Navy Master Chief Transitions to Education

Command Master Chief John R. Costner has dedicated almost 30 years to the United States Navy and soon he will dedicate his time to elementary school children after graduating with a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University. Costner is in the Military Career Transition Program at Old Dominion and has completed 10 of 11 courses in the program with an impressive 4.0 GPA.

Master Chief Costner reported to boot camp in San Diego, California in September 1979, and has accomplished many things, ranging from his first job as an Ocean Systems Technician in Anti-Submarine Warfare to Command Master Chief of the Naval Ocean Processing Facility. His Integrated Underseas Surveillance Systems duty assignments have taken him to Bermuda, Japan, Alaska and the Arabian Gulf/Mediterranean. During his time spent in the Arabian Gulf/Mediterranean he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Although is military career has been an active one he still managed to pursue higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of the State of New York and a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University.

His personal awards include three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and several marksmanship awards.