Master Chief Ronald T. O’Donnell, Jr.
Command Master Chief Ronald T. O’Donnell, a native of Danville, Illinois, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August of 1996. Upon completion of Recruit Training, Basic Submarine School, and Sonar Technicians Submarine “A” School, he reported to the USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in June of 1997. In March of 1998 after completing a depot modernization period, the submarine returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. O'Donnell earned his submarine dolphins and completed a Western Atlantic and Northern Deployment.
In November 2000, he reported to AN/BSY-1 “C” School in Groton, Connecticut, and then transferred to his second submarine the USS Springfield (SSN 761). He served as the sub's sonar division leading petty officer. While onboard, he completed two Mediterranean deployments.
In May 2004, he transferred to Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as an instructor of sonar courses, attack centers, and ship control trainers. In 2006, he completed his Master Training Specialist qualification, Associate of Science in Computer Science from Hawaii Pacific University, and was selected for the rank of chief petty officer.
In October 2007, he returned to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and reported to the USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) as the sonar and weapons department leading chief petty officer completing a deport modernization period. In February 2008, the USS Santa Fe left Portsmouth and transited through the Panama Canal returning to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in April 2008. While onboard, he completed a Western Pacific Deployment.
In March 2010, Chief O’Donnell transferred to the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team as the senior sonar evaluator. He evaluated over 50 pacific fleet submarines and training facilities on the operations and guidelines of submarine operations while in a wartime environment. In July 2010, he advanced to the rank of senior chief petty officer.
In May 2013, he advanced to master chief petty officer and after completing the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island, Master Chief O’Donnell reported to the USS North Carolina (SSN 777) as the chief of the boat. While onboard, he completed two Western Pacific deployments and the boat was awarded the 2015 Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 1 Battle Efficiency “E”.
In September 2016, he relieved as the command master chief of Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 11 in San Diego. While on staff across six assigned submarines, Undersea Rescue Command and the floating dry dock ADRM-5 ARCO, he oversaw the preparation and completion of seven deployments, three inter-fleet transfers, five dry dockings, and rescue operations to include the search and rescue efforts with the missing submarine, Ara San Juan.
In November 2019, he transferred to his current duty station as the command master chief of Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) San Diego, on Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
Master Chief O’Donnell has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (3), and various other personal, unit, and campaign ribbons and medals.