Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Biographies

Command Master Chief Virginia L. Horton

Jerron K. Barnett — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:11:47 GMT

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.

Captain Dena B. Risley

Jessica Nilsson — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:29:09 GMT

Captain Dena Risley, is a native of Slidell, LA. She entered the Navy through the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program in 2000, and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, FL in 2001. She is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Business Administration (Financial Management), and The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Executive Development Program.

Captain Vic Sheldon

John Goulette — Fri, 15 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Capt. Victor Sheldon graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in ocean engineering and holds a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Capt. Christopher A. May

Wade Buffington — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Capt. Christopher A. May, a native of Ilion, New York, enlisted in the Navy in January 1992 and completed Electronics Technician (ET) “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. In February 2004, he was commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer Program. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Naval Post Graduate School.

Lieutenant Commander Shineka Haskins

Buffington — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Lieutenant Commander Shineka Haskins graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Rockford IL, in June 1999. Mindful of the privilege to serve her fellow Americans, she enlisted in the United States Navy on January 27, 2000, and commenced active duty service at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, February 2, 2000.

Command Master Chief, Shareef A. Willis

Buffington — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Command Master Chief Willis is a native of Phoenix, AZ. He enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1997. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he completed Operations Specialist “A” school training, Virginia Beach, VA.

Lieutenant Commander Garret Walton

Vince Little — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:22:44 GMT

Lt. Cmdr. Garret Walton, a Salt Lake City native, graduated from University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. He holds a master’s degree in computer science from Naval Postgraduate School. Walton reported to Information Warfare Training Command Virginia Beach as executive officer in February 2026.

Commander Peyton Price

Vince Little — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:47:12 GMT

Cmdr. Peyton Price, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and commissioned as a cryptologic warfare officer. He earned a Master of Science in cyber systems and operations from Naval Postgraduate School in 2016 and doctorate in industrial and systems engineering from Mississippi State University four years later. Price reported to Information Warfare Training Command Monterey as commanding officer in April 2026.

Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Devin J. Thompson

Jerron K. Barnett — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:50:41 GMT

Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Devin J. Thompson, a native of Vinita, Oklahoma, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois in September 1998. Upon completion of recruit training, he attended ATD School in Chicago, Illinois, in December 1998.

Commander Douglas A. Kesterson

Jerron K. Barnett — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:42:15 GMT

Cmdr. Douglas A. Kesterson, a native of San Antonio, Texas, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1999 as an aviation ordnance technician. He was commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program in October 2011. He holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University.

Captain Christopher J. Hanneke

Jerron K. Barnett — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:32:56 GMT

Captain Christopher J. Hanneke, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, was commissioned in 2014 through a four-year Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarship to the University of Mississippi. Upon completion of his junior year, he reported to Officer Candidate’s School (OCS) during the summer of 2017. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Homeland Security from the University of Mississippi. In the summer of 2018, he reported to The Basic School where he was eventually designated as an aviation maintenance officer.

Commander Shawn Horigan

Jerron K. Barnett — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:32:38 GMT

Commander Shawn Horigan enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1995 as an aviation structural mechanic. He received his commission through the Limited Duty Officer program in October 2009. He holds both Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Command Master Chief Adam S. Eaker

Jerron K. Barnett — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:49:45 GMT

Command Master Chief Adam S. Eaker, a San Diego native, enlisted the U.S. Navy in March 1998 and attended basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational management from Ashford University. He is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy Residence Course, Class 175, (Green Group), Command Master Chief Course, Major Command Master Chief Course, National Defense University Keystone Class 18-2, Navy Senior Leadership Seminar, Executive Leadership Seminar, and Senior Shore Leadership Course.

Lieutenant Commander Luslaida Barbosa

Press Operations — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:46:00 GMT

A native of Gurabo, Puerto Rico, Lt. Cmdr. Luslaida Barbosa enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1996 as a clarinet instrumentalist and served at U.S. 7th Fleet Band, Navy Band Southeast and Naval Forces Europe Band. Other duties included operations coordinator, ceremonial band conductor, unit leader and drum major, while also performing as lead vocalist and clarinet instrumentalist in support of European and African theaters of operation and the Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

CAPTAIN TAVIS J. LONG

Press Operations — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:33:00 GMT

A native of Dover, Ohio, Captain Tavis J. Long graduated from Pensacola Christian College in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education (History). He attended Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his Master of Divinity degree in 2004. He completed a Doctor of Philosophy from Bethany Divinity College and Seminary in 2006. In 2013, he received his diploma in Joint Professional Military Education I from the Naval War College; and in 2016 he earned a Master of Arts with a concentration in Ethics and Public Affairs from George Mason University.

Commander Carlos Carballo

Press Operations — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:25:49 GMT

Cmdr. Carlos Carballo is a native of North Hollywood, California and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2000. He received his Bachelor of Science in International Relations and earned his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2009. He holds a master’s degree in National Security Affairs – Western Hemisphere and completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I from the Naval Postgraduate School. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Anti-Submarine/Anti-Surface Warfare Tactics Instructor program.

Lieutenant Commander Austin Gallegos

Jerron K. Barnett — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:37:59 GMT

Lt. Cmdr. Austin “Waffles” Gallegos, a native of Alabama, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and was commissioned in 2014. He completed primary flight training at Training Squadron (VT) 28 and Advanced Flight Training at Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 8, earning his wings of gold in May 2016.

Lieutenant Commander Alexander K. Morris

Press Operations — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:20:30 GMT

A native of Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Morris commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Math and Statistics. He is a qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer and Diving Officer.

Commander Matthew Sanchez

Buffington — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:51:00 GMT

A native of San Diego, California, Commander Matthew Sanchez. He enlisted in May 1997 as a Sonar Tech (Surface). Upon completion of Recruit Training, he attended “A” school and Digital electronic school where was awarded class “honorman”. Prior to attending “C” school he was selected for Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST), and spent 9 months in Newport, Rhode Island where he was awarded a NROTC scholarship. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, and his Masters in Human Resource Management through Trident University. He was commissioned through NROTC in May 2004 and was designated Student Naval Aviator. Upon release from flight school due to RIF in 2006, CDR joined the Navy Reserves as a Human Resources Officer.

Commander Matthew Sanchez

Wade Buffington — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:24:00 GMT