Vincent W. Patton III

Last updated
Vincent W. Patton III
Vincent patton-USCG.jpg
Born (1954-11-21) November 21, 1954 (age 69)
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Service/branch United States Coast Guard
Years of service1972–2002
Rank Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Awards Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (2)
Coast Guard Commendation Medal (3)
Coast Guard Achievement Medal (3) with "O" Device

Vincent W. Patton III (born 1954) is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard in the United States.

Contents

Education

A 1972 graduate of Cass Technical High School, Patton was a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) during his high school years. Patton received his Doctor of Education degree in 1984 from the American University, Washington, DC. He has a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Chicago; a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Shaw College at Detroit, Michigan; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Pacific Union College, Angwin, California.

Career

Patton became the first African American selected as the service's senior-most enlisted ranking position as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard in 1998. His career included staff and operational assignments both afloat and ashore throughout the United States, and a joint military service assignment in Cuba and Haiti.

Patton served as the eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from May 1998 to October 2002. As the service's top senior enlisted leader and ombudsman, he was the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, his directorates, and the Secretaries of Transportation and Defense.

Related Research Articles

Master chief petty officer (MCPO) is an enlisted rank in some navies. It is the ninth enlisted rank in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, just above Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO). Master chief petty officers are addressed as "Master Chief " in colloquial contexts. They constitute the top 1.25% of the enlisted members of the maritime forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergeant Major of the Army</span> Senior enlisted member of the U.S. Army

The sergeant major of the Army (SMA) is a unique non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted soldier in the Army, unless an enlisted soldier is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman. The SMA is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of enlisted soldiers to all officers, from warrant officers and lieutenants to the Army's highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of staff of the Army. The exact duties vary depending on the chief of staff, though much of the SMA's time is spent traveling throughout the Army, observing training and talking with soldiers and their families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal</span> United States Coast Guard distinguished service medal

The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal (CGDSM) is a military decoration of the United States Coast Guard that was established 4 August 1949 and is presented to coast guardsmen for "Exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility." Prior to this date, members of the Coast Guard were eligible to receive the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, which replaced the Transportation Distinguished Service Medal in 2002, is another higher precedence Distinguished Service Medal that may be awarded to Coast Guardsmen. The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal is equivalent to the Army's Army Distinguished Service Medal, Naval Service's Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank A. Welch</span> 9th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Franklin A. Welch was the ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Coast Guard. Welch entered the Coast Guard in 1980 after graduating from Shades Valley High School Class of 1978, in Birmingham, Alabama. A former Master Chief Quartermaster, he served in office from October 10, 2002, to June 14, 2006, and served in the Coast Guard for over 26 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles W. Bowen</span> 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Charles W. "Skip" Bowen was the tenth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG). He assumed the position from MCPOCG Frank A. Welch on June 14, 2006, and was relieved on May 21, 2010, by Michael P. Leavitt. Bowen was previously assigned as the Officer-in-Charge of Coast Guard Station Marathon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Campa</span> 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

Joe R. Campa Jr. is a retired United States Navy sailor who served as the 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Sergeants Major Academy</span> Military unit

The United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) was established on 1 July 1972 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and began instruction in January 1973. Its curriculum is designed to broaden the student's current knowledge base. This approach differs from the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) related training at the basic and advanced levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. The prime educational technique employed throughout the course is the small group participatory learning process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hagan (sailor)</span> 8th Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy

John Hagan is a retired senior sailor of the United States Navy who served as the eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard</span> Senior enlisted member of the US Coast Guard

The master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) is the senior enlisted member of the U.S. Coast Guard and the principal advisor to the commandant of the Coast Guard on all enlisted personnel matters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Command Senior Enlisted Leader Identification Badges</span>

Command Senior Enlisted Leader Identification Badges are special United States Navy and United States Coast Guard badges which are issued to the most senior Chief Petty Officer or higher in a given U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard command. The command may either be a shore or sea unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric A. Trent</span> 7th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Master Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Eric Anthony "Rick" Trent served as the seventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from July 1, 1994, to May 31, 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven E. Day</span>

Steven E. Day is a United States Coast Guard rear admiral whose final duty assignment was Director of Reserve and leadership, (CG-13). In this role he commanded the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He previously served as the US deputy commander for mobilization and reserve affairs, Atlantic Area, US Coast Guard.

Chief Petty Officer (CPO) is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, is above Petty Officer First Class and below Senior Chief Petty Officer. The term "rating" is used to identify enlisted job specialties. In this way, enlisted personnel are segregated into three segments containing different enlisted ranks. Furthermore, rates are broken down into three levels: non-rated members without a designated occupation. Advancement to E-4 and above is dependent on graduating from a specialty school that define what the enlisted is rated for. Petty officers and chief petty officers are part of the rated force and considered extremely knowledgeable about their particular rating. Examples include Culinary Services Chief and Aviation Maintenance Chief. The Chief Petty Officer is the rank. Gunners Mate is a rating. E7 is a pay grade. The term rating is used to identify the career field of a chief petty officer. For example, the title of a chief petty officer in the Master-at-Arms rating would be spoken or spelled out as Chief Master-at-Arms. The title would be abbreviated MAC. The grade of chief petty officer was established on 1 April 1893 in the United States Navy. The United States Congress first authorized the Coast Guard to use the promotion to Chief Petty Officer on 18 May 1920. Chief petty officer is also the final cadet grade in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Officer (armed forces)</span> Person in a position of authority

An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael D. Stevens</span> 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy

Michael D. Stevens is a United States Navy sailor who served as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON). He became the 13th MCPON on September 28, 2012, when he accepted the passing of the ceremonial cutlass from outgoing MCPON Rick D. West. He was succeeded by Steven S. Giordano on September 2, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven W. Cantrell</span> 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Steven W. Cantrell previously served as the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. He was relieved, and retired from active duty on May 17, 2018, after nearly 35 years of service. Prior to being named the 12th MCPOCG, he was Command Master Chief of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area, based in Portsmouth, Virginia. Cantrell was also the Coast Guard's 12th Silver Ancient Mariner, an honor bestowed upon the enlisted member holding the enlisted cutterman qualification the earliest. Cantrell was succeeded by MCPOCG Jason M. Vanderhaden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. Jay Lloyd</span> 6th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Robert Jay Lloyd was the sixth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, serving as the enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, from 1990 to 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason M. Vanderhaden</span> 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Jason M. Vanderhaden is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Coast Guard who served as the 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from May 17, 2018 to May 19, 2022. As MCPOCG, Vanderhaden served as the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard on all enlisted personnel matters. As a matter of protocol, this gave him precedence equal to that of a three-star officer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heath B. Jones</span> 14th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Heath B. Jones is a United States Coast Guard serviceman who serves as the 14th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard since 19 May 2022. He serves as the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard on all enlisted personnel matters. As a matter of protocol, this gives him precedence equal to that of a three-star officer.

References

    Military offices
    Preceded by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
    1998–2002
    Succeeded by