Master Chief Petty Officer Jason DeGraaf, a Vermont native, graduated from Great Lakes RTC in 1999.  He attended Mess Management “A” school in San Antonio Texas, where he received the Accelerated Petty Officer award.  After MS “A” school he attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS), where he received distinguished graduate honors and the William H. Purdam Award for Leadership.  Upon graduation he received orders to the USS HONOLULU (SSN 718) stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
From October, 1999 to November, 2004, he served on board the HONOLULU, as a member of the Food Service and Dive Division.  During his tour he completed three Western Pacific Deployments, three Eastern Pacific Deployments, and an Artic Deployment.  In addition to earning his Dolphins, he also completed U.S. Navy Dive School and was promoted to Petty Officer First Class.

Following his Sea Tour, he was selected to serve as the Enlisted Aide to Commander of the Submarine Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC).  Shortly into his tour he was selected to serve as an Enlisted Aide the
Vice President of the United States, The Honorable Richard B. Cheney.  In April of 2006 he reported to the Vice President’s Residence at the Naval Observatory and shortly after was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. In 2009 he was promoted to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.
                                                                                                                     
Master Chief would then serve aboard USS SHOUP (DDG 86), in Everett WA. where he served as the Supply Department Leading Chief Petty Officer and also as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL).  As CSEL he completed a ten-and-a-half-month Western Pacific Deployment.  As DLCPO, his department received an Excellent on INSURV and SMC and was awarded the Blue “E” throughout his tour.  Upon completion of his tour, he was selected to serve as the Senior Enlisted Aide to the Director of Naval Reactors, and shortly thereafter the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral John M. Richardson.
 
During his tour with the CNO, he was selected to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. Following his CNO tour he was selected to serve as the Senior Enlisted Aide to the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck.
 
Master Chief’s most recent Sea tour was at Commander U.S. SEVENTH Fleet, in Yokosuka Japan, permanently embarked aboard USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19), as the N4 Fleet Logistics Master Chief. There he was selected to the CSEL program.
 
Master Chief is a 2005 graduate of Starkey International Institute for Estate Management, and holds an Associate’s Degree in Hospitality (with Honors) from American Military University.  He is a Senior Enlisted Academy Alumni (Class 198 Gold) and Dean’s list member. Additionally, he is a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and United States Naval Academy, Stockdale Associate Fellowship Program graduate.  He holds certifications as a CrossFit Level II and Kids Trainer and Bronze Level Coach through USA Wrestling.
 
Master Chief’s personal awards include: The Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (4).  He has been a part of teams that have earned: The Battle Efficiency Award (2), National Unit Citation (2) and the Meritorious Unit Citation (3).
 
Master Chief is married to the former Ruth King, of Franklin, North Carolina.  They have three amazing children, Ella (14), Patrick (12) and Audyn (12) and reside in Anacortes, Washington.                                                                                                                                                           

Last Updated: 6 September 2023