Command Master Chief Damon Leggins was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, and raised in Shabuta, Mississippi. He enlisted in the United States Navy on June 3, 1998, attending Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois.  His first assignment was aboard USS Gary (FFG 51) in San Diego, California, as a member of the Repair Division. In 1999, following a full deployment, he participated in a crew swap with USS Thach (FFG 43), completing one deployment before transferring in 2001 and advancing to Damage Controlman Second Class (DC2).  In 2002, he reported to Pre-Commissioning Unit USS Shoup (DDG 86) in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where he helped commission the ship and completed a counter-drug deployment in South America before transferring in 2004.  That same year, he completed Master-at-Arms “A” School in San Diego, California, and was assigned to NAS Kingsville, Texas, as a Patrolman. Excelling as a Watch Commander, he volunteered for an Individual Augment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, conducting detainee operations for eight months. Upon returning to NAS Kingsville, he advanced to DC1 in 2006.  In August 2007, he reported to USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) in Yokosuka, Japan, as the Repair Division Leading Petty Officer. In 2010, he attended Senior Damage Control School in San Diego, California, before transferring to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in December. He was selected for Chief Petty Officer in 2011, serving as the Damage Control Division Leading Chief Petty Officer.  In December 2012, he reported to Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, where he completed 45 Damage Control training and assessment missions aboard 15 warships and qualified as an Engineering Assessment Pacific Gas Turbine Assessor. In October 2015, he reported to USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) as the Repair Division Leading Chief Petty Officer and was selected for Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2016.  In October 2020, he reported to Training Maintenance and Inspection Team (TMIT) San Diego, California. He screened for Damage Control Master Chief in March 2023 and reported to USS Nimitz in July 2024 as the Senior Damage Controlman. He converted to Command Master in March 2024 and  currently serving as Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 Command Master Chief.  Command Master Chief Leggins is a graduate of Columbia Southern University, holding an Associate and Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and a Master’s degree in Project Management.  He is married to Ella and together they have raised four beautiful kids. 

Previous Commands:
FFG 51 GARY                                                                       Oct 1998 to Aug 1999
FFG 43 THACH                                                                     Aug 1999 to Jan 2002
DDG 86 SHOUP                                                                    Jan 2002 to Feb 2004
NAS KINGSV TEX                                                               Apr 2004 to Jun 2007
DDG 56 JS MCCAIN                                                            Jun 2007 to Jul 2010
CVN 68 NIMITZ                                                                   Jul 2010 to Oct 2012
AFLTRAGRUMP P H                                                           Oct 2012 to Oct 2015
USS RAFAEL PERALTA (DDG 115)                                  Oct 2015 to Oct 2020
Tycom Material Inspection Team                                           Oct 2020 to Jun 2024
CVN 68 NIMITZ                                                                    Jul 2024 to Jul 2025
VFA 113                                                                                  Aug 2025

Personal awards:
3- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals
7- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals
6- Navy Good Conduct Medals

NEC’s:  U46A:  DCASE.  8CFL: COMMAND FITNESS LEADER. 805A:  INSTRUCTOR. 8SEA: GRADUATE OF THE U.S. NAVY SENIOR ENLISTED ACADEMY (SEA). 805G: EXPEDITIONARY FORCE DETAINEE OPERATIONS GITMO.