Mike Stevens, master chief petty officer of the U.S. Navy, plans to retire from the military after four years in that role, Navy Times reported Wednesday.
Mark Faram writes Stevens pushed for an expansion of the Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy and the implementation of a policy to require sailors aiming for a higher enlisted rank to attend the SEA program.
He told  Navy Times in a phone interview he will recommend that the Navy consider “all command master chiefs who are currently or have served at least 18 total months in a billet at the three or four-star level” as eligible to apply for the MCPON post.
The 33-year naval veteran previously led the military branch’s Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron 14 and Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic units as well as the U.S. 2nd Fleet.
He took on his current role Sept. 28, 2012, after two years as the 16th Fleet master chief for commander.
