Photo By Sgt. Clay Beyersdorfer | U.S. Navy Master Chief Juan Lopez smiles for the camera at the Role 3 NATO...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – After 11 deployments and traveling around the world, one could say Command Master Chief Juan Lopez is winding down in his career in the U.S. Navy.
He says otherwise.
“The day I ‘have’ to do something is the day I will leave,” Lopez said. “I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I love what I do, I could never get tired of this.”
Lopez is currently serving on his 12th deployment, this time as the command master chief of the Role 3 NATO Multi-National Medical Unit Hospital, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
As the senior enlisted advisor to the command group at the hospital, Lopez acts as the “voice” for all the enlisted Sailors serving there.
“Any need they may have, I make sure it gets taken care of,” he said. “I take care of everything that may cause an issue for them, that way they can go focus on their jobs here.”
He also oversees the Chief Petty Officer 365 program, which is designed to help chief petty officers advance in their careers and eventually become senior chief petty officers and above.
Lopez talked about his motivation to emphasize the CPO 365, as well as the importance of being a chief petty officer.
“I want someone to eventually take over for me and be able to succeed at this position,” he said. “Once you become a chief, senior chief and master chief, it’s not about you anymore, it is about your Sailors. It isn’t a ‘job’ anymore, you have to be there and help guide these young people.”
Lopez has had a great deal of guidance from his family, most notably his father, who was a colonel in the Nicaraguan army.
His father, who Lopez said was a “highly decorated officer,” served in a multitude of positions – including as a liaison at the Pentagon.
“He was the youngest colonel to be that decorated and have the positions he had,” Lopez said. “There is a lot of history behind his name.”
Growing up in Nicaragua, Lopez was one of eight children in the family, but the only one who chose to follow in his father’s footsteps of serving in the military.
Before joining the Navy in 1986, Lopez lived with his sister in West Covina, Calif.
“She pushed me and helped me stay out of trouble, and supported me when I decided to join,” he said.
Since that time, Lopez has served in many different places, including, but not limited to Iraq, Haiti, Panama, every country in South America, Greece, and once before to KAF, serving as a corpsman with a Marine expeditionary unit.
Lopez talked about the difference between his first time at KAF and now.
“Back then I slept in a two-man tent and none of this was here,” he said. “Now coming back, I get here and just say ‘wow.’ It is crazy to think I will see the very beginning and the end of this place.”
Lopez said he is glad to give back and serve his country.
“I know we are all contributing to peace, and not giving the bad guys a chance,” Lopez said. “I am proud to be a part of that process.”
As he advanced in his career and traveled the world, Lopez has kept one particular thing in mind.
“You’re always contributing, no matter where you are at,” he said.
Looking back over his positions throughout the years, Lopez said his time as a command master chief has been his “favorite.”
“Being able to guide junior Sailors is very rewarding,” he said. “There is no greater feeling than seeing them succeed. I wouldn’t change serving here and being in the Navy for the world.”
As far as advice for any Sailor who he may come into contact with, he keeps it short and simple.
“Live by your Navy Code,” Lopez said. “Honor, courage, commitment and integrity.”
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.09.2014 00:54 |
| Story ID: | 125062 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CA, US |
| Hometown: | WEST COVINA, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 584 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Master chief serves on 12th deployment spanning 27-year career, by SGT Clay Beyersdorfer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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