Command Master Chief

Command Master Chief Jerry Cantorna
Command Master Chief, Naval Medical Forces Pacific

 
Command Master Chief Cantorna, a native of Earlimart, California, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1997.  After he completed basic training, he graduated from Hospital Corps “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois, and Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton, California.
 
Master Chief Cantorna’s assignments include: 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, Twentynine Palms, California (1998-2001); Naval Medical Center, San Diego (2001-2004, 2013-2017); National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland (2005-2009); USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) (2010-2013); Command Senior Enlisted Leader at Naval Health Clinic Lemoore, California, Command Master Chief for the Rough Raiders of VFA-125 on Naval Air Station Lemoore, California; and Command Master Chief for Naval Base San Diego.
 
Master Chief Cantorna’s operational and combat deployments include: Unit Okinawa, Japan (3rd Bn, 12th Marines); Individual Augment, in support of Operational Iraqi Freedom (OIF) with 1st Force Service Support Group (FSSG)/CSSB-10/Shock Trauma Platoon-1 (STP-1) in 2003; Global Support Assignment (GSA) via ECRC Norfolk, where he was forward deployed to Afghanistan with the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A) in 2009; Pacific Partnerships 2010 and 2012 onboard the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19); and an IA as Senior Enlisted Leader for the Joint Medical Group (JTF), Joint Task Force (JTF) - Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2016.
 
He has completed several specialty schools to include: Basic and Advanced Radiology technologist “C” school; Command Career Counselor; Command Managed Equal Opportunity; and the Senior Enlisted Legal Course, and CNIC Senior Shore Leadership Course.
 
He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  He is also a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (class 218 – Brown Group) and the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center’s Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat program (class 204).
 
Master Chief Cantorna has earned three warfare qualifications, Enlisted Aviation Warfare, Fleet Marine Force (ribbon) and Surface Warfare Specialist.  His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit, campaign and service awards. 
 
Master Chief Cantorna assumed duties as Command Master Chief for Naval Medical Forces Pacific on April 17, 2024.