US Navy appoints first SEAL as a Fleet Master Chief

The US Navy has selected a Navy SEAL to serve as Fleet Master Chief for the first time in the service’s history, US Naval Forces Europe-Africa commander Adm. James G. Foggo III has announced.

Force Master Chief Derrick Walters will succeed Fleet Master Chief Raymond Kemp as Fleet Master Chief for US Naval Forces Europe-Africa in early Spring.

“I am excited to announce Force Master Chief Derrick Walters will be our new Fleet Master Chief,” said Foggo. “He is a proven leader who brings a tremendous and very unique wealth of experience and will advocate for our Sailors and their families serving overseas.”

Walters is currently the Force Master Chief for Naval Special Warfare, headquartered in San Diego.

“Force Master Chief Walters has a stellar record,” said Foggo. “Accordingly, he rose to the top of an impressive list of candidates considered for this critical job and I look forward to the pride, professionalism, and experience he will bring to our mission in Europe and Africa.”

His previous assignments include a tour of duty with SEAL Teams 8 and 2, and Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Training Det. Walters returned to SEAL Team 2 as the Operations and Command Master Chief and did a repeat tour with Special Warfare Group 2 as the Senior Enlisted Adviser.

He has also served as Command Master Chief at Naval Special Warfare Center and was the Senior Enlisted Leader at NATO Special Operations headquarters before becoming the Force Master Chief of Naval Special Warfare Command.