Master Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Rick Trent served as the seventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from July 1, 1994 to May 31, 1998. Previous command cadre assignments included Command Master Chief for the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama and the Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda, California.
A Coast Guard veteran of more than 35 years, Master Chief Trent's assignments included Air Stations in Massachusetts, Bermuda, Alabama, Hawaii, and Florida. He held search and rescue aircrewman designations on HU-16, HC-130, HH3F, and HH-52 aircraft. In flight, he normally fulfilled the duties of radioman, navigator, or hoist operator. Other experience has included Electronics Technician, Collateral Duty Command Master Chief, Collateral Duty Career Information Specialist and Avionics Leading Chief Petty Officer. He has also served on two Total Quality Management Executive Steering Committees.
Master Chief Trent attended more than 20 specialized training courses during his career. He is a graduate of the Coast Guard Senior Leadership and Management School, the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy and the DEOMI Equal Opportunity Program Managers Course.
While attending the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, Master Chief Trent was selected by his peers to receive the "Spirit of the Chief Award". Other recognition included the "LT Robert A. Perchard Memorial Trophy", the Mobile Chapter Chief Petty Officer Association "Chief of the Year" award; and he was the "Coast Guard Enlisted Ancient Albatross" from December 1, 1995 to June 30, 1998.
Master Chief Trent's military awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, two Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Secretary's Outstanding Unit Award, two Coast Guard Unit Commendations with "O" device, seven Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations with "O" device, the Bicentennial Unit Commendation, ten Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, three Humanitarian Service Medals, the Special Operations Service ribbon, and the Coast Guard Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship ribbons.