Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher R. Hilger

Senior Enlisted Advisor, Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic

21 March 2023 ADCS (AW/SW/IW) Christopher R. Hilger was born in Oxnard, California, and then raised in Camarillo, CA.  A 2003 graduate from Adolfo Camarillo High School, he enlisted in the NAVY in 2003 and attended Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL, in October of 2004.   
 
Upon completion of Boot Camp, he reported to NAS Oceana, VA, to attend Aviation Machinist Mate (AD) ‘A’ school.  After graduating from ‘A’ school as Honor Graduate, he reported to his first ultimate duty assignment at Strike Fighter Squadron 106 “Gladiators”, the Fleet Replacement Squadron located at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA, from May 2005 to November 2007.  There he would serving as a Plane Captain, W/C 310 CDIs an F/A-18 jet engine mechanic.  While there he was awarded the Aviation Warfare Specialist pin and advancement to third class petty officer.
 
In June 2007, he was selected for the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels serving from 2007- 2012.  Upon reporting to into the Blue Angels, he picked up AD2 and served as a Power Plants Assistant Leading Petty Officer and Full Systems Quality Assurance Representative on the F/A-18 Hornet.  During his tour, he participated in over 200 air shows at 50 locations around the country and spoke to over 10,000 children at schools worldwide, promoting a drug-free lifestyle, staying in school, and being a good role model for society.
 
After a successful tour with the Blue Angels, he joined one of the last F/A-18 Legacy Squadrons in the Naval Fleet, Strike Fighter Squadron 15 “Valions”.  In 2012, he picked up First Class and took over as the Power Plants LPO from 2012 -2015.  In February 2014, he executed one of the last legacy Hornet deployments on the USS George H.  W.  Bush (CVN-77), where they served as the tip of the spear starting Operation Inherent Resolve in June 2014.
 
In April 2015, he attended LCAC Engineer School at EWTGLANT Norfolk, VA, for 18 weeks of intense, arduous training.  He reported to follow-on training at Assault Craft Unit Four Training Detachment, Virginia Beach, VA, attending LCAC Advanced Qualification Training, where he earned the LCAC Engineer NEC.
 
In October 2015, he was reported onboard Assault Craft Unit Four.  In 2016, he was selected to Chief Petty Officer and assigned to Detachment Delta, serving as the engineer for LCAC 88.  In 2017, he would deploy with Det Delta and the 24^th MEU onboard the USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), earning his Enlisted Surface Warfare and Enlisted Information Warfare Pin.  Upon return from deployment, he was reassigned to Detachment Charlie, where he would deploy with the 26^th MEU onboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5).  While onboard, he was embedded with the ACE and qualified as SAFE-FOR-FLIGHT on the MV-22 at VMM-365.  Upon return from deployment in 2021, ADC was promoted to Senior Chief finishing out his tour at Assault Craft Unit Four assigned as an LCAC Crew and Casualty Training Team (LCCTT) member.
 
In January 2021, he transferred to EWTGLANT, Norfolk as an LCAC instructor, where he assumed the role of Departmental LCPO for the Amphibious Warfare Department and LCAC Full Mission Trainer Schoolhouse.  While on board, Senior Chief attained his MTS in March 2021 and graduated from the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 240 in April 2021.  In February 2022, he assumed the role of Command Senior Enlisted Leader of EWTGLANT and currently holds the position.
 
Decorations include one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Military Voluntary Service Medal and various unit and campaign awards.