Master Chief Robert Mendoza

Command Master Chief

Master Chief Petty Officer Robert Mendoza is Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic’s Command Master Chief, serving at the Hampton Roads Detachment in Norfolk, Virginia. Mendoza is first generation military and a native of Houston, Texas. He enlisted in the United States Navy and reported for basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois in October 1994.

Mendoza completed Airman Apprenticeship School, known today as the Professional Apprentice Career track (PACT) program, in December 1994 before reporting to his first command, the conventional aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in San Diego, California.

While assigned to this carrier, he was assigned to the Waist Catapults V-2 Division, working with the Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Launch and Recovery (ABE) rating, but would later cross rate and become an Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE).

In September 1996, he reported to Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) North Island Sea Operations Detachment (SEAOPDET). While assigned to SEAOPDET he deployed to Australia, Tasmania, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sasebo, Thailand, and Jabel Ali aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

His subsequent sea duty and overseas assignments include: Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM-15) – twice assigned, Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Six (VFA 146) - deploying 10 times to Bahrain, and aboard the following ships: USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), and USS George Washington (CVN 73). Additionally, he served as ship’s company aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) where he also is a plank owner.

Throughout his career, he completed deployments in the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Fleet areas of responsibilities and participated in Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

His shore duty assignments include tours at AIMD North Island in San Diego, California and Navy Recruiting District in Houston, Texas.

In October of 2020, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Three (VFA 83) at Oceana, Virginia, where, as Maintenance Master Chief, he led his squadron through various detachments and a deployment with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Final Countdown.

Mendoza is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 212) and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in human resource management, and a Master’s degree in business management.

Mendoza’s personal awards include: Enlisted Aviation Warfare; Enlisted Surface Warfare; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (10 awards) and various unit and campaign awards.