Force Master Chief James R. Tocorzic has been selected as the 19th Fleet Master Chief for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Tocorzic will relieve Fleet Master Chief James Honea who has served as the Pacific Fleet senior enlisted leader since January 2018.
“Master Chief Tocorzic was selected from the Navy’s most dedicated and highly qualified senior enlisted leaders,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. “With his extensive operational experience, operational acumen and inspiring leadership, he is precisely the leader we need on our winning team.”
Paparo continued, “Master Chief Tocorzic’s energy and unwavering commitment to our Sailors and their families is infectious. It will be my absolute honor to serve alongside him as the 19th U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief.”
In his new assignment, Tocorzic will be the senior enlisted leader for the world’s largest naval command with more than 130,000 active duty and reserve Sailors who operate approximately 200 ships and submarines and 1,200 aircraft.
He was selected into the Command Master Chief Program in 2009 and served as the final Command Master Chief onboard USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), which decommissioned in March 2012.
Additional Command Master Chief tours include: Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213), Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW 1), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and USS George Washington (CVN 73). He recently was as Force Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Forces in San Diego, CA. He’s served as the Deputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy since July 2020.
“I am humble and excited to re-join this great team,” said Tocorzic. “I look forward to advancing our nation’s interests across the Pacific Fleet.”
A native of Shinnston, West Virginia and 1989 high school graduate, he entered the Navy through the Delayed Entry Program and arrived for basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes in December 1989.
He is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Command Leadership School, Keystone and NSLS. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air/Strike Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and various other unit awards. Master Chief Tocorzic is authorized to wear the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Naval Aircrewman and Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist breast insignias; he is also a designated Master Training Specialist.