At Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Marines recently honored Tonya Callahan, making history as the first Sailor to be promoted to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer while serving with the 2nd Marine Division. Callahan received her promotion during a ceremony on Friday, conducted by 2nd Marine Division Commanding General, Major General Odoman. The ceremony took place just an hour away from her hometown of Newport.
Callahan enlisted in the Navy in 2003 and has dedicated 23 years of service as a Hospital Corpsman. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous significant operations, demonstrating her commitment to both her profession and her country. Her experiences include providing disaster relief following Hurricane Katrina, delivering humanitarian assistance in Beirut, Lebanon, and serving as a Recruit Division Training Commander at RTC Great Lakes, where she contributed to Navy basic training.
Reflecting on her career, Callahan shared her motivation for joining the Navy, saying, “I wanted to do something in the medical field, and serving my country at the same time would be rewarding.” She emphasized that her focus on “giving back to the future sailors and Marines” has been a sustaining force throughout her career.
In her role as a Hospital Corpsman, Callahan has been responsible for supporting healthcare professionals in delivering medical care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families. Her promotion marks a significant milestone in her journey, as she continues to lead by example in her service.
Callahan has been with the 2nd Marine Division since the Fall of 2023, and in the Summer of 2025, she is set to assume the position of Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor for the II Marine Expeditionary Force, where she will continue to have a significant impact on the medical support for the Marines and their families.
