Master Chief Joseph A. Morales, a native of Washington D.C., enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1998, and after graduating boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended Signalman "A" School. He completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training in 2001. He is a graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy and the Navy’s Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat course. 
 
His assignments include SEAL Team 7, where he deployed to U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility including the Philippines, Rep. of South Korea and Iraq; Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command, where he served as the department leading petty officer and leading chief petty officer (LCPO) in charge of open and closed-circuit diving; Special Reconnaissance Team (SRT) 1, where he successfully completed four deployments -- two deployments as the LCPO in support of Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) in Kabul, Afghanistan, a deployment to Lebanon as LCPO of Special Reconnaissance Troop (SRTRP) Delta at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, and a deployment in support of Special Operations Task Force-Iraq with SEAL Team 3 as SRTRP Delta senior enlisted advisor; SRT-1 Shore Duty Detachment as the training department senior enlisted advisor; SRT-1 as operations department master chief and fleeted up to be the SRT-1 command master chief; and Naval Special Warfare Command as command master chief and deputy force master chief. 
 
Morales reported to Naval Special Warfare Leadership Education and Development Command as command master chief in September 2024.
 
His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and numerous unit and campaign awards. 
 

 

Last Updated: 24 September 2024