SAN DIEGO (NBSD) (NNS) -- Southwest Regional Maintenance Center’s (SWRMC) Contracts Department Head, Capt. Chong Hunter, was recognized for 31 years of service during his retirement ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego on Feb. 1.
“I want to repeat one statement from a recent FITREP that I believe can summarize Chong’s entire professional career,” said retired Rear Adm. Martin Brown, guest speaker for the ceremony. “‘Capt. Hunter has an amazing ability to motivate people to succeed under arduous and stressful conditions.’”
This mindset is what characterized Capt. Hunter’s dedication to the operational readiness and technical capabilities of the Navy throughout his career.
Capt. Hunter enlisted in the Navy in April 1984. He completed Naval Nuclear Power School in 1986 as a Machinist Mate and was assigned to the USS Sunfish (SSN 649) located in Charleston, S.C. He was commissioned through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in May 1993.
Capt. Hunter’s afloat assignments included two tours as Wardroom and Aviation Stores Division Officer, USS Tarawa (LHA 1) and a tour as Supply Officer, USS Oldendorf (DD 972), which included a crew swap with USS Fletcher (DD 972).
Capt. Hunter’s ashore assignments include Assistant Supply Officer at Naval Support Activity, Souda Bay, Crete, Greece; Business Financial Manager intern for Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft (PEO-T) and Business Financial Manager for Tactical Control Systems (PMA-263) at Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md.; Contract Specialist at Office of Special Projects Detachment San Diego; Director of Logistics, Contracts, Plans, and Policy, at Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Coronado, Calif.; Logistics Director, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three, San Diego; Chief of the Contracting Office, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain; Logistics Director/Combat Logistics Officer, Military Sealift Command Pacific/CTF-33; and Contracts Department Head, SWRMC, San Diego.
Capt. Hunter’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder; Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School; and a second MBA in Acquisition and Contract Management from Naval Post Graduate School. He is also a graduate of Dartmouth University’s Tuck Business School Executive Education program and the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Navy Program.
Capt. Hunter has earned supply warfare qualifications in surface and aviation warfare and is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. His personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (two gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Silver & Gold Star), Naval Achievement Medal (two gold stars), and various service and campaign awards.
Surrounded by family and friends, Capt. Hunter was presented with his end-of-tour award and Navy retired certificate by SWRMC commanding officer, and presiding officer for the ceremony, Capt. David Hart.
“Capt. Hunter has been a stabilizing force in our Contracts Department and within my command leadership team,” said Capt. Hart during the ceremony. “Congratulations on all you have accomplished throughout your career. I speak for this whole command, our maintenance community, and the Navy when I say you will be greatly missed.”
SWRMC’s mission is to provide superior ship maintenance, modernization, technical support, and training for the Pacific Fleet.