Command Master Chief
Master Chief Clayton L. Alek-Finkelman is a native of East Meadow, NY. Prior to enlisting in the Navy he served two years in the East Meadow Fire Department and was a first responder on 9/11.
CMDCM Alek-Finkelman entered the Navy in May 2002 and completed basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL. After attending GM “A” School where he was honored as the Distinguished Military Graduate, he attended VLS “C” School in Dam Neck, VA.
In May 2003, he received orders to USS Antietam (CG 54), homeported in San Diego, CA. During three deployments, he served as Leading Petty Officer and Work Center Supervisor of Combat Missiles Division, qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and served on the Combat Systems Training and Force Protection Training Teams.
In April 2007, he attended Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor training in San Diego, CA and graduated the course as “Top Gun”. His follow on assignment was Riverine Squadron Three in Yorktown, VA. During deployments to Al Anbar, Basra, and Maysan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom he served as Riverine Combat Element Patrol Leader, and accumulated hundreds of hours of control time with fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He also qualified Expeditionary Warfare Specialist and earned the Small Craft Insignia. In August 2010 he reported to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he served as the 5th Company Senior Enlisted Leader and 1st Battalion Leading Chief Petty Officer.
In June 2013 he attended Senior Enlisted Academy class #174 graduating on the Dean’s List. He completed one deployment to the CENTCOM Crisis Response Element as the J3A Operations Chief.
In February 2017 he was selected for the Command Senior Enlisted Leader Program (CSEL) and graduated from CMC/COB Course in December 2017. In April 2018 he reported to Naval Support Facility Redzikowo as CSEL working closely with Aegis Ashore Poland and the Polish Force Protection Battalion to establish the Navy’s newest installation.
He successfully completed a CSEL assignment aboard USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) from April 2019 to November 2021, and reported to Maritime Expeditionary Security Group TWO as Command Master Chief in December 2021.
Master Chief Alek-Finkelman holds an Associates Degree in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College. His personal awards include: Meritorious Service Medal(2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal(3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal(4), Good Conduct Medal(6), Expert Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship Medals, and numerous campaign and unit awards.