Command Master Chief Dan Messenger was raised in Homestead, Fla.  A graduate of South Dade Senior High School in June 1986, he enlisted in the Navy under the Delayed Entry Program and entered into active duty service on July 14, 1986.  After completing Recruit Training in San Diego, CA, and various schools at Service School Command, Great Lakes, IL, he received orders to USS McInerney (FFG 8) in Mayport, FL, where he became a designated striker for the Quartermaster (QM) rating.  On McInerney, he achieved the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class, and qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) and Officer of the Deck (Underway).

In 1992 he reported to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL, Waterfront Brig for duty as a corrections specialist and counselor. 1994 took him aboard USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG 13) in Charleston, SC, where he was assigned as Leading Quartermaster.  During this tour he re-qualified Officer of the Deck (Underway), and advanced to both 1st Class and Chief Petty Officer.

In 1999, Messenger reported to Service School Command, Great Lakes, IL, as Course Supervisor for QM and SM "A" schools. There, he led his department in achieving a zero-percent attrition rate for the first time in base history. Also during this tour, he was certified as a Master Training Specialist (MTS).

In 2002, he reported to USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in Mayport, FL, where he was assigned as Navigation Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.  While there, he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer, and was part of the successful deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Kennedy's final cruise.

He left Big John in 2005 and attended the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), and the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 119, Blue) with follow-on orders to Center for Personal and Professional Development, Learning Site Mayport, FL, as Senior Enlisted Advisor, where he was responsible for facilitating Command Managed Equal Opportunity (CMEO), Command Training Team Indoctrination (CTTI), and Alcohol and Drug Awareness for Managers and Supervisor (ADAMS) courses for the southeast region.  During this tour he was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer, and was selected for the Command Master Chief program.

His Command Master Chief tours include USS Boone (FFG 28), Mayport, FL; NAS Key West, FL; an IA assignment to the Navy’s Expeditionary Guard Battalion at Joint Detention Facility Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and reported to the VIPERS of HSL-48 in November of 2012

Messenger has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals, five Navy Achievement Medals and numerous other distinguished service and campaign medals and ribbons.

He is married to the former Kimberly Farr of Waycross, GA.  They have two children Jacob and Zachary, and he has two daughters Brandi and Kaitlin.

If you have questions please contact CMDCM Messenger.