Master Chief Benjamin D. Rushing, a native of Iowa, entered the Navy in June 1993 and attended basic training at Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Florida. Upon completion of basic training, he attended Nuclear Field “A” school and the Navy’s Nuclear Power School also in Orlando. Final nuclear power prototype training was conducted on the moored training ship 635 located in Charleston, South Carolina, and he was designated a nuclear trained Electrician’s Mate.
Rushing’s first duty assignment was onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in Bremerton, Washington, where he made his nuclear power training operational as a member of reactor electrical division. After completing a five year tour, which included an around the world deployment and mid-life refueling of the ship’s reactors, he transferred back to Charleston where he taught chemistry, materials and radiological fundamentals at the Navy’s Nuclear Power School and was promoted to chief petty officer.
His next assignment was in Norfolk, Virginia, assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) where he served as the reactor electrical division leading chief petty officer and was promoted to senior chief petty officer.
After completing his tour, Rushing was selected to become the electrical assistant as a member of the Naval Air Forces Atlantic, nuclear power mobile training team and was promoted to master chief petty officer. Rushing’s next assignment was in Everett, Washington, where he served as Nimitz’s reactor department master chief.
Master Chief Rushing’s CMC sea tours include USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) home ported in Norfolk, VA.
In September 2019, he reported as Command Master Chief, Naval Station Norfolk. At the end of his first year, the base earned the Dept. of Defense Installation Award and Presidential Award for Installation Excellence in 2020.
In February 2022, he assumed the duties as Command Master Chief, Navy Region Northwest.
Rushing is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and Command Master Chief Capstone. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) along with various service and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 29 March 2022