Command Master Chief David Stauffer is a native of Pontiac, Michigan and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2000. Following basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he reported to Aviation Structural Mechanic “A” school in Pensacola. Florida.
His operational assignments include tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15) at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia and Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron (HCS-4) at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, where he deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Roosevelt (CVN-71), and to Camp Anaconda, Balad Air Base, Iraq. He also completed tours with forward-deployed squadrons, Strike Fighter Squadron 195 (VFA-195) and Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115 (VAW-115) at NAF Atsugi, Japan, where he served as Maintenance Control Leading Chief Petty Officer and Senior Enlisted Leader while deployed aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS Ronald Regan (CVN-76).
Ashore, he served at Naval Air Technical Training Center Pensacola at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Systems Command and Commander Fleet Readiness Centers at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where he served as Sustainment Leading Chief Petty Officer and Senior Enlisted Leader. In February 2019, he was selected to the Senior Enlisted Leader Program and transferred to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 Det Edwards (VX-9) at Edwards Air Force Base, California where he was selected as a Command Master Chief.
Master Chief Stauffer earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Excelsior University in 2007. He graduated from the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class #213 Blue) in 2018 and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course (Class #020070) in 2020.
In April 2023, he reported to Fleet Readiness Center Southeast at NAS Jacksonville and assumed his current position as Command Master Chief.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), along with various unit and campaign decorations. He is entitled to wear the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) insignia and has been designated a Master Training specialist (MTS).
He currently resides in St. Augustine, Florida, with his wife, Heidy, of Lima, Peru, their two sons, Brian and Andrew, and their daughter Christina.