Master Chief Best spent the majority of his younger years traveling around the world with his parents, a career Army family. He graduated from high school in 1964 and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

After initial training for duty with the Naval Security Group, he had tours of duty as a Morse operator at NSGA Bremerhaven and onboard the USNS PVT JOSE F. VALDEZ (TAG-169). Prior to being assigned to NSGA Edzell, he attended the Fleet Processing and Reporting school at Corry Station.

Subsequently, he attended CY-155 Cryptologic Course for Service Supervisors at NSA/CSS and was then assigned to A-Group for duty. During this assignment, he was selected for a special operational team under the direct control of the Chief of Naval Operations.

He received further formal schooling at the Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut, enroute to a direct support tour at NSGD, NCS Rota. His next tour was with the Assistant Commander, Naval Security Group at Fort Meade. During this tour, he attended CY-200 “Senior Military Cryptologic Supervisors Course”.

The Master Chief was then assigned to the Cryptologic Support Group, Sixth Fleet, Rota, Spain early in 1981. He was selected in 1984 as the CTR Branch Technical Advisor. While serving in this position, he was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer and obtained a BA degree from the University of Maryland.

He applied for and was accepted into the Command Master Chief program and assumed that position at NSGA Northwest, Chesapeake, Virginia in June 1988. Subsequently, he was selected for duty on the Staff, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Navy, Europe at London. During this tour, he served as the Cryptologic Surface Direct Support coordinator; the Director, Naval Security Group Europe Command Master Chief and the Staff Command Master Chief for Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Navy, Europe. On 30 October 1992, he assumed duties as the CNO Directed Command Master Chief for the Naval Security Group Command.

Master Chief Best’s decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, two awards of the Navy Commendation Medal, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, six awards of the Navy Unit Commendation, four awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation, a Navy Battle “E”, seven awards of the Navy Good Conduct Medal, a Navy Expeditionary Medal, two awards of the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and numerous other awards and decorations.

Master Chief Best is the proud father of Mrs. Dawn N. Auldridge, HT3 Thomas E. Best, USN and Shane

J. Best.