Contact the Master Chief
Master Chief Mark A. Butler enlisted in the Navy via the delayed entry program in August 1984. He attended U.S. Navy Basic Training in April 1985 in San Diego, CA. After completion of Basic Training, he attended Aviation Electronics Technician "A" School and Advanced First Term Avionics (AFTA) training in Millington, TN. Following his initial avionics training, he reported to NAS Pensacola, FL where he completed Naval Aircrew Candidate School.
His first tour of duty was with Patrol Squadron 17 (VP-17) at NAS Barbers Point, HI, where he served from 1987 to 1990 and qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. In 1991, after completion of Avionics "C7" school in Millington, TN, he transferred to Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit One (VPU-1) at NAS Brunswick, ME, Where he served as a special mission operator from 1991 to 1994. His next tour was as a P-3 Avionics Weapon Systems Instructor at Naval Air Maintenance Training Group (NAMTRAGRU) Det. Jacksonville at NAS Jacksonville, FL. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in September 1994. From 1997 to 2000, he served as AAV/ARM Division LCPO, NATOPS Division LCPO, and Combat Aircrewman with Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) onboard NAS Jacksonville, FL. It was while attached to VP-16 that he was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. His next assignment took him back to NAMTRAGRU, but at the headquarters in Pensacola, FL, where he served as the P-3 maintenance training curriculum and training systems LCPO from 2000 to 2004. Master Chief's first shipboard deployment was while assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 (VAW-126), where he served as the Quality Assurance supervisor and Maintenance Control LCPO from 2004 to 2007. He deployed onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, and was promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer.
Master Chief Butler is a graduate of the United States Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 110 (Khaki), and the Navy's Command Master Chief Capstone Course Class 60, in Newport, RI. He assumed the duties as Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213) Command Master Chief at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA in June 2009. During that assignment he led 240 sailors through a seven month deployment aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) during her maiden deployment. Following that tour he assumed the duties as Command Master Chief of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two (HSC-2) in January 2012.
Personal decorations include the Air Medal (with combat distinguishing "V"), Navy and Marine Corps commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), Good Conduct Medal (6 awards), Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, and Naval Aircrew Insignia.
He is married to the former Debbie Haglestein of Long Island, New York. They reside in Chesapeake, Virginia and have six children and one grandchild.