Command Master Chief Waddell was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and Graduated from El Capitan High School in 2001. In August of 2001, he enlisted in the Navy and attended RTC in Great Lakes, IL.

Command Master Chief Waddell’s first permanent assignment was inboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in Norfolk, VA where he served as an Aviation Ordananceman assigned to G-3 Division and was later converted to an Engineman. After attending Engineman “A” School he was assigned to Assault Craft Unit One where he deployed to 3rd and 4th Fleet Area of Operation onboard LCU 1629 as Second Engineer in support of PANAMAX and UNITAS 2006 where he was advanced to Engineman Second Class. In June of 2007 he reported to Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit in Pensacola, FL., and reported to Navy Recruiting District New England for assignment in duty as NRS Portsmouth, NH.
 
In July 2011 he reported to USS Taylor (FFG 50) where he was advanced to First class petty officer and assigned to “A” division as Leading Petty Officer, deploying to the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Ocean Shield, and 6th fleet deployment is support of Black Sea operation in 2014 conducting maritime patrols during the Sochi Olympics. After decommissioning of USS Taylor he was selected for follow on assignment to Navy Recruiting District Raleigh, for assignment at NRS Sylva, where he was selected for Chief Petty Officer in 2015. Upon his selection to Chief we was transferred to HQ to provide support as the Delayed Entry Program Manager. In 2018 he was selected for orders onboard USS Frank Cable (AS 40) in Guam, where he served as the Safety Department LCPO, providing safety oversight to visiting ships and submarines in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. In 2020 he was selected for orders to serve as the ISIC 3MC and N4 DLCPO of Commander Surface Division Eleven, supporting Maintenance and Engineering for 7 rotational crews on 4 ships, where he was subsequently selected for Senior Chief Petty Officer, and was selected for Command Senior Chief.
 
He was later assigned As the Command Senior Chief of the USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) for 3 months and was transferred to the USS Manchester (LCS 14) Gold, where he was ultimately selected for Command Master Chief.

In August of 2025, Command Master Chief Waddell reported to Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE THREE.
 
 He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 255 (Brown) and CMC/COB Course 23070. He has earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Resource and Technology Management from Troy University and has a Master’s of Science in Human Resource Management from Strayer University.

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service medal,  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal (eight awards), and various personal, unit and campaign awards.
 

Last Updated: 19 September 2025