Photo By Chief Petty Officer Brian Morales | 210506-N-YB753-0010 WASHINGTON (May 6, 2021) From left, Senior Chief Yeoman Michael...... read more read more
WASHINGTON, D.C.— A native of Sanford, Florida and graduate of Ashford University, received the Meritorious Service Medal during an award ceremony at Commander, Navy Installations Command Headquarters aboard the Washington Navy Yard, May 6.
Senior Chief Yeoman Michael Mason serves as the flag writer to CNIC since June 2019 and retires after 20 years of naval service in June 2021.
“I grew up in Lake Mary, Florida and certainly we were taught to serve the community and strive to become something greater,” said Mason. “I played baseball and was in the marching band, so I have always lived in a sense of structure and to serve something bigger than myself.”
Serving as a flag writer, Mason is assigned exclusively on the personal staff of flag officers to write speeches, edit naval correspondence and schedule travel plans for events among other executive services.
“I began my career as a submarine yeoman providing legal, pay and administrative services to a crew of over 150 personnel,” said Mason. “I went on to become a flag writer, a special program, where I served as the primary executive assistant to senior executives and flag officers. U.S. Navy flag writers are the only special program that exists to provide this senior level technical writing and executive support to all services.”
While adapting the highly dynamic day-to-day operations to assist the CNIC commander’s focused efforts in leading the shore enterprise during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mason also acted as the protocol officer for a year and coordinated the CNIC virtual change of command ceremony.
“Despite challenges, we remain the premiere and most technological advanced Navy in the world and I would like to think that I contributed some small part to its many hundred years of success,” said Mason.
Additionally, Mason guided the regional flag writer coordinator in managing a community of 150 flag writers across the Navy and led a team of senior enlisted leaders in facilitating training of over 200 Sailors for the Navy wide advancement exam.
“I am a Sailor and a Chief and these memories will always be a part of how I carry myself going forward for the remainder of my life,” said Mason. “I have learned many lessons, some good and some not, but I have learned lifelong skills and made lifelong friends and would do it all over again the same way.”
With more than 53,000 military and civilian personnel worldwide across 10 regions, 70 installations, and 123 Naval Operations Support Centers, CNIC is responsible for the operations, maintenance and quality of life programs to support the Navy's Fleet, Fighter, and Family.
“I have served at 10 commands in my career and 3 flag officers at Navy Installations Command,” said Mason. “Navy Installations Command is diverse and provides essential services to the fleet, Sailor and family and its mission is certainly one I enjoyed supporting in my past 2 tours here. I enjoyed working with the Sailors and civilians, as well as the flag officers. I will miss my time on the [Washington] Navy Yard and the genuine sense of duty and desire to make a difference that all those employed at Navy Installations Command possess.”
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2021 13:50 |
| Story ID: | 396723 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 160 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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