Command Master Chief Michael Bates

Command Master Chief, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8

06 June 2021

Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Michael Bates entered the Navy January 1988 attending Recruit Training Command in San Diego, California. Followed by Damage Controlman "A" School in San Francisco, CA.

His tours include: USS DETROIT (AOE-4), USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7), USS SAVANNAH (AOR-4), and USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) upon his completion of 9 years of sea duty he transferred to his first shore duty Afloat Training Group Norfolk.  It's during this tour that he was initiated to Chief Petty officer in 1998. He then transferred neutral duty on AFDL-6 DYNAMIC where he became a NAVSEA certified Dock Master. He then transferred back to sea duty onboard USS NICHOLAS (FFG-47) where he qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW). Following this tour he reported to Commander Patrol Coastal Squadron, during this tour he was advanced to Senior Chief. He then returned to sea duty onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) as Engineering Department LCPO, where he was awarded the COMANAIRLANT Leadership Award 2010 and Swamp Fox Leadership Award 2011. He then transferred to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), during this tour he was advanced to Damage Control Master Chief and one year later selected into the Command Master Chief Program.

Command Master Chief Bates’ CMC tours include Strike Fighter Squadron Three Seven June 2013 to May 2015, Strike Fighter One Zero Six May 2015 to Oct 2017 and he is currently serving as the Command Master Chief COMMANDER CARRIER STRIKE GROUP EIGHT.

He holds an Associates of Science in Marine Engineering, is a 2008 graduate of the Navy's Senior Enlisted Academy and a 2013 graduate of the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course.

Command Master Chief Bates' awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (7 awards), and numerous individual, Campaign, and Unit awards.