# James Honea

James M. Honea is a United States Navy sailor serving as the 16th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy since 8 September 2022. He was previously the Senior Enlisted Leader of United States Indo-Pacific Command from August 2021 to June 2022.

## Naval career

After attending basic training at Recruit Training Center San Diego, California, in 1987, Honea began his navy career as a Boatswain's Mate on USS John A. Moore (FFG-19). He continued to rise through the ranks, serving aboard amphibious assault ships. His sea assignments include USS Juneau (LPD-10), USS Dubuque (LPD 8), and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). When he achieved the rank of command master chief, he continued to serve at sea aboard the destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), and later another amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18).
Honea's shore tours include service as the command master chief of United States Navy Embedded Training Teams, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, deployed to Afghanistan; as the command master chief at Naval Support Activity South Potomac; as the command master chief of United States Naval Forces Korea; and most recently as the fleet master chief of United States Pacific Fleet.
Honea completed the Command Master Chief Course and Senior Enlisted JPME Keystone Course at the National Defense University. He is also a graduate from the United States Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
He assumed the office of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on September 8, 2022 from Russell L. Smith.

## Personal life

Honea married Evelyn in 1989 when he was stationed in Long Beach, California. They have two children, James and Sara.

## Awards and decorations

| Badge | Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia |
| 1st row | Defense Superior Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal | Legion of Merit with one gold award star | Legion of Merit with one gold award star | Meritorious Service Medal with four award stars | Meritorious Service Medal with four award stars |
| 2nd row | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three award stars | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three award stars | Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
| 3rd row | Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze service star | Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze service star | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star | Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device | Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device |
| 4th row | Navy Good Conduct Medal with two silver service stars | Navy Good Conduct Medal with two silver service stars | National Defense Service Medal with service star | National Defense Service Medal with service star | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
| 5th row | Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars | Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with service star | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with service star |
| 6th row | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Korea Defense Service Medal | Korea Defense Service Medal | Humanitarian Service Medal | Humanitarian Service Medal |
| 7th row | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and four bronze service stars | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and four bronze service stars | Navy Reserve Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | Navy Reserve Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with two service stars | Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with two service stars |
| 8th row | NATO Medal (Non-Article 5) | NATO Medal (Non-Article 5) | Navy Expert Rifleman Medal | Navy Expert Rifleman Medal | Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal | Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |
| Badge | Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia | Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia |
| Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge |
* Nine gold service stripes