Command Master Chief Charles A. Simonds, is a native of Clearwater, Florida. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 2003 and reported to basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion of basic training, Master Chief Simonds attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) and Navigation Electronics Technician “A” School in Groton, Connecticut.
His at-sea assignments as a Navigation Electronics Technician include USS MIAMI (SSN 755), completing two EUCOM deployments and one CENTCOM deployment and
USS BOISE (SSN 764) completing one EUCOM deployment and one CENTCOM deployment.
Ashore, his in-rate assignments include the Staff of Submarine Force Atlantic as the Operations Leading Chief Petty Officer, Submarine Squadron 6 as the Assistant Navigator, Submarine Readiness Squadron 36 Command Master Chief, Submarine Squadron 7 Command Master Chief, and Submarine Group Two Command Master Chief.
He attended the Senior Enlisted Academy resident course in September 2016 and the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat capstone course in January 2018 before reporting to
USS INDIANA (SSN 789) in May 2018 as Chief of the Boat, where he participated in the ship’s commissioning, initial homeport assignment to Groton, CT, and the maiden EUCOM deployment.
Master Chief Simonds earned a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership degree from the University of Charleston, West Virginia and is a graduate of Navy Senior Leader Seminar in Monterey, CA. He is a recipient of the Naval Submarine League Vice Admiral Charles a. Lockwood Award for Operational Excellence. His personal decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 Awards), Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (3 Awards). He is most proud of the five Battle “E” awards earned alongside outstanding teams.