Born in Riverside, California. Enlisted in the Navy under the delayed entry program September 2001. Completed basic training and Gunner’s Mate “A” school at RTC / NTC, Great Lakes, Illinois. Graduated from vertical launching system “C” school in 2002.
Served aboard USS LASSEN (DDG 82) as a plank owner supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Served onboard Inshore Boat Unit 43 as a plank owner and the weapons department leading petty officer, supporting operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Selected by the Commodore of Naval Coastal Warfare Group 2 to become a plank owner of Helo Bourn Visit Board Search and Seizure 2 where he was a team leader, boarding officer, lead designated helo marksman, and helicopter rope suspension technique master, supporting operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Served onboard Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 where he held positions as departmental leading Chief for weapons and ordnance as well as Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) Security Company det Rota, SEL MK VI Bravo Company Det. Guam, and SEL security boat company det. Kuwait. Master Chief Shafer’s last sea billet was Command senior Chief aboard USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) supporting Operation Martillo in 4th Fleet.
Other tours of duty include Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific in Coronado, California, where he was selected as the commands leading petty officer and held positions as weapons officer, training officer, and supply officer, leading to 32 successful deployments supporting multiple worldwide operations. Navy Munitions Command, Bahrain, supporting 75 tenant commands and 5th Fleet ballistic missile defense as the operations Chief. Served at Afloat Training Group Pacific Northwest as combat systems team lead for 9 warfare areas, qualified as an afloat training specialist, master training specialist, and training liaison officer. NAVSEA Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport, Washington where he served as the Command Senior Chief for over 2,500 sailors and civilians supporting all lines of effort for heavyweight and lightweight torpedo assets in U.S. and foreign military partner’s arsenals.
Master Chief Shafer is a graduate of the U.S. Navy senior enlisted academy (class 208, gray) and command master chief / chief of the boat course (class 22040). He is qualified as an enlisted surface warfare specialist, enlisted expeditionary warfare specialist, enlisted aviation warfare specialist, and certified as a master training specialist. He holds an associate of science degree in general studies from City University of Seattle. He has earned numerous personal, unit and campaign awards.