Command Master Chief Laura Nunley is the 22nd Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
As a young mother and a native of West Covina, CA, Master Chief Nunley enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May 1994. After completing recruit training in Orlando, FL, she reported to Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Dam Neck, VA for Intelligence Specialist “A" School. Her first duty station was Atlantic Intelligence Center (AIC), Norfolk, VA.
Master Chief Nunley's other assignments include Mobile Integrated Command Facility Europe (MICFAC EUR)/Tactical Support Center (TSC), Sigonella Italy; Naval Strike and Air Warfare Command (NSAWC) Fallon, NV: USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 8), San Diego, CA; Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2 (COMPATRECONWING-2), Kaneohe, HI; and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). While assigned to COMPATRECONWING-2, Master Chief Nunley completed an eight-month Individual Augmentation to Camp Abu Naji in Al Amarah, Iraq. While at Camp Abu Naji, she was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for her extraordinary leadership in combat as an Iraqi Military Training Team (MITT) Advisor, setting the standard for the future Iraqi Army Non-Commissioned Officer Corps.
In 2011, she was selected to the Command Master Chief program. Once selected, she reported to the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) class 62, and graduated in the top percentile of her class, landing her on the coveted Commandants List. Command Master Chief assignments include CMC of USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15), USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), and Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). Command Master Chief reported as the CSEL to the Director of Defense Intelligence Agency on 31 July 2020.
Her academic achievements include a Bachelor's degree of Professional Studies in Business and Management; Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education; United States Sergeants Major Academy, class 62; CMC/COB Course; Executive Leadership Symposium; and National Defense University KEYSTONE Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course.
Military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two gold stars), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three gold stars), Joint Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four gold stars). In 2006, she was awarded the Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor Award for Leadership. In addition, she has earned the Enlisted Information Warfare, Enlisted Surface Warfare and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Designators.
Command Master Chief Nunley and her husband, Charlie, have three children – Joseph, Robert, and Erika (married to Matt) – and two grandchildren—Mason and Ella.
August 2020