Command Master Chief Benjamin H. Bilyeu is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and enlisted into the United States Navy in 1996. Subsequently, he graduated from Recruit Training Command, and Airman Apprenticeship Training School in Great Lakes, IL.
 
He then reported to the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) in Bremerton, WA from February 1997 to October 2002. While aboard, he executed the 1997-1998 Around the World deployment in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, and advanced from an undesignated Airman Recruit to an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) Petty Officer Second Class.
 
His follow-on tour was Navy Recruiting District Kansas City from December 2002 to December 2005. While there, he was advanced to First Class Petty Officer in 2005, and qualified as a Recruiter-In-Charge (RINC).
 
He then reported to the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in Norfolk, VA from December 2005 to October 2011. In 2008, he was inducted into the CPO Mess as a Chief Petty Officer. While aboard, he provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the country of Haiti in support of Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE, and executed the 2010-2011 combat deployment in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN.
 
His follow-on tour was Naval Support Activity Washington, DC (NSAW) from October 2011 to April 2014. In 2012, he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. Due to a gapped NSAW CMC billet, he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Washington Navy Yard and five additional fencelines. During which time on 16 September 2013, he provided sound council to his Commanding Officer throughout the Washington Navy Yard “Active Shooter” attack, the largest attack in history on a Naval Installation. In 2014, he was selected into the Command Senior Chief program.
 
He then reported as the Command Senior Chief to the Bloodhounds of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ZERO (VX-30) in Point Mugu, CA from June 2014 to October 2016. While there, he executed the 2014 Missile Defense Agency Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense FTX-20 Flight Mission. In 2015, he was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer.
 
His follow-on tour was as the Command Master Chief to the Fighting Blacklions of Strike Fighter Squadron TWO ONE THREE (VFA-213) in Virginia Beach, VA from October 2016 to May 2018. While embarked aboard USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), he executed the 2017 combat deployment in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
 
He then reported as the Command Master Chief to Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW-1) in Virginia Beach, VA from June 2018 to January 2021. While embarked aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), he executed both the 2018 Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) combat deployment in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, and the 2019-2020 deployment in support of Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and RESOLUTE SENTINEL.
 
His follow-on tour was as the Command Master Chief to Training Support Center San Diego from February 2021 to September 2021. While there, he served as the command’s final CMC due to the disestablishment of Training Support Centers.
 
He then reported as the Command Master Chief to Navy Munitions Command Pacific, CONUS West Division in Seal Beach, CA from September 2021 to September 2023. While there, he served as U.S. Pacific Fleet’s ordnance mobilization command providing global fleet ordnance support of conventional munitions to operational forces worldwide directly supporting Navy, Joint, and Allied forces.
 
He currently serves as the Command Master Chief to Commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE.
 
His academic achievements include the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Capstone Course, National Defense University Keystone Course, and the Naval Justice School Senior Leader Legal Course.
 
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various other unit and campaign awards.