Command Master Chief

 HMCM (SW/EXW/AW) Christopher M. Cariss
Master Chief Christopher Cariss, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered the U.S. Navy November 9, 1998. His initial training consisted of Recruit Training Command and Hospital Corpsman “A” School, Great Lakes, IL followed by Field Medical Service School Camp Lejeune, NC, then Aerospace Medical Technician School in Pensacola, FL.

In April 2000, he reported to his first command, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 11 (HS-11) and deployed with Carrier Air Wing 7 onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 69) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. December 2003, he transferred to Patrol Squadron 5 (VP-5) and completed deployments to SOUTHCOM and EUCOM. Cariss attended Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) “C” School in San Diego, California, May 2006, and graduated in June 2006. He reported to SEAL Team 2, July 2007, embedded in One Troop and completed deployments to SOUTHCOM and CENTCOM in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. May 2010, he then transferred to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Logistics and Support Unit and completed a deployment to CENTCOM in support of Operation New Dawn. Cariss reported to USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) June 2012 and served as IDC and Deck Department lead chief petty officer (LCPO) for the ship’s final deployment to CENTCOM, and decommissioning ceremony March 28, 2014. The next month he transferred to USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and served as IDC and Navigation and Admin Department LCPO.

He reported to Commander, Naval Surface Squadron 14 (CNSS-14) April 2016, as an intermediate superior in command (ISIC) preceptor and IDC program manager for 24 ships. Also, during this time, he served onboard USS Zephyr (PC 8) for multiple patrols as IDC, command senior chief, and qualified officer of the deck underway. In April 2019, he reported to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Manama, Bahrain, and served as Force IDC in Fifth Fleet. He transferred to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Mayport, August 2020, and served as senior enlisted leader. August 2023, he reported to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Jacksonville as senior enlisted leader for the Director of Branch Health Clinics overseeing 5 NMRTU’s.
In August 2025, Cariss reported to Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) in Silver Spring, Md, and assumed the role of Command Master Chief.
 
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), Iraq Campaign Medal, and numerous campaign and service awards.