Pepper commissioned to officer in the U.S. Navy

NEW PORT, R.I.—Monte Vista native Chief David Pepper was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy on August 1.

Pepper entered Basic Recruit Training in Chicago, Illinois in September 2003. Following recruit training, he reported to NATTC Pensacola, Florida for Aviation Electronics Technician “A” School and then to CNATTU Lemoore, California for “C” School.

Chief Pepper reported to his first assignment aboard Fleet Readiness Center West Lemoore SeaOpDet in Lemoore, California in September 2004 and was sent on his first deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in October 2004. He then deployed in January 2007 and again in April 2008 aboard the USS Ronald Regan (CVN-76). During this tour, he was advanced to AT2 and earned his Enlisted Aviation and Enlisted Surface Warfare designations while serving as Work Center Supervisor and Collateral Duty Inspector.

Chief Pepper then reported to NATTC Pensacola, Florida in April 2009 for Advanced Avionics and Weapons Systems School and advanced to AT1. He then was on to his next duty station for shore duty at FRC West Lemoore, California in November 2009. Here he qualified as a Production Controller and served as Radar Work Center, Airspeed and Production Control Leading Petty Officer leading to his selection to ATC in Sept. 2012.

Chief Pepper detached FRC West Lemoore in December 2012 for NCATTU Norfolk, Virginia for E-2C Hawkeye Avionics Systems Career Maintenance Technician School and then reported to the Golden Hawks of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE ONE TWO in May 2013. During this tour, ATC completed a Western Pacific deployment and the 2016 RIMPAC exercise aboard USS John C. Stennis (CV-74). Chief Pepper served as Avionics and Line Division LCPO and Night Check Maintenance Control Supervisor qualifying as Safe-for-Flight ultimately leading to his selection to Ensign.

Chief Pepper’s education includes a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Columbia College.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), along with various unit, campaign and service awards.

He and his wife Kelly have two children. David is the son of Peggy Jo and Keith Pepper of Monte Vista.