Command Master Chief S. C. Redden

Command Master Chief, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135

26 October 2020 Command Master Chief Steve Collins Redden, a native of Sarasota, Florida.  He is married and has two sons. He reported to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL on November 24, 1997. After completing Basic Training in February 1998, he reported to NTC Great Lakes, IL for Hospital Corpsman (HM) “A” School and graduated June 10, 1998.

Upon completing HM “A” school, his first fleet assignment was with 2D Marine Division as a Hospitalman Recruit (HR) where he served as a Line Corpsman. Following the completion of Naval Aircrew School and Aviation Medicine Technician, he reported as Hospitalman to HELANTISUBRON FIVE (HS-5) Night Dippers, in May 1999 and was promoted to Hospital Corpsman Third Class in July 1999. While attached to HS-5, Master Chief Redden served as a Combat Search and Rescue (SAR) Corpsman and the Squadron Corpsman. During his tour with HS-5, he completed two ship board deployments, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, February 2000, and USS John F. Kennedy, February 2002. During this time he also deployed to Afghanistan in April 2002. It was during this tour that America experienced the attacks of 9/11 and a young HM2 Redden and the crew of the USS John F. Kennedy helped defend the Eastern Seaboard.  During this tour Command Master Chief Redden earned his Naval Aircrew Wings (NAC), Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Qualification (EAWS), and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) Qualifications. After this tour Command Master Chief Redden deployed again with the Marines of I MEF in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

 In June 2003, Command Master Chief Redden reported to Patrol Squadron (VP-46) Forty-Six Grey Knights. He earned his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Qualification (EAWS), P-3C Aircraft while assigned to VP-46. Command Master Chief Redden also transferred in 2005 to Groton, CT where he attended Submarine Independent Duty Corpsman School.  In 2005 Command Master Chief Redden was promoted to Hospital Corpsman First Class (HM1). During his tour in Submarines he was constantly reminded of his calling and fondness of being with the Marines and Aviation. After his split tour was approved, Command Master Chief Redden was given orders once again to serve with the Marines.

In May 2006, he reported for duty to 2D Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aircraft Group Two-Six (MAG-26), Marine Corps Air Station New River. In June 2007 Command Master Chief Redden earned his Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Qualification (FMF). During this time Command Master Chief Redden qualified as a Combat Air Crewman (CAC) and Aerial Gunner in the CH-46E, MH-53E, and the MV-22B aircrafts. He also deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan during his tour at MCAS New River. During the combat deployments, Command Master Chief Redden flew CASEVAC missions to evacuate the wounded from the battlefield, transport patients to higher levels of care Hospitals and Field Hospitals, and help save numerous lives in the process.  Command Master Chief Redden was advanced to Chief Petty Officer in August 2008. During his last deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009, he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the Aviation Combat Element.  His leadership and foresight was instrumental in the withdrawal/transition of critically needed Medical Personnel and Marine Corps Aviation Assets from Iraq into Afghanistan.  All of this accomplished with no loss of life or equipment.

In June 2010, Command Master Chief Redden reported for duty to Navy Recruiting District Seattle, where he served as the Lead Medical Officer Recruiter and the Command Managed Equal Opportunity Representative. He was selected as the Medical Officer Recruiter of the Year for NRD Seattle for FY 2012 and FY 2013. Command Master Chief Redden was promoted to Senior Chief in June 2014. Command Master Chief Redden reported for duty to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa Japan in April 2015 for assigned duty as Acting Command Master Chief.  In August 2015 he became the unit’s Senior Enlisted Leader. He reported in July 2017 to Naval Hospital Oak Harbor and assumed the duty as the Deputy Command Master Chief of Naval Hospital Oak Harbor and was reassigned as the Command Senior Chief in October 2017. In February 2018 Command Master Chief Redden was board selected and promoted into the Command Senior Chief Program.  In May 2018 he was once again board selected and promoted to Command Master Chief.  In August 2018 Command Master Chief Redden reported for duty, as the VAQ-135 “World Famous Black Ravens” Command Master Chief.

Command Master Chief Redden is a Graduate of the U.S Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy Class 186 (Brown Group), CMC/COB Course 18120 and Executive Medical Department Enlisted Course. He has completed three tours of duty to Afghanistan and three tours of duty to Iraq.  His personal awards include the Air Medal with 2 strike flight awards, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (nine awards), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO ISAF Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal (five awards), Recruiting Gold Wreath (fifteen awards) and multiple other unit awards. Command Master Chief Redden has qualified and is authorized to wear the following warfare devices: Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Combat Air Crewman (CAC), Naval Air Crewman (NAC), Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS), and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS).