Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman took the helm as the Navy’s top enlisted sailor Monday during a change of command ceremony held in Washington, D.C. 
Perryman assumed the role less than one month after the Navy announced his selectionto be the 17th master chief petty officer of the Navy. As the top enlisted sailor, Perryman is responsible for advising Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle and advocating for the needs of the sea service’s enlisted force.

“Our Navy must be manned by world-class sailors led by the best warfighters at every level,” Perryman said. “You have my word — I will always fight for you and for the families who stand beside you.”

Perryman outlined his priorities in a video on Monday following the ceremony, demonstrating he is in lockstep with Caudle.

There is no one better suited to take over the helm as our Navy’s senior enlisted advisor than you,” Caudle said to Perryman during the ceremony. “Your priorities of sailors and families first, technical mastery at every level, and continuous development and talent management and my priorities of Foundry, Fleet, and Fight are mutually reinforcing, collectively exhaustive, and relentlessly enduring.”

Perryman follows MCPON James Honea, who has served in the role since Sept. 8, 2022. Honea will retire Friday after 38 years in the Navy.

Perryman enlisted in the service in 1994 and began his career as an electronics technician submariner with tours on USS Bremerton (SSN-698), USS Dolphin (AGSS-555) and USS Cheyenne(SSN-773). He also served as the command master chief on USS Hawaii (SSN-776), according to the Navy.

He previously served as the senior enlisted sailor of Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, Submarine Group Seven, in Submarine Force Atlantic and U.S. Strategic Command. Additionally, Perryman served as the senior enlisted advisor to Caudle while the pair led U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

USNI CAITLYN BURCHETT SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 

https://news.usni.org/2025/09/10/navy-welcomes-17th-mcpon-john-perryman