NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), recently bid “fair winds and following seas” to its senior enlisted Sailor.

Command Master Chief (CMC) Sean Carolan has served as NAWCAD’s most senior enlisted advisor to NAWCAD’s commanding officer Rear Adm. Mark Darrah since November 2012.  Carolan has returned to his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where he will retire December 31 after 26 years of Navy service.

Carolan said working at NAWCAD with Sailors and civilians from different program offices was an enlightening and rewarding experience.

 “I came to NAWCAD from an operational squadron, so coming here and seeing all the hard work that goes into giving Sailors and Marines the proper tools to do their jobs was really eye opening,” he said. “What makes the Navy so great is the people, the Sailors, but it’s also the large contingent of the civilian workforce.”

 The newly retired master chief petty officer said his future plans center on his family and possibly a new career in law enforcement or education.

 “I officiate soccer and women’s lacrosse, so I’m probably going to continue that and I would like to return to school and study law enforcement or teaching,” said Carolan, adding that his main focus will be on his family, specifically his 8- and 13-year-old daughters as he helps them pursue their dreams.