Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

CMDCM Billy Ward was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Muncie, Indiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy under the delayed entry program on June 23, 1981, and attended boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, graduating September 5, 1981. After completing his basic training, Master Chief Ward attended and successfully completed Radioman “A” school in San Diego, California.

Master Chief Ward’s first duty assignment was Fleet Area Control Surveillance Facility, Naval Air Station, North Island, California. During the brief tour, he advanced to Petty Officer Third Class. He then transferred to the USS Fletcher (DD 992) where he was deployed to the Pacific/Arabian Gulf and was advanced to Petty Officer Second Class while working in the communications center. Following his tour onboard the Fletcher, Master Chief Ward return to Service School Command, San Diego, California, as an instructor. It was there that he qualified as a Master Training Specialist and was advanced to Petty Officer First Class. Upon completing his tour as an instructor, he transferred to the USS Ranger (CV 61).

Once aboard the Ranger, he made his second deployment to the Pacific/Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm/Shield. While on this deployment, he earned both his Enlisted Aviation and Surface Warfare designators and was selected to Chief Petty Officer.

Ward’s sea duty continued with a short tour aboard the USS Bristol County (LST 1198). He then transferred to Afloat Training Group Pacific, San Diego, California, where he was selected to advance to Senior Chief Petty Officer. He then transferred to the USS Essex (LHD 2) where he made his third deployment to the Pacific/Arabian Gulf.

In August of 1999, Ward joined the Staff of Command Cruiser Destroyer One (CCDG1), where he was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer and made his fourth and fifth Pacific/Arabian Gulf deployments onboard the USS Constellation (CV 64). It was during this tour that he was selected into the Command Master Chief program.

Prior to assuming this title, he attended and successfully completed the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 100, Green Group) in Newport, Rhode Island. After his graduation, Master Chief Ward transferred back to the West Coast where he held his first assignment as a Command Master Chief with Carrier Airborne Warning Squadron One One Six (VAW-116), the Sun Kings.

It was with the Sun Kings that Master Chief Ward made his sixth deployment to the Pacific/Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom onboard the USS Constellation (CV 64). In March 2003, he transferred to Commander, Airborne Early Warning Wing, U. S. Pacific Fleet. During this tour Master Chief Ward earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of La Verne in Organizational Management. In December 2005, Master Chief Ward, reported to the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) homeported in San Diego, California as the Command Master Chief. During this tour Master Chief Ward made his seventh and eighth Arabian Gulf /Western Pacific deployments also, earning the Battle “E” award. In February 2009, he transferred to Assault Craft Unit One.

His personal awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, one Navy Achievement Medal, along with numerous other campaign awards.