Chief Personnel Specialist Melvin Azofeifa, a native of Costa Rica, enlisted in the United States Navy in December 2008 at 30 years old. He completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, and Personnel Specialist “A” School in Meridian, Mississippi. He reported to his first command, Personnel Support Detachment West in San Diego, in March 2009 and was meritoriously advanced to Third Class Petty Officer in September 2009.

In August 2011, he reported to NATO Training Mission Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan as an Individual Augmentee (IA) to serve under Deputy Commander Army.

Upon completion of his first shore duty tour in 2012, he advanced to Second Class Petty Officer and reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN FIVE (HSM-75) Coronado, CA, where he served as Assistant Leading Petty Officer. He earned his Air Warfare Specialist pin while deployed onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in 2013, and was advanced to First Class Petty Officer on WESTPAC 2013.

In November 2015, he reported to his second sea tour on USS PRINCETON (CG 59), where he served as Leading Petty Officer. In September 2017, he was selected to Chief. In 2018, PSC Azofeifa reported to his second shore duty at the Center for Service Support Newport, Rhode Island, as the Personnel Specialist Training Manager in charge of curriculum and training. He volunteered for his second Individual Augmentee (IA) tour, serving as Deputy Disbursing Officer at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, in June 2020. Here, he managed the largest overseas disbursing office and ensured daily accountability of $23M. Additionally, he served as Senior Enlisted Leader for the Comptroller department, ensuring timely and accurate financial accountability of $189.9M in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).

He is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s in Finance, obtained in 2001. Chief Azofeifa’s personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), and various unit awards.

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