Master Chief Petty Officer Hovik is a Virginia native. He graduated from Salem High School in 1990 and immediately entered the Navy, received recruit training and Radioman training at San Diego, Ca and reported to Administrative Support Unit Bahrain in April 1991 with follow on tours in USS Gettysburg (CG-64), Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Detachment London, United Kingdom and then as a Communications Support Technician at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
In March 2002 Hovik reported to USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) where he served as Leading Petty Officer and Leading Chief Petty Officer and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February 2004 Hovik reported to Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic Norfolk where he served as the Communications Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. In February 2007 Hovik reported to MCM Crew Exultant embarked USS Dextrous (MCM-13) in Manama, Bahrain where he served as the Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer and Communications Officer. Followed by his assignment as a Detailer for IT Rating Assignments at Navy Personnel Command and assignment onboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) as the C5I Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. In February 2012 he was selected for the Command Master Chief Program and served in USS MASON (DDG 87) and USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17).
Hovik has obtained the following NECs and Qualifications: Advanced Network Analysis, Network Security Vulnerability Technician, Information Systems Security Manager, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Naval Parachutist, Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist, Officer of the Deck Underway and Master Training Specialist. He holds a Bachelors of Liberal Studies Degree from Excelsior College of New York and is a graduate of Senior Enlisted Academy Class 160 and the Command Master Chief, Chief of the Boat Course Class 100.
Hovik’s personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), Navy Good Conduct Medal (4), Overseas Service ribbons (3), Sea Service Ribbons (4), Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Expert Pistol Medal, the Navy Expert Rifle Medal and various unit and campaign awards.