OtherUS The Master Chief Hugh McCracken Award
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HISTORICAL NOTE
The Hugh McCracken Award is given for prestigious recognition as the best Chief Petty Officer (CPO) mess on the East and West Coast. It’s given specifically for their leadership and performance in training, personnel readiness, and operational mission success.
The award is named after the first Submarine Force Master Chief, Hugh E. McCracken, but is also in remembrance of Chief Gunner’s Mate William H. Reader, who served as the first Submarine Force’s Chief of the Boat. These two leaders are revered in naval history as senior enlisted leaders who set the expectation for what it means to be a Chief Petty Officer today.
The award is presented annually by the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and COMSUBPAC to two chief petty officer messes per coast, one from a fast-attack submarine and one from a guided or ballistic missile submarine. The award highlights the commitment and excellence of the chiefs’ mess in ensuring the success of their commands.
Every nomination is assessed according to their performance to lead their respective commands through training, qualifications, day-to-day operations, personnel readiness, medical and dental readiness, and the success of operational mission requirements. The award criteria defines a high-functioning Chief’s Mess as proactive in preventing destructive behaviors and aggressive in ensuring personnel are fully trained and fully qualified subject matter experts.
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US Navy CPO Mess Award |
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Annual Award |
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2018-11-30 |
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2018 Awardee (Pacific) - |
Cachet by Neal J. Mills
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2018-12-07 |
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2018 Awardee (Pacific) - |
Cachet by Neal J. Mills
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2022-06-21 |
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2021 Awardee (Pacific) - |
Cachet by Neal J. Mills
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2021-10-05 |
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2021 Awardee (Pacific) - |
Caption: NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BANGOR, Wash. (Oct. 5, 2021) Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Force Master Chief Jason Avin presents the Gold Crew Chief's mess of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) with the Master Chief Hugh McCracken Award. This award is presented annually to the Submarine with the best-performing Chief's in Pacific Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phillip Pavlovich)
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2025-05-01 |
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2025 Awardee (Pacific) - |
Caption: Cmdr. Vance Scott, commanding officer of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) blue crew, and Command Master Chief Christopher Olin, Nebraska’s former chief of the boat, pose for a photo with the Hugh McCracken Award, May 1, 2025. Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), presented Nebraska with the Hugh McCracken award during a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor. Every year, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and COMSUBPAC recognize the top two chiefs messes per coast. One attack, and one ballistic missile or guided missile submarine, are evaluated and selected as the recipient of the Hugh McCracken Leadership Award. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Zachary Anderson)
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