B

orn in Milwaukee, WI, Senior Chief Datka was raised in Oconomowoc, WI, and attended High School at Centennial Senior High in Circle Pines, MN.

Senior Chief Datka enlisted in the US Navy in July 1999, under the Delayed Entry Program, with the Mentorship of his Grandmother, Pharmacists Mate Third Class Carol Wegner, US Navy WAVES. Followed in the footsteps of his Great Grandfather Watertender Third Class Spencer McElroy and Grandfather Shipfitter Third Class Harvey Wegner, after graduating high school, he attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, IL, in July 2000. He then completed Aviation Maintenance Administrationman ‘A’ School at Naval Air Station Meridian, MS.

In December 2000, he reported to his first duty station aboard NAS Jacksonville, FL, with Commander Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing Atlantic Fleet. During his assignment, he joined the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) for pre-deployment workups and INSURV inspections. He also attended the NAS Jax Auxiliary Security Force Academy and was subsequently activated to the base Police Department after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. He was approved for rating conversion to the Master-at-Arms (Navy Police) rating in 2002 and reported to MA ‘A’ School at Naval Station San Diego, CA, in January 2003. His other shore duty assignments include NAS Jax, NAS Key West, Naval Support Facility Deveselu Romania, and Naval Station Norfolk. While assigned to NAS Key West, he was selected as the 2010 Senior Sailor of the Year.

His Sea Duty/Deploying assignments include Mobile Security Squadron Seven – Detachment 71, Guam; HS-11 Dragonslayers, NAS Jax; USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) and USS COLE (DDG 67), NAVSTA Norfolk; and USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), NAVSTA Mayport. While assigned to MSS-7, he deployed on USS CORONADO (AGF 11), USNS GYSGT FRED W. STOCKHAM (TAK 3017) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, USNS PFC JAMES ANDERSON (TAK 3002) in support of Tsunami Relief Operations in Thailand, and USNS MERCY (TAH 19) in support of Operation Unified Assistance during Tsunami Relief Operations in Indonesia. While Assigned to HS-11, he deployed on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), during it’s 2006 World Cruise in direct support of OIF & OEF.

Josh was selected to the paygrade of Chief Petty Officer in 2013 and Senior Chief in 2019. He is a “Plankowner” of both MSS-7 and NSF Deveselu. He retired from Naval Service on January 31st, 2023. His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (Three Awards), Navy Achievement Medal (Nine Awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and numerous other unit and campaign awards. He is authorized to wear the Enlisted Surface Warfare and Enlisted Aviation Warfare specialist insignia’s.

Josh and his wife Tricia now live in Middleburg, FL with their sons, Joshua, Spencer, and Teddy.