Command Master Chief Richard A. Alvarado, a native of Daly City, Calif., graduated from Westmoor High School in June 1993, and attended Skyline College from 1993-1997. He enlisted in the Navy on 29 August 1997 and completed basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. He attended Storekeeper “A” School in Meridian, Miss., graduating at the top of his class, and later converted to Logistics Specialist.  Master Chief Alvarado holds an Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts from Skyline College and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Trident University International.
 
His sea duty assignments include USS Constellation (CV 64) as General Storekeeper USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) as Department Leading Petty Officer, USS Rentz (FFG 46) as Leading Chief Petty Officer, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as Lead Logistics Specialist and Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. Deployments include service in the U.S. 3^rd Fleet, U.S. 5^th Fleet, and U.S. 7^th Fleet areas of responsibility.
 
His shore duty assignments include Navy Recruiting District San Francisco as Recruiter and Recruiter in Charge, Naval Hospital Lemoore as Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program Counselor, Center for Personal and Professional Development Pensacola as Instructor, Naval Special Warfare Group Two Logistics and Support Unit as Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, and NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella-Site Naples as Senior Enlisted Leader.
 
Master Chief Alvarado is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 185). He is a qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare, Aviation Warfare, Information Warfare, and Master Training Specialist.  He was selected to the Command Master Chief program in February 2023 and reported to VP-46 for his first CMC tour thereafter.
 
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (eight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), Military Outstanding Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (eight awards), as well as various unit awards, campaign and service decorations.