FLTCM Lateef N. Compton

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Fleet Master Chief

Command Master Chief Petty Officer, Lateef N. Compton was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from Bloomfield High School and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1994. He attended Mess Specialist, “A” School in San Diego, California and reported for duty to the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) in Norfolk, Virgina.

Ashore, CMDCM Compton served as the Community Base Housing (CBH) Manager and Front Desk Supervisor while stationed at Naval Education and Training Center (NETC) in Newport, R.I., from December 1998 to January 2002. In 2002, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT TWO (VFA-82) where he completed two deployments onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) and on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

CMDCM Compton reported to Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia as Recruiter-in- Charge, Zone Supervisor, and Command Managed Equal Opportunity Manager. In January 2009, he returned to sea duty onboard USS O’KANE (DDG 77) as the Supply Department Leading Chief Petty Officer and there he was selected as a Command Senior Chief (CMDCS) and directed to joint leadership training at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (Class 61).

In August 2011, he reported to Littoral Combat Ship USS CORONADO (LCS-4) as the Command Master Chief, where he brought her to life. In October 2014, he transferred to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Naples, Italy for his first major command tour.

CMDCM Compton was then selected as the first Senior Enlisted Leader for Combined Maritime Forces, Bahrain; a joint military assignment working with 38 Coalition partners for Maritime Security in the Middle East. Subsequently, in January 2020, he help lead the charge for the pandemic at Naval Base San Diego, one of the largest naval facilities in the world.

January 2022, he was selected as the 16th COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT Command Master Chief, leading the charge for personnel and mission readiness for the entire CENTCOM AOR. Assisting the Commander across the fleet for all maritime operations; sustained the quality of life for over 15,000 U.S. and coalition forces, and their families.

November 2023, he was selected as the first Senior Enlisted Advisor for OPNAV N7 to assist with enlisted “Warfighting” and streamlining education programs across the fleet.

In May 2024, he was selected as the 19th Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa.

CMDCM Compton has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Management from Park University and a graduate degree in Arts from The University of Texas at El Paso with a concentration in leadership. He is also a graduate of the Keystone Course (Defense University 16-2), the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, the Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy, Navy Leadership Senior Seminar, and FELIX.

His personal decorations include a Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit citations. He is married for over 26 years and has two daughters and one granddaughter.