FORCM(SW/AW) William P. Houlihan enlisted in the Navy from Saginaw, Michigan in 1989 and reported to Journalist “A” School immediately following Recruit Training that winter. He reported to Far East Network Subic Bay, Philippines in 1990 where he covered the historic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the US Forces eventual withdrawal from Naval Station Subic Bay and Clark Air Base.
Houlihan served at Navy Broadcasting Service Adak, Alaska from 1992 to 1994 before transferring to his first sea-going command, USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), in 1994. He spent three years aboard KITTY HAWK, deploying twice, earning his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Qualification, and promotion to First Class Petty Officer. He reported to the Defense Information School in 1997, where he served as a broadcast journalism instructor.
He was selected to Chief Petty Officer in 1999 and Initiated by the Fort Meade CPO Mess. Houlihan transferred to USS IWO JIMA in 2000, and had the honor of commissioning LHD 7 in 2001. Houlihan and IWO JIMA deployed twice before he transferred in 2004, earning his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification while onboard.
Chief Petty Officer Houlihan reported to Navy Personnel Command, Millington, TN in 2004 and served as public affairs LCPO there for one year before assignment to Armed Forces Network Iraq in Baghdad in 2005, as news director. Following a twelve month tour there, he reported back to Millington only to join MCPON Joe Campa’s staff as Public Affairs Chief later that year. Houlihan served in that capacity for Campa and MCPON Rick West until 2010. He reported to USS CARL VINSON later that year.
Onboard VINSON, Houlihan served as Media Department LCPO and was selected to Mass Communication Specialist Master Chief in 2011. After his selection to Command Master Chief in 2013, his first Command Senior Enlisted Leader tour was aboard USS MILIUS (DDG 69). Houlihan served the Sailors of MILIUS as CMC for three years, followed by tours at Naval Station Mayport, Commander Navy Region Southeast, Command Senior Enlisted Leader Detailer and assumed his current position as NPC FORCM in May 2023.
Houlihan has attended the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 127), the CMC/COB Course, the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course and the Navy’s Post Graduate School in Monterey. He and his Shipmates earned Battle Efficiency Awards, “Battle E”, onboard KITTY HAWK, IWO JIMA, CARL VINSON and MILIUS.