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News
NEWS | June 15, 2019

Getting to Know Fleet Master Chief Derrick Walters

By U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

No, that’s not Vin Diesel walking down the halls of the C4I building or the spine at U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, although he does bear an uncanny resemblance to the actor. And though he isn’t a movie star, he does wear two stars: it’s your new Fleet Master Chief (FLTCM), Derrick Walters!

FLTCM Derrick "Wally" Walters relieved FLTCM Raymond Kemp as Fleet Master Chief for commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (CNE-CNA) May 13, 2019 at the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy. Since then Walters has been busy visiting our Forward Deployed Naval Forces and participating in the D-Day 75 ceremonies to include a HALO jump, a Lone Sailor dedication ceremony, and the reenactment of the Frogman swim (you can see various pictures of FLTMC Walters in action here:  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/cne-cna-c6f/albums/72157709061124282)  

In case you’ve missed the teasers providing highlights about FLTCM Walters on our social media channels; here’s the facts!  
He hails from New York City, New York, where he spent most of his childhood. Walters then moved to Western Pennsylvania and graduated from Johnstown Vo-Tech High School in 1987. He enlisted in the Navy in August 1987 and attended boot camp at Naval Recruit Training Center, Orlando, Florida.

After completing recruit training and Intelligence Specialist "A" school, Walters entered the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT)/SEAL pipeline and successfully completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, Class 154. Walters completed his SEAL training and graduated with his original class in 1988, a feat accomplished by only six percent of SEAL candidates!


Additionally, he was the first Navy SEAL selected to serve in one of the four Navy-billeted Fleet Master Chief positions. He was pinned Chief Petty Officer in 1996 and Master Chief Petty Officer in 2005 and has nine operational deployments under his belt. Navy Chief, Navy Pride!

It’s easy to forget that Fleet isn’t superhuman, so we asked him to share a little about himself.
Walters says the characteristics that best describe him are humility and resiliency. His current music playlist includes 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar and he enjoys running, water sports, weightlifting, and fishing, but - most importantly - spending quality time with his family.

3 Fleet Favorites

Favorite quotes:

“Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“The only easy day was yesterday.” – U.S. Navy SEALS motto

Favorite Book: We Die Alone by David Howarth

Favorite sports team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Now that you met your new Fleet: Fleet Master Chief Derrick ‟Wally” Walters, U.S Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, join us in saying “Welcome Aboard, Fleet!”
 
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.