, as the Senior Career Counselor and Career Information Program Manager in 2005. He was selected to Master Chief Petty Officer in 2006 and accepted into the Command Master Chief program in January 2007. He transferred as Command Career Counselor in April 2007 and returned aboard, one month later, as Kitty Hawk’s final Command Master Chief. During his tour, Kitty Hawk changed homeports to Bremerton, Wash. where she was decommissioned.
In December 2008, he reported aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in San Diego as Command Master Chief. During his tour, Nimitz completed a successful 8-month deployment to Fifth Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He assumed duties as COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT’s Command Master Chief in July 2010.
A graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 114, Green); Command Master Chief Course (Class 38) and Navy Legal Officer Course, Clarke has earned an associate degree from National University of San Diego; bachelor’s degrees from Excelsior College and Southern Illinois University. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Human Relations from University of Oklahoma.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various other campaign and unit awards.