Command Master Chief Steve Horton joined the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) team as its first command master chief (CMC), Feb. 4.

Horton’s newly-established role will have a significant impact on the organization’s mission accomplishment. Above all, a CMC is an advocate for enlisted Sailors in all matters, from morale, training and job satisfaction to discipline, family support and more.

“Command Master Chief Horton is bringing more than 29 years of extensive Navy leadership experience to our readiness recovery domain,” said NAVSUP WSS Commander, Rear Adm. Duke Heinz, “And he’s joining us at a very exciting time.

“As the Navy’s program support inventory control point (PSICP), we’re working across the DoD (Department of Defense) to reform what Navy sustainment looks like,” Heinz continued. “Command Master Chief Horton is a great addition to our organization, and will help keep naval forces mission-ready by ensuring the readiness of our own team.”

Reporting directly to the NAVSUP WSS commander, Horton will facilitate effective communication at all levels of the enlisted chain of command and provide advice and input on policy formulation that affects NAVSUP WSS Sailors.

“I couldn’t be prouder to join the team that keeps our ships sailing, subs diving and planes flying,” said Horton. “As NAVSUP WSS’s first command master chief, I look forward to expanding the role and elevating the readiness of our enlisted Sailors.”

A native of Ferguson, North Carolina, Horton joined the Navy in 1989 and completed his basic training in San Diego. He is a graduate of mess management specialist “A” school; food service administration “C” school; the Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 11; and the Command Master Chief Course.

Horton’s tours as CMC include Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), the U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station and NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka.

Horton has served aboard amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV 62), guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48), guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and John S. McCain. He has also served with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 stationed in Atsugi, Japan, and Commander, Task Force 70 stationed in Yokosuka, Japan.

Horton is qualified as an enlisted surface warfare specialist, aviation warfare specialist and information warfare specialist.

A field activity of the Naval Supply Systems Command, NAVSUP WSS is the U.S. Navy’s supply chain manager providing worldwide support to the aviation, surface ship and submarine communities. NAVSUP WSS provides Navy, Marine Corps, joint and allied forces with products and services that deliver combat capability through logistics. As the Navy’s single Program Support Inventory Control Point (PSICP), NAVSUP WSS specializes in integrated logistics support planning, forecasting, requisition processing, provisioning, allowance development, configuration and repairables management and more.

There are more than 2,000 civilian and military personnel employed at its two Pennsylvania sites, and one site in Norfolk, Va. The NAVSUP WSS Philadelphia site supports aircraft, its Mechanicsburg site supports ships and submarines and the Norfolk site supports the Price Fighters and the transportation/distribution of assets.

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