Master Chief Barnes reported to Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Precommissioning unit in April 1989 as Command Master Chief. He was the first man to report onboard, and he established the PRECOM Unit.
He is a native of Downsville NY, where he attended Downsville Central School. He joined the Navy in 1964, completing recruit training in Great Lakes and Radioman “A” school in Bainbridge, MD.
He served at sea in USS IWO JIMA (LPH 2) from November 1964 to May 1964 as a radioman watch supervisor, in USS GARCIA (FF 1040) from November 1972 to November 1975 as the Command Career Counselor, and as the Command Senior Chief in USS CARON (DD970) from January 1979 to July 1982 where he earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare pin. He served in USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) from October 1984 to October 1985 as the Communications Department leading radioman.
He served tow tours of instructor duty, one at Radioman “B” School in Bainbridge, MD from July 1968 to October 1972, the other at Communications School FTC Norfolk, VA from December 1975 to December 1978. Upon graduation from the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, RI, he served as the Assistant Officer in Charge of the Naval Telecommunications Operations Center in Washington, DC from October 1982 to October 1984. He was assigned as the senior Radioman Detailer from October 1985 to March 1989.
His personal awards include the Naval Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and the Vietnam Meritorious Service Medal.
USS Arleigh Burke Association 