Today marks an exceptionally rare and significant event in Pensacola—the joint retirement of a husband and wife who have both served as Master Chief Petty Officers in the United States Navy. Their distinguished careers, marked by dedication, service and love, culminate in this momentous occasion. What makes this event even more special is that their journey together in uniform reaches its conclusion on Valentine’s Day, a fitting tribute to their shared commitment to both their country and each other.

Thoughts from Master Chief Gloriana Jensen –

On Valentine’s Day, I will be honored to retired after 24 years of service. On top of that, it will be alongside the love of my life, the OTHER Master Chief Jensen.

This last year of service was spent hanging out with the A-Schoolers fresh out of bootcamp and newly arriving to Corry Station. I couldn’t think of a better way to end a career. They’d say, oh wow a Master Chief! Oh wow a Female Master Chief! And when my husband would swing by to “walk the halls” with me, they’d say Oh wow! Married Master Chiefs! Did you guys meet here at A-school?!?!

No young lads, we did not. We met as FCPOs back in Hawaii. We were both dragged along by a friend to volunteer that day at a Navy Day Ball Fundraiser for our Command. To this day, the NDB has a special place in my heart. Volunteering for fundraisers became a big thing for me throughout my career. It also helped me guilt Sailors into volunteering because I’d say, you never know how much you’ll get out of supporting the Command.

Fast forward later that year, neither of us made Chief. We “got our tickets to the dance”, yet both got stuck on the sidelines and given consolation prizes in the form of Non-Select CDBs. Friendly and flirting, we began to study for our EIDWS pins, doing more Command things, and started to fall in love. Having common goals with someone was exciting.

In 2012, a few weeks before results came out, he was scheduled to head back to Corry Station for C school. We felt pretty good about our chances with making Chief, but we’re nervous about the possibility that maybe only one of us would make it. What then? In an act of true devotion to the anchor we hadn’t earned yet, we broke up. Called it friendly planning, just in case. No hard feelings.

When the results hit in Corry Station, he was pulled out of class and told he made Chief. He tried calling me but I was in the SCIF, teaching on podium and unable to answer his calls. He took it as a sign that I hadn’t made it. As soon as I hit a break, I called.

Did you make it?

Yes!

Did you make it?

Yes!

I love you!

I love you too!

WE ARE GOING TO BE CHIEFS TOGETHER!!!!!

He put me and my daughter in his charge book as a profession of love. I put my daughter. I had commitment issues lol.

But as the years went by and we made Chief, became division Chiefs, became Department Chiefs, because Senior and Master Chiefs, there was something absolutely magical about the fact that I got to celebrate my Navy accomplishments with the guy I met 12 years ago at a Navy Ball Fundraiser.

As we face this momentous Joint Retirement Ceremony, I can’t imagine a better person to walk down that aisle of unemployment with. We’ve faced some crazy Navy Challenges together. Now we get to see what a “normal” marriage is like where we get to both be around our kids, aren’t taking turns to rush to work at all hours of the night, and don’t have to ask permission to go on honeymoons.

On Valentine’s Day this year, the real honeymoon with my fave Retired Master Chief begins.

The Master Chief Jensens

2001-2025

Thoughts from Master Chief Michael Jensen –

CTRCM(IW/SG/SW/EXW) Michael K. Jensen

15 March 2001 – 31 March 2025

I initially joined the Navy in 2001 after an unsuccessful attempt at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Mission to Lima, Peru.  I was the “black sheep” of the neighborhood, so I had to get out of Utah.  I walked into the recruiter’s office and was in boot camp six days later.  From the first day I was hooked, I planned to stay in the Navy a minimum of 20 years and possibly do more.  I was getting paid to learn to be a Sailor and a Cryptologic Technician, it was easy to conform and get through it.

I lucked out and got to serve overseas and in operational duties my first five years in the Navy.  I got to “see the world” as so many people join to do.  It was in these first duties on USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), USS JOHN S MCCAIN (DDG 56) and USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG 51) that I developed some of the most amazing relationships and friendships that I still have some 24 years later.  There is no comparison to the bonds that you build with shipmates when you are out to sea doing the things we do as Sailors.

I was extremely fortunate to meet my wife CTI1 Gloriana Mejia at a Navy Day Ball Fundraiser at Navy Information Operations Command, Hawaii.  I was the Leading Petty Officer of the Fleet Information Operations Center, and she was the Leading Petty Officer and Instructor at the Center for Information Dominance Learning Site in Hawaii.  We were both selected for Chief Petty Officer in 2012 and we knew it was meant to be.  Our marriage would be tested in the first few years with sub-surface deployments, 24-hour watch operations and two young children, one being a preemie in the NICU at Tripler.  She has been my biggest mentor and confidant.   I know that my promotions to Senior Chief and Master Chief would not have been possible without her daily example of empathy, love of the Navy, and willingness to do the hard jobs. Ask around our community and when you say “Hey, do you know Chief/Senior/Master Chief Jensen?” the response will be a resounding, “of course I know her, wait, there’s a guy too?”

I felt it was a bit poetic to be stationed at Corry Station for my last tour in the Navy.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the new cadre of Information Warriors coming through the gates as I made my way out. I am truly grateful for everything that the Navy has done for our family. We have higher education paid for, traveled the world, developed friendships that have lasted over 20 years, and a family of five with two dogs and two turtles to show for our dedicated service to this great nation.

Congratulations to both of you on this incredible milestone! Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service are a testament to the values that define the American dream. Through perseverance, sacrifice, and a shared journey in the Navy, you have not only built successful careers but also created a life filled with purpose and achievement. Your story is an inspiration to many, proving that with determination and dedication, anything is possible. Wishing you both the very best as you embark on this new and exciting chapter of your lives!

Thank you for your service and to our great Navy and country,
Station HYPO