Command Master Chief Putnam is a Harvey, Illinois, native and entered naval service Nov. 26, 1990, attending Recruit Training "bootcamp" in San Diego, California, followed by Fireman Apprenticeship School.
Serving as a Hull Technician, Command Master Chief Putnam's first sea tour was an eight-month assignment decommissioning the USS VULCAN (AR 5) in 1991. He then served on board USS John F Kennedy (CV 67) from 1991 to 1993, and attended ABF "A" school, followed by another sea tour on board USS America (CV 66) from 1993 to 1995. His next sea tour was on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) from 1998-2003.
In 2006, Command Master Chief Putnam rotated back to sea duty, serving onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) from 2006-2008, USS Essex (LHD 2) from 2008-2011, and USS George Washington (CVN 73) from 2012-2013, where he was selected into the Command Master Chief Program.
As a Command Master Chief, Putnam led USS Rushmore (LSD 47) from 2013 to 2014, USS Cowpens (CG 63) from 2014-2015, and U.S. Pacific Fleet from 2015-2018. He has served as Command Master Chief for Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command since Aug. 24, 2018.
Command Master Chief Putnam's shore duty assignments include Naval Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, from 1995 to 1998, and as a Recruit Division Commander for Recruit Training Command Great Lakes from 2003 to 2006.
Command Master Chief Putnam's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), Good Conduct Medal (seven awards) and various service and campaign awards. He graduated from the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy in December 2013, the Command Leadership Course in 2013, and the Navy Senior Leader Seminar at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, in 2017. He is a qualified Ship's 3MC and holds three Department of Labor military apprenticeships in Fuels System Management, Pumper-Gauger, and Firefighting. He also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Education with Baylor University.
