James Honea

James M. Honea is a retired United States Navy sailor who served as the 16th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy from 8 September 2022 to 12 September 2025. He was previously the Senior Enlisted Leader of United States Indo-Pacific Command from August 2021 to June 2022.

Naval career

After attending basic training at Recruit Training Center San Diego, California, in 1987, Honea began his navy career as a Boatswain's Mate on USS John A. Moore (FFG-19). He continued to rise through the ranks, serving aboard amphibious assault ships. His sea assignments include USS Juneau (LPD-10), USS Dubuque (LPD 8), and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). When he achieved the rank of command master chief, he continued to serve at sea aboard the destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), and later another amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18).

Honea's shore tours include service as the command master chief of United States Navy Embedded Training Teams, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, deployed to Afghanistan; as the command master chief at Naval Support Activity South Potomac; as the command master chief of United States Naval Forces Korea; and most recently as the fleet master chief of United States Pacific Fleet.

Honea completed the Command Master Chief Course and Senior Enlisted JPME Keystone Course at the National Defense University. He is also a graduate from the United States Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.

He assumed the office of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) on September 8, 2022 from Russell L. Smith. He retired on September 12, 2025.

Personal life

Honea married Evelyn in 1989 when he was stationed in Long Beach, California. They have two children.

Awards and decorations

• Nine gold service stripes