Navy Diver Master Chief Chad Christopher Wascom enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1996 and attended boot camp at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. He graduated Sonar Tech “A” School in San Diego, California, and reported to his first duty station aboard USS Scott (DDG-995) in Mayport, Florida where he served as a Sonar Tech and qualified as a Search and Rescue Swimmer. His next assignment was to the USS John L. Hall (FFG-32) in Pascagoula, Mississippi where he served as Sonar Supervisor and member of the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team supporting counter drug operations with the U.S. Coast Guard.
In 2000, he reported to the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Panama City, Florida and graduated Second Class Dive training. That same year, then Sonar Tech 2nd Class Petty Officer Wascom reported to Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) Pacific Northwest. He expeditiously qualified as Surface Supplied Air Diving Supervisor and served as the dive locker LPO as a second class diver. Upon completion of his tour at IMF, he returned to NDSTC and completed First Class Dive training, with follow on orders to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU). While serving as a Saturation Diver at NEDU, Wascom was promoted the Chief Petty Officer. In order to establish the Saturation Fly Away Dive System (SATFADS) Wascom extended his tour at NEDU and was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2009. Senior Chief Wascom then reported to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One (MDSU -1) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where served as the Leading Chief Petty Officer of Company 1-3 executing Salvage Operations and Anti-Terrorism Force Protection dives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Senior Chief Wascom transferred to Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO (NSWU TWO) Stuttgart, Germany. During that overseas tour, he served as the Command Diving Officer, supporting multinational engagements and emergent diving requirements for both EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility. In 2016, he transferred from Germany to the Center for EOD and Diving (CEODD) where he served in a Master Diver billet and managed the Navy Divers Occupational Standards and PQS programs. One year later, he transferred to NDSTC, where he trained and instructed future divers in a multitude of courses to include Second Class Diver, First Class Diver, Diving Medical Officer and international students. In 2019, Senior Chief Wascom attended Master Diver evaluations and earned the U.S. Navy Master Diver designation. His next assignment was at the newly establish NEDU Saturation Detachment (NSD) where he served as the Operations Master Diver. During his tour at NSD, his team was responsible for conducting two manned open ocean Saturation Dives to depths down to 600 feet of sea water and re-establishing operational saturation diving capabilities that had been lost for over 10 years.
NDCM (MDV/EXW/SW) Chad Wascom assumed the duties as Command Master Chief at NEDU on April 16, 2022. His awards include various personal and campaign commendations.