Master Chief Newsom is a native of Memphis, TN and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He entered the United States Navy in January 2001. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL he reported to Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL, where he completed apprenticeship training.
Upon graduation he reported for duty onboard the USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47), homeported in Pascagoula,
MS as an undesignated Seaman attached to Deck Department. He earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification, Earned Battle “E” for excellence, completed two South America forward deployments, and advanced to Storekeeper Second Class.
In April 2002, he volunteered for a temporarily assignment to USS COLE (DDG 70) in Norfolk, VA as Depot Level Repairable Manager. Received impact award for sustained superior performance.
In October 2004, he transferred to Recruit Training Command Great lakes, IL as Large Contracting Officer, Budget Analyst, and Leading Petty Officer. During his tour he qualified as a Master Training Specialist (MTS).
In January 2006, he served as an Individual Augmentee assigned to United States Forces-IRAQ J4, Resources and Sustainment in Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In November 2006, he transferred to Naval Hospital Great Lakes, IL as Material Management Leading Petty
Officer then Leading Chief Petty Officer in 2007.
In January 2007, he volunteered as an Individual Augmentee assigned to Expeditionary Medical Facility-Kuwait
in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait as S4 and BIO-MED Leading Petty Officer. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 2007.
In January 2008, he transferred to USS ELROD (FFG 55) in Norfolk, VA as Supply Department Leading Chief
Petty Officer. Earned Battle “E” for excellence in all warfare areas. He completed two Mediterranean/African Partnership Station deployments in 2008 and 2010.
In January 2011, he volunteered for an Overseas Contingency Operations Support Assignment (OSA) to United
States Forces-IRAQ J4, Department of State (DoS) in Baghdad, Iraq as Senior Enlisted Advisor in support of Operation New Dawn.
In April 2012, he transferred to USS HOPPER (DDG 70) in Pearl Harbor, HI as Supply Department Leading Chief Petty Officer from April 2012 to July 2014. He completed a six month Dry-Docking Selected Restricted
Availability (DSRA) and a eight-month Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense deployment in the Fifth Fleet and Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibilities. He was selected into the Command Senior Chief Program February 2014. Additionally, his department earned the Inaugural First Place Medium Afloat Logistic Readiness Excellence Award for Surface Forces Ships.
In September 2014, he accepted the FDNF challenge and assumed duties as USS PIONEER (MCM 9) Command Master Chief. A graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 182 Khaki) and the Navy Leadership Ethics Center Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Capstone Course (Class 133). He completed a successful Command Master Chief tour on USS PIONEER (MCM 9). Earned Battle “E” for excellence in all warfare areas and two consecutive retention excellence awards.
In June 2016, he transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan where he assumed duties and responsibilities
as Command Master Chief for the largest Navy overseas Medical Treatment Facility serving over 47,000 beneficiaries on Okinawa and 188,000 in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Theater.
In November 2017, he transferred to USS PREBLE (DDG 88) Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i where he assumed duties and responsibilities
as Command Master Chief as principal advisor to the Commanding Officer on all matters concerning a crew of 375 Sailors on an Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer, premiere Greyhound of the Fleet. He completed a successful Command Master Chief tour on USS PREBLE. Completed two successful deployments, the premiere ASW ship of choice in Third - Seventh – Fifth Fleet AOR, qualified Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, earned two consecutive retention excellence awards.
In April 2019, he transferred to Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i, hand selected to fill critical (hot assignment) 36 month gapped billet, where he assumed duties and responsibilities as Command Master Chief as principal advisor to the Commanding Officer on all matters concerning a crew of 280 Sailors, 12 ships during Basic Phase and sustainment in accordance with Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP). Earned two consecutive USS BAINBRIDGE awards, qualified Afloat Training Specialist (ATS), Master Training Specialist (MTS), two consecutive retention excellence awards, Surface Navy Association (SNA) Pearl Harbor Chapter Vice-President with two consecutive Chapter Excellence award winner, qualified and authorized to wear Small Craft Insignia
In June 2021, he transferred to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Norfolk, Virginia, where he assumed duties and responsibilities as Command Master Chief as the principal advisor to the Commanding Officer - Big XO on all matters regarding a crew of 6,000 Sailors and their families. Completed deployment in 2021 to the U.S. FIFTH and SIXTH fleet areas of responsibility in direct support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL all while paving a seamless transition and on-time completion of IKE’s fiscal year 2021 Planned Incremental Availability and Basic Phase in accordance with Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) in 2023. As the force behind operational success, he guided America’s varsity away team at the tip of the spear maintaining maritime security, safeguarding regional access, and strengthening regional partners’ maritime capabilities. Earned Navy Unit Commendation Medal, FY’21 Retention Excellence Award, Battle “E” and RADM James “JIG DOG” Ramage award and Best of the Mess Culinary Arts Competition won by IKE’s amazing Culinary Specialist February 2023 in support of Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Foundation.
In April 2023, he transferred to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam - Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. Assumed duties and responsibilities as the Command Master Chief for Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam - Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. His responsibilities include the dissemination and promotion of Navy policies that affect the mission, readiness, morale, and welfare, of all JBPHH Sailors, Airmen, Civilians, and their families.
Master Chief Newsom personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (4 awards), Joint Achievement Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and various unit and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 6 December 2023