MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (MCPO) — U.S. NAVY E-9
The Navy's most senior enlisted leader — Command, Force, Fleet, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
OVERVIEW
Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) is the U.S. Navy's most senior enlisted paygrade at E-9. MCPOs serve in the most senior enlisted billets in the Navy — Command Master Chief (CMC) at the unit level, Force Master Chief (FORCM) at Type Commander and Numbered Fleet level, Fleet Master Chief (FLTCM) at numbered fleet and component-command level, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) — the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations.
MCPOs wear the fouled-anchor device with two silver stars above the anchors. Special-billet MCPOs (CMC, FORCM, FLTCM, MCPON) wear distinctive devices that incorporate gold stars and other symbols indicating their billet.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Command Master Chief (CMC) — senior enlisted advisor to a commanding officer at the unit level
- Force Master Chief (FORCM) — senior enlisted advisor at a Type Commander or Numbered Fleet
- Fleet Master Chief (FLTCM) — senior enlisted advisor at a numbered fleet or component command
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) — senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations
HISTORY
Congress created the E-9 grade in 1958. The position of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) was established in 1967 as the Navy's senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations and to the Secretary of the Navy.
The Force, Fleet, and Command Master Chief programs were formalized in subsequent decades to ensure a dedicated senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer at every echelon — from a single ship up to the four-star fleet commander.
SPECIAL BILLETS
- Command Master Chief(CMC)Senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer at the unit level — aboard a single ship, squadron, or shore activity.
- Force Master Chief(FORCM)Senior enlisted advisor at a Type Commander (e.g., Naval Surface Forces, Naval Air Forces, Submarine Forces) or Numbered Fleet headquarters.
- Fleet Master Chief(FLTCM)Senior enlisted advisor at a Numbered Fleet or Navy Component Commander (e.g., U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe).
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy(MCPON)The Navy's senior enlisted leader and the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy. The position was established in 1967 and is currently the only "MCPON" in the U.S. Navy at any given time.
PAY
- Pass the Navy-wide E-9 advancement exam
- Selection by the Master Chief Petty Officer selection board
- Selection by separate panels for CMC, FORCM, FLTCM, and MCPON billets
- Command Master Chief (CMC) at a ship, squadron, or shore command
- Force Master Chief (FORCM) at a Type Commander headquarters
- Fleet Master Chief (FLTCM) at a Numbered Fleet or component command
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), Pentagon