PENSACOLA, FL. – A 1994 Booker T Washington High School graduate and Pensacola, Florida, native is serving at the Navy’s premier and largest aviation training center.
Master Chief Petty Officer Mario Rivers works as the command master chief for Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.A Navy command master chief is responsible for being the voice of the enlisted sailors at a command and advising the command leadership.
“I am the advocate to the commanding officer on all enlisted matters, I advise him on programs and policies that affect our sailors and the joint services that are on this base,” he said.
“Being from Pensacola I was always around the Navy and one thing I take with me throughout my career is being a good and decent person and treating people how I want to be treated,” said Rivers.
NAS Pensacola, “The Cradle of Naval Aviation” is best known as the initial primary training base for all U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard officers pursuing designations as Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers.
It takes a lot of manpower to support and train pilots, but there is much more to this base that employs 16,000 military and 7,400 civilians. This includes major tenant commands: Naval Aviation Schools Command, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and 23, the Blue Angels, and the headquarters for Naval Education Training Command (NETC), a command which combines direction and control of all Navy education and training.
As the premier naval installation in the Department of the Navy (DoN) NAS Pensacola provides base and operational support functions such as quality of life, administration, logistics, facilities, comptroller, management administration and operations (airfield, port, security, fire and search and rescue).
“I’m so proud of the entire team throughout our aviation enterprise,” said Capt. Christopher T. Martin, Commander Naval Air Station Pensacola. “The future of NAS Pensacola is bright, and we’re only going to continue to adapt and evolve as we prepare to efficiently deliver the very best readiness from the shore.”
“As sailors forged by the sea, we will continue to be the Navy the Nation Needs. One of the Chief of Naval Operation’s Lines of Effort is what we do best, strengthening our Navy team for the future,” said Martin.
Rivers has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My uncle, father, and cousins have all served in the military,” said Rivers.
Pensacola stands up to the expectations and provides a perfect environment for the workers and their families. The citizens benefit from all the modern world advantages, from schools and hospitals to recreational areas, theaters, cinemas and multiple services.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Rivers and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
Rivers enjoys his job as command master chief and is also proud when his sailors succeed both in their professional and personal lives.
“Serving in the Navy means giving back to a community that has made me what I am today,” said Rivers. “I am able to influence other people to continue to grow so that they can be better sailors and better people. Serving in the Navy has given me the chance to positively influence other sailors so that they can reach their goals.”