Global InformationMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy information
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2016) |
| Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy | |
|---|---|
 Seal | |
 James Honea since 8 September 2022 | |
 United States Navy | |
| Type | Advisor |
| Abbreviation | MCPON |
| Reports to | Chief of Naval Operations |
| Appointer | Chief of Naval Operations |
| Term length | 2 years renewable once |
| Formation | 28 April 1967 |
| First holder | Delbert Black |
| Deputy | Deputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy[1] |
| Salary | $9,786.00 per month, regardless of the incumbent's service longevity[2] |
| Website | Official website |
The master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON /ˈmɪkpɒn/) is a unique non-commissioned rank and position of office of the United States Navy, which is designated as a special paygrade above E-9. The holder of this position is the most senior enlisted member of the U.S. Navy, equivalent to the sergeant Major of the Army, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, and chief master sergeant of the Space Force. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted sailor in the Navy, unless an enlisted sailor is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman. The current MCPON is James Honea.
The master chief petty officer of the Navy is appointed by the chief of naval operations to serve as a spokesperson to address the issues of enlisted personnel to the highest positions in the Navy. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of naval operations and to the chief of naval personnel. Their exact duties vary, depending on the CNO, though they generally devote much of their time to traveling throughout the Navy observing training and talking to sailors and their families. Their personnel code is N00D as the senior enlisted advisor to Chief of Naval Operations and PERS-00D in their special advisory capacity to Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, and Training). In 1988, the MCPON's spouse was made the Ombudsman-at-Large, authorizing them to travel around the fleet with their spouse, representing the interests of the spouses of enlisted members. The MCPON serves an appointed two-year term of office[3] but can be reappointed by the CNO for an additional two-year term.[4] Typically; the MCPON serves two terms. While the MCPON is a non-commissioned officer, this rank is protocoled higher than all rear admirals and equivalent to a vice admiral in billet, seating, transportation, and parking.[5]
- ^ "Deputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Smitty Tocorzic takes a tandem parachute jump". Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Defense Finance and Accounting Service > MilitaryMembers > payentitlements > Pay Tables > Basic Pay > EM".
- ^ "Navy's Top Enlisted Leader Investigated over Hostile Leadership Claims". 15 June 2018.
- ^ "'Like working for a pop star or Hollywood diva': Navy investigating MCPON amid reports of toxic workplace". 15 June 2018.
- ^ "Order of Precedence – OPNAVINST 1710.7J (NOTES: 7)" (PDF).
Senior Enlisted Service Representatives (SMA, SGMMC, MCPON, CMSAF, etc.) are typically afforded precedence equal to that of a three-star officer and are placed somewhere midway between the senior and junior general/flag officer present. This is not an exact rule, but one which can be used to arrive at the proper place for most situations.