Command Master Chief Christopher A. Byard, a native of Osgood, Indiana, enlisted in the Navy in April 1999. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, he reported to Naval Technical Training Center Meridian, Mississippi, completing Yeoman “A” School and later Yeoman “C” School. Byard is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (204 Blue) and Command Master Chief & Chief of the Boat Course (220). He is a Master Training Specialist and has Surface and Air Warfare designations.
His Operational/Sea Duty assignments were; USS RUSSELL (DDG 59) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Expeditionary Strike Group ONE (ESG-1) San Diego, California; Carrier Group ONE (CCG-1) San Diego, California; Navy Central Command Forward (NAVCENTFWD) Afghanistan; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN ONE (HSM-71) San Diego, California and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron FIVE ONE (HSM-51) Atsugi, Japan.
His Shore Duty assignments were: Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Mons, Belgium; Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Washington, D.C.; Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N095), Washington, D.C.; Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Meridian, Mississippi; Center for Service Support (CSS) Newport, Rhode Island, 4TH Battalion, United States Military Entrance Processing Command, Cleveland, Ohio, and Navy Talent Acquisition Group Ohio River Valley, Columbus, Ohio.
In February 2020, Master Chief Byard was selected for the Command Senior Enlisted Leader Program. In August 2023, he reported to Naval Support Activity Mid-South, as the Command Master Chief.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), and other various unit and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 15 December 2023