Fleet Master Chief John Perryman will be the Navy’s 17th Master Chief Petty Officer starting this fall, the Navy announced Friday afternoon.

Perryman is currently serving as the top enlisted sailor for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Soon he’ll be in that capacity for the entire Navy. He’ll take over the role for James Honea, who will retire from military service on Sept. 12 after several decades in uniform.

“With decades of operational experience across the fleet, Perryman will play a vital role in advising Navy leadership, shaping enlisted policy, and maintaining warfighting readiness in an era of strategic competition,” the Navy’s statement said.

Honea served as the 16th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy since September 2022. In July, he announced he would be retiring from the Navy a

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