Master Chief Neal Olds joined the Navy in December 1990. Following graduation from Recruit Training Command Orlando, Florida, he began his training in the Naval Nuclear Power Program as a Machinist’s Mate.
His sea tours include tours of duty at USS HAWKBILL (SSN 666) as a member of Machinery Division, completing two western Pacific deployments; USS ALASKA (SSBN 732)(BLUE), where he served as the Machinery Division Leading Petty Officer and Assistant Safety Officer; USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731)(BLUE) as the Machinery Division Leading Chief Petty Officer and USS HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN 730)(BLUE) Engineering Department Master Chief.
He has served ashore at Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pacific Northwest (PACNORWEST) as the Lead Project Coordinator, and at the United States Naval Academy where he served as the Brigade Master Chief and 3rd Company Senior Enlisted Leader.
Olds was selected for the Command Master Chief Program in February 2013. His serving tours as Command Master Chief include USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) and, most recently, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay.
He is a graduate or Excelsior College with a bachelor’s of science in Nuclear Engineering Technology.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (Two Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Four Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Four Awards), Good Conduct Medal (Seven Awards) and various other unit and service awards.