TIFTON — Carlos T. Slade has become command master chief of the United States Navy.

Slade, a Tifton native, was pinned recently aboard the U.S.S. St. Louis.

Enlisting in the Navy in May 2002, after completing Recruit Training Command, Chicago, he attended Seaman ATD in Great Lakes, Ill. He served onboard U.S.S. Simpson as an undesignated seaman from 2002-04 and earned his enlisted surface warfare specialist, according to a Navy statement.

In February 2004, he attended Master-at-Arms “A” School at LTA Hampton Roads Virginia where he was meritoriously promoted to master-at-arms third class. In April 2004, Slade was assigned to NAS Key West Security Detachment where he served as a patrolman and field training officer. In July 2005, he volunteered for an individual augmentee in support of detainee operations at JTF Guantanamo Bay.

In May 2007, he reported to Maritime Expeditionary Squadron Seven, where he advanced to master-at-arms second class and earned his enlisted expeditionary warfare specialist.

During 2008 with U.S. CENTCOM, he deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Vigilant Mariner and Native Fury, while conducting multiple embarked security missions. In June 2010, he reported to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, where he was advanced to master-at-arms first class. While there, he served as watch commander and security leading petty officer.

In September 2014, he reported to NSA Bahrain Security where he served as weapons division leading petty officer. During this tour, he contributed to the successful completion of the installation’s 2014 explosive safety inspection, according to the Navy.

From January 2016 to January 2019, he served onboard the U.S.S. Frank Cable as the chief master-at-arms and Legal Department leading chief petty officer. During this tour, he was selected for chief petty officer. In January 2019 to April 2021, he served at Naval Station Mayport Security Department as training and operations division leading chief petty officer. During this tour, he was selected to senior chief petty officer and the command senior enlisted leader program.

Slade is a graduate of Senior Enlisted Academy Class 229, CMC/COB Class 226, and received his associate’s degree in emergency management/homeland security from Coastline Community College and a bachelor of arts in Emergency and disaster management from American Military University.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Good Conduct Medal (six awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, President’s Volunteer Service Award and numerous service and campaign awards.

Slade resides in Jacksonville, Fla., and is married to April Slade; they have three children, Cayden, Zackery and Brooke. In April, he will take the charge as the CMDMC of the USS MASON which holds historical significance as it was one of the ships during World War II that had mostly African American sailors, according to the statement.