Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Mark D. Tomlinson

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / 5th Fleet,
Staff Command Master Chief

Command Master Chief Mark D. Tomlinson was born in McAlester, Oklahoma and enlisted in the delayed entry program in June 1986. After completing basic training at Naval Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL in October 1986, he then proceeded to Naval Damage Control Training Center, Philadelphia, PA to complete Hull Maintenance Technician “A” school and then to General Maintenance Welding “C” school in Portsmouth, VA.

In June 1987 he reported to his first tour of duty onboard the USS LAWRENCE (DDG 4) homeported in Norfolk, VA were he qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. In June 1989 he reported to San Diego, CA for Nuclear Powerplant Components Welding School “C” school with follow-on orders to the USS ORION (AS 18) in La Maddalena, Italy. In April 1992 he reported to USS CANOPUS (AS 34) in King’s Bay, GA as Weld Shop LPO and in April 1994 reported to SUBASE/NAVIMF Pearl Harbor, HI as Weld Shop LPO and the Ship’s Superintendent. It was at this command that he was selected and advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

In July 1997 he reported to the USS STOUT (DDG 55) in Portsmouth, VA as the Ship’s 3M Maintenance Manager where he qualified as Conning Officer. After a successful sea tour he was selected to serve as Electrical Chief onboard USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON (FFG 13) in October 1998. Here he qualified Engineering Officer of the Watch and deployed for Counter Drug Operations. He then screened for recruiting duty and reported to NRD Dallas, NRS McAlester and NRS Shawnee as Recruiter-in-Charge in September 2000 and was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2002.

In February 2003 he reported to USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40) in Agana, Guam as the Planning LCPO, Repair Admin DIVO and Acting Repair Department Master Chief where he once again qualified as EOOW. In July 2006 he graduated from the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy “Class 125 Green” and then screened for Landing Craft Air Cushion Craftmaster duty reporting to Assault Craft Unit FIVE West Pac Alfa in Sasebo, Japan in April 2007, where he held the position of Craftmaster/DET Officer-in-Charge/SEA.

Master Chief Tomlinson was selected to the Command Senior Chief program in February, 2009, advanced to HTCM in April and converted to Command Master Chief in June 2009. In September 2009 he assumed the duties of Command Master Chief of the “GAUNTLETS” of VAQ-136 stationed in Atsugi, Japan, as part of Carrier Air Wing FIVE deploying from the NIMITZ-class carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). Here he qualified Aviation Warfare and completed his fourth college degree, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Selected as the Staff Command Master Chief to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, Fifth Fleet in Bahrain he reported in July 2011.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 Awards), the Navy Good Conduct Medal (6 Awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (4 Awards) and various other unit and personal awards.