NSF Diego Garcia Command Master Chief
Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Anthony Royal was raised in Birmingham, Alabama and enlisted in the Navy on November 22, 1988. He completed Recruit Training and Hospital Corps “A” School in Great lakes, IL; Field Medical Service School in Camp Johnson, NC; Expeditionary Combat Skill in Gulfport, MS; Riverine Combat Skill in Camp Lejeune, NC; earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in Health Care Management from Saint Leo University; a graduate of Senior Enlisted Academy class 195; and Command Master Chief & Chief of the Boat Course (A-570-4500) Class 20040. Royal served six years ten months and 28 days on active duty during his first enlistment before transferring to the Naval Reserves, where he would spend the next six years. After the cowardly act of terrorists on September 11, 2001 Royal accepted a reduction of rank of three pay grades returning him to E-3 in order to return to active duty on November 28, 2001 where he continues to honorably serve his country to this day.
Royal’s duty assignments include Naval Hospital Groton, CT; Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA; 2D Marine Division Camp Lejeune, NC where he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines deploying Operation Desert Shield and Desert Strom 1991 and 1st Battalion, 8th Marines deploying with 22nd MEU during Operation Provide Comfort 1991-1992; Naval Hospital Millington, TN; 4th Marine Division Memphis, TN where he was assigned to 3d Battalion, 23d Marines; Army 8th Brigade, 100th Division Memphis, TN where he was assigned as a Combat Medic Instructor; 2D Force Service Support Group Camp Lejeune, NC deploying with Alpha Surgical Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit to Al Anbar province, Ramadi, Iraq 2004; Headquarters Marine Corps Forces Command Norfolk, VA; Riverine Squadron ONE Virginia Beach, VA deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Red Dawn 2010; 3D Marine Division Kaneohe Bay, HI where he was assigned to 3d Battalion, 3d Marines deploying as part of the Unit Deployment Program 2013 & 2014-2015; Naval Health Clinic Hawaii where he was assigned to Director of Public Health and Director for Administration; Expeditionary Medical Facility, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa as the Senior Enlisted Advisor during an OSA assignment in support of OEF-Djibouti 2018-2019; and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD Senior Enlisted Leader for Directorate for Clinical Support.
Master Chief Petty Officer Royal reported onboard U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia on July 7, 2022 as the Command Master Chief.
Royal’s personnel awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fourth awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (eighth awards) with Combat “V”, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various unit and campaign awards. He is authorized to wear the Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Insignia.