A native of Fagaitua, American Samoa, and a Master of Science in Management graduate from Excelsior College, Master Chief Josephine Tauoa enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1996 as a Machinist Mate.

Over a distinguished career, she rose through the ranks to Machinist Mate Master Chief in 2019 before lateral converting to Command Master Chief in 2020. She was subsequently selected as Command Master Chief (CMDCM) and assigned to USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93).

Her operational assignments include USS Simon Lake (AS 33); USS Coronado (AGF 11); USS Emory S. Land (AS 39); USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6); USS Halsey (DDG 97) 3MC/Top Snipe; and USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93) as Command Master Chief.

Ashore, Master Chief Tauoa served at Trident Training Facility (Kings Bay, GA), Recruit Training Command (Great Lakes, IL), and Afloat Training Group (Norfolk, VA).

She holds qualifications as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Aviation Warfare Specialist, and Information Warfare Specialist. Her leadership excellence has been recognized with the Distinguished Leadership Award at Recruit Training Command and the Afloat Trainer of the Year Award (2017-2018) at Afloat Training Group Norfolk. While serving as Command Master Chief aboard USS Chung Hoon, she was honored with the 2020-2021 Delbert Black Award.

Master Chief Tauoa is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat course, and the Major Command Master Chief course.

She previously served ashore as Staff Command Master Chief for Commander, Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) Pearl Harbor and currently serves as Command Master Chief of Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.