The ceremony followed the last day of combat operation for the carrier in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The ceremony took place in Hanger Bay 2 aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) at about 10 in the morning. Once the officers, enlisted and guests had fallen in ranks and taken their seats, the elevator was lowered presenting the chief selectees. The ceremony began with words from Rear Admiral Scott Hebner (commander of Carrier Strike Group Seven) and Captain Ken Norton (commanding officer of CVN 76). Captain Thomas Lalor (commander of Carrier Air Wing 14) also gave his regards to the new selectees. The pinning was coordinated by Command Master Chief CMDCM (AW/SW/SS) Mark W. Rudes.
Schultz joined the Navy in September of 1997 and graduated Aviation Electrician School in June of 1998 in Pensacola, Fla. His first set of orders took him to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, Okla., where he served from June 1998 to May 2002 with VQ-4 Shadows. Following his orders with the Shadows he reported as a Naval Recruiter for recruiting station Denton, Ohio, from August 2002 until May of 2005. In May of 2005 he became part of the Cougar team stationed at VAQ-139 in Whidbey Island Washington. Schultz has made four deployments on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) in the Western Pacific since.
During his experiences in the Navy, Schultz has had the opportunity to visit many different ports including Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai and Guam.
Schultz is a 1997 graduate of Decatur High School. He is married to Tamara Schultz (Ridenour), and the couple have a son, Andrew, 2.
