Command Master Chief Vira was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a native of North Plainfield, N.J. He enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1998 and attended Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill. Following recruit training, he completed Mess Management Specialist “A” School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Vira is a graduate from Johnson & Wales University with an A.A.S. in Culinary Arts in 1998 and a B.S. in Food Service Management in 2019.
His sea service commands include USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67); USS Robert D. Stethem (DDG 63) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan; and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). He served ashore at Submarine Base New London, Conn.; Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C.; Naval Station Newport, R.I.; and Naval Support Facility Redzikowo, Poland.
In 2020, Vira was selected for the Command Senior Enlisted Leader program and served as Command Senior Enlisted Leader aboard USS Dextrous (MCM 13) forward deployed to Manama, Bahrain, and as Command Master Chief aboard USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). He is currently serving as Command Master Chief for Naval Station Newport where he assumed the duties on June 17, 2024.
Vira is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 173-Blue), Command Master Chief Course (Class 20140), and Advanced Command Master Chief Course (Class 24100). His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (7 awards), and various service and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 3 March 2025