Command Master Chief Don Schrader recently arrived to take over Naval Munitions Command, CONUS West (“NMC”) from CMC Jeffrey L. Reeder. For a few weeks he was able get some feel for the commands from CMC Reeder who departed on orders in April to take over a squadron at NAS Whidbey Island. CMC Reeder stated that felt like he was going home when he received orders for Whidbey where he had spent so much time as a junior NCO. CMC Reeder left a proven leader, CMC Don Schrader to take over the post of CMC for Naval Munitions Command, and temporarily (until his relief arrives soon), CMC for NWSSB.
CMC Schrader is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, who entered the US Navy in October 1992. He is married with two children. After recruit training he attended Hospital Corpsman A-school where he graduated with distinction. He then continued his training at Field Medical Service School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In July 1993 he reported to Naval Hospital Pensacola as a general duty corpsman.
In April 1996, CMC Schrader graduated with honors as a Physical Therapy Technician, from the US Army’s Medical Department Center in San Antonio, Texas. Master Chief Schrader’s assignments include Leading Chief Petty Officer of the ship’s Military Medical Department aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). While assigned to the Kitty Hawk, Master Chief Schrader earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare and Aviation Warfare designations.
In 2005, while a Petty Officer 1st Class and Leading Petty Officer in the medical department of the Kitty Hawk, Mater Chief Schrader distinguished himself by saving the life of an 8-year old Japanese boy who nearly drowned at a pool at the Guam Marriott Resort. The particulars were gleaned from a news report a newspaper report at the time:
Petty Officer 1st Class Donald C. Schrader III was poolside at the Guam Marriott Resort and Spa last Saturday about 6 p.m., relaxing in the hot tub and looking forward to a dinner of ribs at Tony Roma’s. He and some friends were enjoying a few days of liberty during the USS Kitty Hawk’s recent port call to Guam when the unexpected happened.
Me and my two buddies were just getting out of the Jacuzzi, getting ready to go, when one of them said, ‘Hey Doc, something’s really wrong with that kid over there,’” Schrader recalled in a phone interview Tuesday evening.
Schrader, a trained medical corpsman and the leading petty officer of the Kitty Hawk’s medical department, turned around to see fellow shipmates pulling the lifeless body of an 8-year-old Japanese boy from the pool.
I ran over there immediately and announced myself as a Navy medic,” Schrader said. “You do that when you come to a scene to find out if someone there is more qualified than yourself. No one contested.”
The child, later identified as Yuki Yamada, wasn’t breathing, had no pulse, his skin was pale, lips blue and his eyes had broken blood vessels — classic symptoms of drowning.
Ultimately the child lived as result of the quick application of his life saving skills. Afterwards, it was reported that CMC Schrader got to meet with the child and his parent to receive their thanks, personally.
Master Chief Schrader holds an Associate of Science degree as a Physical Therapist’s Assistant; a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management; and is pursuing a Master’s of Professional Studies in Homeland Security from Penn State University.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Joint Meritorious Unit, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Master Chief Schrader is a graduate of the National Defense University’s KEYSTONE course (16-1), the Naval War College’s Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 146), and the Command Master Chief course (13020).
All in all, not a bad guy to have around. Welcome aboard Command Master Chief Schrader!
