The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training officially welcomed its new command master chief April 16.

Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Marler assumed the position from Master Chief Petty Officer Todd Strebin, who will move on to become the command master chief at nearby Naval Aviation Schools Command.

Marler, a Houston, Texas, native, comes to CNATT after serving as command master chief at the Maritime Expeditionary Security Group, Detachment Guam.  He’s no stranger to Pensacola, after starting his Naval aviation career in aviation ordnanceman “A” school.  He expressed his excitement to get going here at CNATT.

“To have the opportunity and privilege to return and be a part of the team responsible for the success and effectiveness of Naval aviation is priceless,” Marler said.  “I am humbled and excited to join the team.”

Marler added that he was amazed at the size of the organization and team.  The level of professionalism and knowledge of the staff he’s already met has impressed him, too.

Strebin, who had served in the position since April 2018, cited the “large footprint” of CNATT, which has 28 learning sites across the U.S. and one in Japan, as one of the unique challenges of serving as its command master chief.

“I was truly humbled to be selected to work at such a large domain and with such a professional staff,” Strebin said.  “This has been one of the best and toughest tours of my 31 years in the military, but I’d do it all over again.”

Strebin’s dedication to the mission is one of many positive traits CNATT Commanding Officer Capt. Bryant Hepstall will remember about him, in spite of their opposing college football views.

“Strebin was someone I considered the ‘the Sailor’s sailor,” Hepstall said.  “He spent significant time mentoring and talking with the Sailors who came through CNATT, as well as providing guidance and sound advice to the 28 different command senior enlisted leaders inside the CNATT domain. He was a sounding board and valued member of my leadership team.”