Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – David Crawford, a native of Marksville, Louisiana, was promoted to the rank of master chief petty officer during a ceremony held at Navy Personnel Command, May 13.
He originally joined the Navy to broaden his view of the world.
“I joined the Navy to experience more of the world than just my small town and the United States,” said Crawford, a 1999 graduate of Marksville High School. “I wanted to experience how we as Americans influence parts of the world, and how we make relationships with different cultures to make the world a better place.”
Nearly 20 years after he joined, Crawford's family pinned his new rank, the highest enlisted pay-grade in the Navy, onto his collar during the ceremony in Millington, Tennessee.
“Being promoted to master chief is a great privilege and also a great responsibility,” said Crawford. “I now work for all 1201 sailors from my rating in the Navy. It’s my charge as a leader to ensure that they have what they need to do their job, and also take care of themselves.”
Crawford is a mass communication specialist (MC) assigned to Navy Personnel Command, currently working as the rating detailer for all MCs.
“I counsel and help every MC sailor in the Navy with their careers, ensuring they’re properly trained for the command they’re going to,” said Crawford. “The interaction I get to have with the sailors is very rewarding. I have the chance to communicate with every sailor in the MC rating, and that’s a very unique situation that you don’t really get in any other job in this rating.”
Navy Personnel Command’s primary mission is to “Man the Fleet,” to support the Navy’s manpower needs by assigning the right sailor in the right job at the right time. The command is involved with sailors everyday throughout their careers and lifetime, providing support through a full-spectrum of programs and services.
Crawford is a mass communication specialist (MC) assigned to Navy Personnel Command, currently working as the rating detailer for all MCs.
“I counsel and help every MC sailor in the Navy with their careers, ensuring they’re properly trained for the command they’re going to,” said Crawford. “The interaction I get to have with the sailors is very rewarding. I have the chance to communicate with every sailor in the MC rating, and that’s a very unique situation that you don’t really get in any other job in this rating.”
Navy Personnel Command’s primary mission is to “Man the Fleet,” to support the Navy’s manpower needs by assigning the right sailor in the right job at the right time. The command is involved with sailors everyday throughout their careers and lifetime, providing support through a full-spectrum of programs and services.
Crawford is the son of Tony and Ann Crawford, and the grandson of Richard and Rae Crawford, from Avolleyes Parish, Louisiana. He’s married to Leighann Crawford with two kids, Grey and Joleigh Crawford.
Crawford is also proud of graduating from Park University with his Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in communication and management with honors, earlier this year. He attributes this to drive and dedication learned from his time in the Navy.
“The Navy has made me a better person,” said Crawford. “You meet a very diverse group of people here, from all walks of life, and that diversity brings a uniqueness to the work environment that you don’t really get anywhere else. Because I joined the Navy and got to experience different cultures, meet lots of people and, in many ways, make an extended family, I’ve been able to develop and grow as a different person.”