Force Master Chief Jerry V. Cantorna, Jr. is a native of Earlimart, California, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1997. After completing basic training, he graduated from Hospital Corps “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois, and Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton, California. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and is also a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center’s Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat program.

FORCM Cantorna’s operational tours include 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, IA deployment with 3rd Battalion, 12 Marines ISO Operation Iraqi Freedom; Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan (CSTC-A) via Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) Norfolk, two Pacific Partnership deployments (PP10, PP12) aboard USNS Mercy (T-AH 19); Senior Enlisted Leader for Joint Medical Group (JMG), Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and as Command Master Chief for Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 “Rough Riders” on Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

His shore tours include Naval Medical Center, San Diego; National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland; Command Senior Enlisted Leader at Naval Health Clinic Lemoore, California; Command Master Chief for Naval Base San Diego; and Command Master Chief for Naval Medical Forces Pacific.

FORCM Cantorna completed several schools to include Basic and Advanced Radiology Technologist “C” school;  CNIC Senior Shore Leadership Course (SSLC); New Flag and Senior Executive Training Symposium (NFLEX) 25; Flag and Executive Leader Implementation Course (FELIX) at the U.S. Naval War College; and the Keystone Course (25-1) at the National Defense University.

His warfare qualifications and personal awards include: Enlisted Aviation Warfare, Fleet Marine Force (ribbon), Surface Warfare Specialist, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit, campaign and service awards.

He assumed the duties as Force Master Chief at U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery on May 1, 2026.
 

Last Updated: 17 June 2026