CMDCS(SW/FMF) Casey A. Wheeler

Command Senior Chief, USNS Mercy

15 April 2021 Command Senior Chief Casey A. Wheeler is from Wasilla, Alaska.  He enlisted in the Navy on 19 March 2001 and attended Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.  Upon graduation, he attended Hospital Corps “A” School at Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Illinois with follow on training at Field Medical Service School, Camp Pendleton,.

His first assignment was 3d Medical Battalion, Okinawa Japan.  After his initial FMF tour, he reported to the USS Abraham Lincoln and worked as the Flight Deck Medical Leading Petty Officer.  During his tour, Lincoln supported Operation Shock and Awe and Unified Assistance.  Upon completion, he reported to Naval Hospital Rota, Spain as a Petty Officer Third Class and served as the Contingency and Training Petty Officer.

Returning to the United States he reported to 2d Medical BN as a Petty Officer Second Class and was selected to report to II MHG as a Military Transition Team Corpsman and deployed to Iraq 2007 - 2008.  During his tour, he was Combat Meritoriously Promoted to Petty Officer First Class.  At deployments end he returned to 2nd Marine Logistics Group as the Medical Battalion S-1 Leading Petty Officer where he was subsequently selected to Chief Petty Officer.

In 2010 Chief Petty Officer Wheeler posted to California and served at Naval Hospital 29 Palm as Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) of Nursing Services and Administration.  While there he deployed on Pacific Partnership 2013 as Medical Planning and Administration Chief.

At tours end he attended the Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Academy and received follow on orders to 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 29 Palms, California, where he served as the Navy Personnel and Independent Battalion SEL.  He deployed as Navy SEL for the Special Marine Air Ground Task Force to CENTCOM and returned to 29 Palms as the 1st Marine Division Detachment Senior Enlisted Leader.  Upon his transfer he was Selected to Senior Chief and reported to Military Entrance Processing Station, Des Moines, IA.  In January of 2018 he was selected to the Command Senior Chief Program. Senior Chief Wheeler is a Senior Enlisted Academy Graduate (Gold, 211)  and the COB/CMC (Class 188)  with follow on as Senior Enlisted Advisor at the Denver, CO Military Entrance Processing Station.  On 20 November 2020 he assumed responsibilities as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader USNS Mercy.

Senior Chief Wheeler has earned his Fleet Marine Force and Surface Warfare Enlisted Warfare qualifications.  His Personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal,  Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and two Gold Star, Navy Achievement Medal with two gold Stars.  Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and Military Outstanding  Volunteer Service Medal with one bronze star in lieu of second award.