NORTH SEA– If you walk by the chapel of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), during gospel service you may hear a passionate voice and soulful tune being played on the piano. The voice sings a song of resiliency, and the hands striking the keys know more than just their dance. They know hard work and dedication.
The music is emanating from Chief Personnel Specialist Daniel McFadden. He plays like this even after he faced Captain’s Mast and was “busted down” in rank. He pushed forward from that low point for his junior Sailors, his family and himself. That drive allowed him to get to where he is today.
McFadden has also weathered change; he wasn’t always a PS. He started his Navy career as an Operations Specialist, until he was forced to re-rate amidst an overmanning crisis in 2012.
McFadden was attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 11 on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) where he learned the basics of his new rate. It didn’t prepare him to be the administrative caretaker of 210 Sailors, which is the role he found himself in when he arrived on the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) as the Personnel Officer. The role was a little out of scope for a 1st Class Petty Officer.
“I was buried in work,” said McFadden. “There was enough work to go around that could have kept me on that ship 24/7.”
McFadden struggled to keep up with the work load. He didn’t see help as an option; whether to ask for it or hope that someone would take notice and guide him.
“I didn’t express the struggles of the office,” said McFadden. “I tried to take on everything by myself and wasn’t communicating that up the chain. But there was no chain there was only the CMC who I reported to.”
Eventually, McFadden’s struggles were noticed, but not in the way he had hoped. McFadden was sent to Captain’s Mast for neglecting Sailors’ pay issues.
“I made it seem like I wasn’t taking care of people,” said McFadden. “Over time, when that stuff piles up, and you’re not communicating and they’re just finding out, things are too late.”
McFadden entered his Mast as a 1st Class. When he left, he was a 2nd Class.
“My initial thought was ‘you’re saying I’m a dirt bag so I’m going to give you a dirt bag’,” said McFadden. “But the Sailor in me wouldn’t allow me to do that.”
Despite his demotion, McFadden remained the Personnel Officer. There was no one else who could do the job. Recognizing this, the Forrest Sherman Chief’s Mess took him under its wing. McFadden considers this as the turning point in his career, as the Mess gave him the guidance he sorely needed.
“The Chief’s Mess was looking out for me and checking up on me,” said McFadden. “Through their support, I was able to show resilience and keep going rather than just quit.”
McFadden had reached a point where it wasn’t about proving himself anymore. He knew he could do it. It was time to put his new-found knowledge and experience to the test.
Personnel Specialist 1st Class Malaysia Taylor soon arrived on Forrest Sherman as a 3rd Class in much the same situation as McFadden when he checked-in. Except she was at even more of a disadvantage as a Reservist re-rated from Quartermaster with no experience in her new job field. However, she was hungry to learn. McFadden, inspired by Taylor’s passion, made it his mission to ensure that she wouldn’t repeat his mistakes.
“He instantly took me under his wing,” said Taylor. “Mentorship started day one.”
Together they didn’t just work in Admin Department, they were Admin Department. They didn’t just crunch the numbers, they crushed them.
“He was a hard worker and took passion in his job,” said Taylor. “He cared for every Sailor who he served.”
Meanwhile, McFadden had no idea his commanding officer was keeping tabs on him. The CO would ask the Chiefs Mess about him weekly. McFadden’s performance was noticed. So, when he was sent up to the CO again, it wasn’t because he was struggling. It was because he was resilient.
The same CO who busted him down gave McFadden his rank back by way of set aside. The non-judicial punishment and adverse action came off his record.
“He wrote on my set aside letter that I kept on the pack,” said McFadden. “That means I kept pressing. I kept working hard. I didn’t give up.”
When he received the news, he cried tears of joy. The first person he called was his wife.
“My family is my why,” said McFadden. “So, when that was taken away from me, my heart was broken.”
Now, he felt like he had to prove that what happened changed him for the better. He moved on to his next duty station, Fort Bliss, where he would win Non-commissioned Officer of the year and be selected for Chief shortly after.
McFadden doesn’t use his power or rank to lead, said Taylor. He leads by example and looks after his junior Sailors on the Gerald R. Ford.
“He’s one of my favorite Chiefs I’ve worked with,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Castilleja. “He’s always willing to help us with anything, whether that’s paper work, answering questions, or taking the time to sit and talk with us.”
McFadden went through hardships throughout his Navy career, but endured them with fortitude. The mistakes he made and what he learned from them have become lessons he shares with his shipmates.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said McFadden. “Never give up in the face of adversity.”