Master Chief Petty Officer Joseph D. Matthews (David) is a native of Sanford NC. At the age of 19, he decided to pursue a career in the United States Navy. On 16 February 1995 he left for boot camp in Great Lakes, IL. Following boot camp, he attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) in Groton, CT.
After completing BESS, Matthews reported for his first sea duty assignment on board the fast attack submarine USS TAUTOG (SSN 639) in Pearl Harbor, HI as an undesignated seaman. He earned his Enlisted Submarine Warfare Qualification, completed an EASTPAC and WESTPAC deployment, and struck for the HM rating. In 1997, Matthews transferred to HM “A” school in Great Lakes. Upon completion of “A” school he received follow on orders to Field Medical Service School in Camp Pendleton, CA and reported for his first corpsman assignment with the Third Battalion, Third Marines in Kaneohe Bay, HI. At 3/3 Matthews served as a field corpsman with Weapons Platoon in Kilo Company, and completed a unit deployment to Okinawa, Japan. He earned his Fleet Marine Force designator and was promoted to HM3. In December 1997 Matthews was selected to attend Biomedical Photography “C” school in Bethesda, MD with follow-on orders to Naval Hospital Guam. In Guam, he advanced to HM2 and was the Sailor of the Year for 2001. Matthews transferred to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA, and shortly after applied for Sub IDC “C” school. In March 2003 he reported for training at Naval Undersea Medical Institute in Groton, CT. Upon graduation and being meritoriously advanced to HM1, he reported to USS SANTA FE (SSN 763) in Pearl Harbor, HI. While on board, he completed an EASTPAC and WESTPAC deployment and change of homeport to Portsmouth, NH. In September 2007, Matthews was selected for CPO and transferred to COMSUBPAC in Pearl Harbor. While at COMSUBPAC, he competed his bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. In December 2010, Matthews reported to USS TEXAS (SSN 775) in Pearl Harbor. In June 2011 he was selected for advancement to HMCS and completed the inaugural WESTPAC onboard the mighty USS TEXAS (SSN 775). In March 2014, Matthews reported to Naval Submarine Support Center Kings Bay, GA. Two months later he was selected for HMCM. In September 2016, Matthews reported to the Medical Education & Training Campus as the SEA for ALL initial medical training which he oversaw the execution of 49 medical programs within a Joint Service platform for Army, Navy and Air Force enlisted men and women. In June 2019, Matthews reported to COMSUBPAC as the Force IDC, which he implemented and enforced TYCOM standards for 39 operational Submarine commands and two surface ships providing medical care to over 8,500 Sailors. HMCM Matthews is entitled to wear the Silver Dolphins of an Enlisted Submarine Specialist and carries the Fleet Marine Force warfare designator. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (7) and various unit and service awards.
Last Updated: 2 January 2024