Command Master Chief Sandra Dyal attended Recruit Training in Orlando, Florida, in May 1991 and began her career as a Torpedoman’s Mate.
Upon completion of ‘A’ School, she reported aboard USS SIMON LAKE (AS- 33) in Holy Loch, Scotland where she advanced to Petty Officer Second Class under the Command Advancement Program. In May 1995, she utilized the SCORE program to attend Aviation Ordnanceman ‘A’ school in Millington, TN. Following transition, she served at Naval Airborne Weapons Maintenance Unit-1, Guam and Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department, Point Mugu, California. In October 2000, Dyal reported to the “World Famous Golden Dragons” of Strike Fighter Squadron 192 based in Atsugi, Japan. During this tour she advanced to Chief Petty Officer.
In November 2002, she reported to Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Pacific and was hand-selected to serve as the fleet weapons representative for the Aviation Maintenance Inspection Team responsible for all U.S. Navy and Marine Corp armament equipment, aviation support equipment, and ordnance handling equipment. She then reported to USS KITTY HAWK in Yokosuka, Japan in March 2005 as the Armament Branch LCPO.
In October 2007, Dyal returned to CNAF where she was selected to serve as the CNAF U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Armament Weapons Manager. There she advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer and terminated shore duty to return to the fleet in January 2010 aboard USS NASSAU (LHA 4) as Weapons Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.
In May 2011, she reported to the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 as the Quality Assurance Supervisor, qualified Safe-for-Flight, and was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer – the sixth female in the Navy’s history to serve as an Aviation Ordnanceman Master Chief. In 2013, she deployed with HSC-7 as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader during USS HARRY S. TRUMAN STRIKE GROUP’s 2013 deployment in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.
In February 2014, she graduated from the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 178, Blue) and reported to Navy Munitions Command CONUS East as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader. Master Chief Dyal was subsequently selected for the Command Master Chief Program and completed the Command Master Chief Course (Class 15130) in August 2015.
In September 2015, she reported to the USS New York (LPD 21) as Command Master Chief. She led the Crew through Basic Phase, CNO Maintenance Availability, and Board of Inspection and Survey, resulting in the 2016 Retention Excellence Award, the Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic’s 2016 Battle Effectiveness Award, and the 2016 Commander Naval Region Southeast Community Service Award.
In November 2017 she reported to the USS AMERICA as Command Master Chief. She led the Crew through a $54 million maintenance availability, a successful homeport shift to Sasebo, Japan, and was often lauded “Best on the Waterfront”, America’s crew soared through certification phases.
In August 2020, she assumed duties of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Command Master Chief.
Master Chief Dyal’s personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6) and various unit and campaign medals.