Whitman, currently serving as the senior enlisted sailor at Naval Surface Force Atlantic, is expected to take over the job and the title of fleet master chief in late summer, according to a statement released Wednesday.
She will be the first woman to serve as the top enlisted sailor of the Pacific Fleet. She follows now retired Fleet Master Chief (SW/AW) Jackie DiRosa, who was the Atlantic Fleet's top sailor from July 2006 to June 2007, as well as Fleet Master Chief (AW/SW) JoAnn Ortloff, who retired in March as the top enlisted sailor at Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
"I chose Master Chief Whitman to be our top enlisted leader from a group of highly qualified candidates," Swift said in the release.
"Her operational experience and inspirational leadership, on and off the waterfront, clearly demonstrates that she is the right leader to ensure our military and civilian workforce, and their families, are well cared for."
Whitman will replace the acting fleet master chief, Force Master Chief (SS) Russell Mason, who temporarily assumed the mantel as the Pacific Fleet's Master Chief senior enlisted sailormantelon April 16. Mason will resume his duties as the top enlisted sailor at Submarine Forces, Pacific.
Mason took over the job in April after then Fleet Master Chief (SW/AW) Marco Ramirez was relieved for loss of confidence by then Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Harry Harris, after following a command investigation into allegations that Ramirez violated travel rules.
A native of Piety Hill, Illinois, Whitman joined the Navy in August 1985. The yeoman's career has taken her to sea duty commands at Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3, Navy Recruiting District Boston, the submarine tender Holland as well as aircraft carriers Nimitz and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Selected for command master chief in 2006, she has been the top enlisted sailor on the cruiser Vella Gulf, the carrier Lincoln and the Naval Safety Center before her current tour at SURFLANTAtlantic Surface Forces Atlantic.
She is the recipient of the Navy's 2011 Captain CAPT Joy Bright Hancock Leadership Award Winner and the Navy League's Captain Winifred Quick Collins Award Winner for Inspirational Leadership that same year.
Reacting to the selection, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Mike Stevens told Navy Times on Wednesday that says he welcomes Whitmanworking master chief in her new capacity and called the position one of "critical responsibility" in the Navy.
That's because the U.S. Pacific Fleet, officials say, is the world's largest naval command, according to Navy officials. Whitman will represent the interests and concerns of the fleet's more than 160,000 active and reserve sailors who operate the fleet's roughly 180 ships and 1,500 aircraft.
"I want to congratulate her on her selection," Stevens saidtold Navy Times June 17.
"There were some exceptional leaders who applied for the Pacific fleet master chief position, all of whom are capable of performing the required duties," Stevens said. "Admiral Swift selected FORCM Suz Whitman to be his fleet master chief, and I am very excited for her and her family."
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
