Command Master Chief

 
A native of Manassas, Virginia, Master Chief Kelly R. Wallen holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and is certified as a National Environmental Health Inspector.

Master Chief Wallen is a 1995 graduate of Cape Coral High School, Cape Coral, Florida. He entered the Navy in July of 1995 and attended Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois; followed by Hospital Corpsman “A” School in San Diego, California.

Upon completion of “A” school Master Chief Wallen reported to his first duty station, Naval Training Center, San Diego, where he served as a paramedic for a premiere pilot program and was a Pre-hospital Life Support Instructor. Additionally, he served as a Company Corpsman at Marine Corps Recruiting Base, San Diego, where he provided care for hundreds of recruits and their Drill Instructors.

Upon completion of his tour in San Diego, Master Chief Wallen transferred to Naval Hospital Guam in 1999, to serve as the Medical Evacuation Coordinator (MEDEVAC). While on station, Naval Hospital Guam was awarded the command Humanitarian Service Medal. In 2003, Master Chief Wallen was assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego, where he served as the Pediatric Departments Leading Petty Officer. During this tour he also served as the region Southwest Exceptional Family Member Coordinator.

In 2005, Master Chief Wallen was selected to Preventive Medicine Technician “C” school at Naval Health Sciences, San Diego, California. While in school he was advanced to First Class Petty Officer. Upon completion of school in 2006, Master Chief Wallen reported to the First Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Preventive Medicine Chief for Marine Wing Support Squadron 172. During his assignment he deployed more than six times and performed multiple multi-national missions throughout Seventh Fleet, including Operation Enduring Freedom missions. Additionally, he earned his Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist qualification while attached to the MAW. Once selected to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, he was fleeted up to serve as the Preventive Medicine Chief for 1st MAW, Camp Foster. His primary role was as the assistant Plans Operations and Intelligence Officer (POMI) for three continents and served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for 1st MAW.

Taking his Fleet experience back to the schoolhouse, Master Chief Wallen assumed instructor duties in 2011 at Naval Medical Training Support Command, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. As “Plank Owner” for the Preventive Medicine School, he served as Leading Chief Petty Officer, were he earned his Master Training Specialist qualification and was awarded Senior Instructor of the Year. During the last year of his tour, he was fleeted up to serve as Senior Enlisted Leader for Hospital Corpsman “A” School. In 2015, he then reported aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) as the Preventive Medicine Chief for over 5,200 Sailors. Shortly after arrival he earned his Surface Warfare and Air Warfare qualifications and was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. While aboard, the Command was awarded the Battle “E” award. In 2017, Master Chief Wallen reported to Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for four directorates, which included a diverse team of 325 officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel. Providing exceptional care for over 47K beneficiaries, well leading two of the largest and most productive directorates in a forward-deployed AOR, Master Chief Wallen co-led the development of the Naval Hospital Okinawa COVID-19 cell ensuring island-wide preparedness for the impeding COVID-19 pandemic.

Master Chief Wallen is married to his wife Sandra, with whom they share two children. His personal awards include: the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one silver star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with six gold stars, Pistol Expert Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, plus numerous unit commendations and awards.