Christopher "Force" Penton Email & Phone Number

Memphis Metropolitan Area

Utilizing leadership, career development and recruitment experience from the military to consult on leadership training, management development, team building, as well as HR policies and procedures for corporations, mid to small businesses, nonprofits, government entities at all levels and the military. In addition, consult on organizational structure, efficacy, cost controls, branding, and work productivity issues.Was one of only 16 active Force Master Chief Petty Officers (FORCM) for the entire Navy, and the Navy’s first Command Master Chief ever designated Force Master Chief Petty Officer for Navy Recruiting Command. Therefore, experienced to transition command skill set to becoming a civilian consultant. Led and trained a management staff for 27 recruiting commands (that covered over 4,500 personnel), responsible for all of the reserved, active duty and civilian positions in the U.S., its territories and select global initiatives. During four-year tenure over 235,000 recruits were processed for various positions around the world. Direct report included current Four-Star Admiral Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command.

Memphis Metropolitan Area

Provide leadership programs, cultural/diversity awareness events and family crisis management for at-risk youth and their families, as well as assist veterans and their families/dependents with issues related to their benefits, continuing education, career development, post-active duty services, etc.

Millington, Tennessee, United States

Penton was one of only 16 active Force Master Chief Petty Officers in the entire Navy when he was appointed. He was also the first Force Master Chief Petty Officer (FORCM) in Navy history designated to be the FORCM Recruiting Command, where he was the Senior Enlisted Leader and a direct report to current Four-Star Admiral Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command. In this capacity, Penton’s responsibilities also covered STEAM initiatives and SMART Recruitment systems. Penton was uniquely positioned for be the FORCM Recruiting Command, because the Senior Enlisted Academy alumnus not only served as Command Master Chief on an AGIS cruiser (USS Bunker Hill, CG-52), a big deck amphibious ship (USS Bellau Wood, LHA-3) and an aircraft carrier (USS Nimitz, CVN-68), but his land-based high level command assignments included as CNO-Directed Command Master Chief for the Naval District Washington/Capital Region and as the Senior Enlisted Aide to the Commander, Iceland Defense Force (NATO-related). He was also a Recruit Company Commander, as well as a certified Surface Warfare Specialist, an Aviation Warfare Specialist and a Master Training Specialist (all three require recommendations from superiors).

Millington, Tennessee, United States

The Senior Enlisted Leader for all levels of training for officers, enlisted personnel, civilians, and families/dependents for the U.S. Navy worldwide, as well as the sole Command Master Chief for the Center for Career Development under Naval Personnel Command. Led and trained 12 regional managers (covering thousands of personnel), to provide career development direction and instruction for Navy personnel (active duty, reserve and civilian), along with families/dependents, including those overseas.

Homeport: Coronado, Ca

The Senior Enlisted Leader and sole Command Master Chief for the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). as well as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to its Commanding Officer. He was also the Senior Enlisted Advisor to Carrier Strike Group Eleven (CSG 11), and Senior Enlisted Leader for the Battle Group. During his tenure Penton was also featured in the acclaimed PBS docu-series "Carrier" about the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), one of only ten nuclear aircraft carriers.

Homeport: San Diego, Ca

The Senior Enlisted Leader and sole Command Master Chief for the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3). Proud to have organized with the Sergeant Major of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the ship’s inspirational, “9/11 Let’s Roll” on-deck formation by ship personnel from both the Navy and the Marines, captured in the famed photograph. Penton was also the Navy liaison for the filming on the Belleau Wood of the 2002 award-winning Fox Searchlight classic, "Antwone Fisher," based on the life of revered writer and Navy vet, Antwone Fisher.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

The Senior Enlisted Leader and sole CNO-Directed Command Master Chief (CNOCMC) for the Naval District Washington/Capital Region, which involved standing in for the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MPCON) as needed. He was also the liaison with the Military District Washington, which coordinated all ceremonial and joint activities (USN/USMC, USAF, USA & USCG) in the region. In addition, he was the Command Master Chief for the Navy Ceremonial Guard, where among the many high level events covered during his tenure included: the first Inauguration of President George W. Bush; the funeral for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Delbert D. Black; escorting Clinton Administration’s Secretary of the Defense, William S. Cohen, and receiving the USS Cole bombing casualties.

Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan / San Diego, Ca

The Senior Enlisted Leader and sole Command Master Chief for the USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), part of the 7th Fleet Command and Carrier Strike Group Five (Forward Deployed Navy). Coordinated the complex process of the homeport change between the USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and the USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), which involved over 700 Navy personnel and their families/dependents.

Homeport: Sasebo, Japan

The sole Deck Department Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO). His role included overseeing anchoring, mooring, small boat ops, underway replenishment and transport personnel at sea. During this tour the ship had a port visit in Vladivostok, Russia,, and to safely execute the visit, Penton oversaw the first Mediterranean Mooring of a U.S. Navy big deck amphibious ship, a complicated mooring process that involved negotiated coordination between the US Navy and the Russian Navy.

Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Selected by Navy Personnel Command to attend the Navy’s revered Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA).

Homeport: Naval Station Mayport, Mayport, Fl

The sole Operation Department Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) for the USS Spruance, that was also part of the Navy’s efforts in Operation Restore Democracy regarding Haiti, taking onboard more than 900 Haitians. Also, did joint operations with the U.S. Coast Guard, including drug trafficking ops.

San Diego, Ca

The Recruit Company Commander, responsible for training recruits via 7 companies/platoons, covering over 700 recruits. Also, was an instructor for seaman apprenticeship training, earning a Master of Training Specialist designation, which involved knowledge of curriculum and presentation. Also, obtained his Chief Petty Officer rank during this assignment.

Keflavik, Iceland

The Enlisted Aide to the Commander, Iceland Defense Force Command, Penton was also part of the escort/transport team, which not only allowed him to engage with high-level U.S. civilian and armed forces officials, such as then Transportation Secretary, Elizabeth Dole, Senator Bob Dole and Admiral Carlisle Trost, then Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), but he was in attendance at the Reykjavik Summit between President Ronald Reagan and U.S.S.R. President Mikhail Gorbachev regarding nuclear arms-control. Penton also transported high level foreign dignitaries and military officials.

Homeport: Charleston, Sc

Penton went from an E1 to an E5 within two years, via the Command Advancement Program (CAP). One of only two at that time to be promoted on his ship.