Command Master Chief Norman J. Giroux (SW/AW)

Master Chief Giroux was born 9 Oct 1957 in Graniteville, Vermont. He enlisted in the Navy 13 July 1979 and attended Recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. After completion of recruit training, he attended Torpedoeman’s mate “A” school in Orlando, Florida. Upon completion of class “A” school, he reported to USS FULTON (AS-11) home ported in New London, CT in February 1980.

In February 1981 he was transferred to USS Macdonough (DDG-39) homeported in Charleston, SC. Selected for duty as a Navy Recruiter, he reported to NRD Albany , NY via recruiting school in November 1982. After a successful tour on recruiting duty, he transferred to NAS BEEVILLE, Texas in Nov 1985. During his tour in Texas, he was promoted to TM1, Earned his ENLISTED AVIATION WARFARE SPECIALIST (EAWS) designation and changed rating to NC1.

Upon completion of his tour in Texas, he transferred to USS VALDEZ (FF-1096) homeported in Newport, Rhode Island. It was during his tour onboard VALDEZ he was selected for Chief Petty Officer (NCC) in 1989. Upon completion of his tour onboard VALDEZ in March 1991, he transferred to Staff, COMDESRON SIX in Newport, Rhode Island, as the Squadron Career Counselor.

In March 1994 he received orders to report to USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN-25) home ported in Norfolk, VA. During his tour onboard BAINBRIDGE, he was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer (NCCS) and earned his ENLISTED SURFACE WARFARE SPECIALIST (ESWS) designation.

Upon decommissioning of BAINBRIDGE, he reported to Staff, Commander- in- Chief, US Atlantic Fleet as the Fleet Career Counselor. During this tour, he was promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer (NCCM). Selected for the Command Master Chief program, he reported to the US NAVY Senior Enlisted Academy in March 1999 (class Khaki 86).

Upon graduation form the Senior Enlisted Academy, he reported for duty as the Command Master Chief onboard USS KAUFFMAN (FFG-59) home ported in Norfolk, VA.

Upon completion of his tour on KAUFFMAN, he reported to CARGO HANDLING BATTALION ONE, Williamsburg, VA, in April 2002 for duties as Command Master Chief. During his tour at BATTALION ONE, he deployed the battalion to Kuwait and Iraq in support of operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.

In December 2003, he was selected for assignment as the Command Master Chief at JOINT TASK FORCE-CIVIL SUPPORT based at FT MONROE, VA.

In June 2005, he was selected to serve as the Command Master Chief of the NAVY EXPEDITIONARY GUARD BATTALION, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Upon completion of his tour in Cuba, he was selected to serve as the Command Master Chief of RIVERINE GROUP ONE, reporting in July 2006.

Master Chief Giroux’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (six awards), Coast Guard Special Operations Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, Navy Battle “E” (two awards), Recruiting Service ribbon, Sea Service Deployment ribbon (four awards), Expert Rifle Medal, Expert Pistol Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Deployment Medal.