A native of Charleston, South Carolina enlisted in the Navy in June 2007. He attended boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, he reported to Nuclear Field “A” School in Goose Creek, South Carolina. He completed Nuclear Electrician’s Mate “A” School, but was later reassigned to Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, CT. He then completed Submarine Electronics and Computer Field apprenticeship training and was re-rated to a Navigation Electronics Technician.
Upon graduation, he reported for duty onboard the fast attack Submarine USS Alexandria SSN-757 in Groton, CT. After completion of his sea tour, Master Chief Dopson completed a shore tour as support staff at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, South Carolina. His next assignment was to USS PASADENA SSN-752, then stationed in San Diego, California. In the fall of 2019, USS PASADENA conducted a change of homeport to Norfolk. In 2020, he transferred to Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center to relieve as the Submarine Divisional Leading Chief and later as the Engineering Department Master Chief.
Master Chief Dopson served as the Chief of the Boat of USS COLUMBUS (SSN 762) in Newport News, VA, from June 2022 to February 2025. Continuing his career as a Command Master Chief, he served at Submarine Learning Facility Norfolk before assuming his current role as the Command Master Chief for Naval Support Activity (NSA) Portsmouth.
His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards), and various unit and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 10 December 2025