Meet the Command Master Chief
CMC Joseph D. LaCue Jr.
Master Chief LaCue was born in San Benito, Texas and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on 28 April 1998. He completed recruit training in Cape May, New Jersey and reported to the USCGC Cheyenne (WLR-75405) (River Tender) as a Seaman Apprentice in St. Louis, Missouri. Six months later, he advanced to Seaman and placed his name on the AMT “A” school list. On March 1999, he reported to USCG Air Station Corpus Christi to start the airman program. He later earned his designation as an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) after attending “A” School at the Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Upon completion, Master Chief LaCue reported back for duty as a HH-65A/B aviation maintenance technician/flight mechanic at USCG Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. In 2006, Master Chief LaCue earned the opportunity to change ratings and crossed over to the Avionics Electrical Technician (AET) rating.
Master Chief LaCue then transferred to the Aviation Training Center (ATC) in Mobile, Alabama as an AET where he served and qualified on multiple aircrafts to include the MH-65C Dolphin, MH-60J/T Jayhawk, and the HC-144A Casa. Upon completion of his tour, he transferred to the Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC) where he advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and served as the Phase 3 and Phase 4 “A” School instructor and acting School Chief. Following this tour, he transferred to USCG Air Station Kodiak, Alaska and served as the Program Senior Chief to stand up the HC-130J program where he advanced to Senior Chief in July of 2017. One year later, he also assumed the duties as the HC-130H Platform Manager responsibilities. In July of 2019, he was selected and received orders to serve as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) and Aviation Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) at USCG Air Station Washington. In June of 2022, Master Chief LaCue was selected and awarded the opportunity to serve as the Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL). In July of 2024, Master Chief LaCue was granted the privilege to serve in his current billet as the TRACEN Petaluma Command Master Chief.
Master Chief LaCue currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a graduate of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy (Class 196) and the Senior Enlisted Leadership course (Class 83).
Master Chief LaCue is qualified to wear the Enlisted Aircrew device. His personal awards include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards), Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Letter of Commendation (five awards) and a host of various campaign and unit awards.