CMDCM Shannon Howe Command Master Chief
Master Chief Shannon Howe was born in Worcester, Mass., and raised in Litchfield, Conn. She graduated from Litchfield High School and enlisted in the United States Navy in July of 1988, attending Recruit Training Command Orlando, Fla.
After boot camp Master Chief Howe reported to Cryptologic Technician Technical “A” and “C” Schools in Pensacola, Fl. In the fall of 1989 she reported to the Naval Communication Station Rota, Spain, as a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Correlation of Recognized Emitters Operator, providing SIGINT in support of Cold War operations. During her tour she advanced to Third Class Petty Officer.
In June of 1991 Master Chief Howe reported back to Pensacola for Bullseye Outstation Operations “C” School, earning distinction as Honor Graduate. In October of 1991 she reported to Naval Security Group Activity Northwest, Va., as a Crosshair Net Management Center Supervisor for Atlantic based ships and world-wide shore sites.
In the winter of 1994, Master Chief Howe accepted Aircrew orders and reported to Brunswick, Maine, where she attended Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School. Following SERE she traveled back to Pensacola for Signals Analysis “C” School, again achieving Honor Graduate distinction. In April of 1994 Master Chief Howe completed Naval Aircrew Candidate School and in May she arrived at Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall, England. There she served in an Air Force exchange billet as one of two Sailors in the 488th Intelligence Squadron flying on board the Air Force RC-135 RIVET JOINT platform. During her tour as an Airborne Special Signals Analyst, she had the opportunity to serve in Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, ALLIED FORCE, JOINT ENDEAVOR, NOBILE ANVIL, DESERT FOX and several other smaller operations. Notification of promotion to First Class Petty Officer came to her while on one of her many deployments to “Tent City” in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
In May of 1999 Master Chief Howe returned stateside to Md. where she attended the cryptanalysis-intensive, CK-155 Cryptologic Operations School, again earning Honor Graduate. Upon completion of CK-155, she transferred to NSA/CSS, Fort Meade, Md., for a tour involving intensive cryptanalysis and leadership challenges. During her tour she was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
In December of 2002, Master Chief Howe reported aboard the Mighty Cruiser PORT ROYAL (CG-73) in Pearl Harbor, Hi., as the OT Division LCPO. During this tour she participated in Operations ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM. By the many outstanding accomplishments of her Sailors on PORT ROYAL, she was promoted to Senior Chief.
In November of 2005, Master Chief Howe attended Journeyman Instructor Training, RDC School, and the Senior Enlisted Academy en route to assignment as the Brigade and 7th Company Senior Enlisted Leader at the United States Naval Academy. During that very demanding yet rewarding tour, thanks to an outstanding Chief’s Mess and highly motivated Midshipmen, she was promoted to Master Chief.
In July of 2009 Master Chief Howe reported aboard NIOC Menwith Hill, UK to serve as the Command Master Chief (CMC). In February of 2011 after officially being selected to the CMC program, she joined the crew of USS SAN JACINTO (CG-56) to serve as their CMC.