Command Master Chief Virginia L. Horton is a native of Vacaville, California.  She joined the U.S. Navy in September 1999.  Following basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, she graduated Aviation Boatswain Mate “A” School and received orders to Aircraft Firefighting School at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.  In January 2002, she converted to the Master-at-Arms rate and subsequently received orders to Naval Station San Diego, California, and served as a patrolman and a command investigator. She is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 213 (grey) and the Command Master Chief (CMC)/Chief of the Boat course. 

In June 2005, she reported to Naval Station Bahrain as a water survival instructor and coxswain instructor.  In August 2007, she reported to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 64 in Portsmouth, Virginia, where she deployed to Arabian Gulf oil platforms in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  In September 2009, she reported to Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific, Bangor, Washington, as the leading chief petty officer of Alpha Company, 2nd Platoon.  In November 2013, she reported to Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton as the security department head and Directorate of Administration senior enlisted adviser (SEL).

In February 2017, she reported to Coastal Riverine Squadron 1 Detachment Guam as the SEL and N7 department head.  There she was selected into the Command Master/Senior Chief program.  In September 2018, she reported as the command senior chief of Littoral Combat Ship, Crew 217 in San Diego, where she commissioned the USS KANSAS CITY (LCS 22) and deployed onboard USS TULSA (LCS 16) to 7th and 3rd Fleets. In July 2021, she reported as the command master chief of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 10, forward deployed in Iwakuni, Japan, where is deployed twice on board the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). In October 2023, she reported as the CMC of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17.

She reported as CMC for the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training in May 2026.

Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.  She earned the Air Warfare, Surface Warfare, and Expeditionary Warfare devices, in addition to the Nuclear Weapons Specialist and Small Boat Craft insignias.  Additionally, she was selected as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Sailor of the Year, the Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership award, the Allen G. Odgen award, and the George H.W. Bush Daily Points of Light awards.
 

Last Updated: 2 June 2026