Senior Chief Petty Officer Keshawn A. Spence was born in Salisbury, Maryland. Two years after graduating Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, Maryland, he entered the United States Navy and began Basic Training in Great Lakes, IL in 2002. 

Following Basic Training he completed Storekeeper (SK) “A” School at Naval Training Center, Meridian, MS. He reported to his first command VFA-203, in Marietta, Georgia from 2002-2004. His subsequent assignments include: Navy Operational Support Center, Puerto Rico (2004-2007), SEAL Team EIGHTEEN (2007-2010), ECRC FWD San Diego (2010-2011), USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37) (2011-2012), NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (2012-2014), USS CHAFEE (DDG 90) (2014-2016), and currently Commander Navy Air Force Reserve. Senior Chief Spence has completed three overseas deployments in Iraq (2009), Afghanistan (2010-2011), and a 2015 WESTPAC/Southern Seas deployment. 

Keshawn Spence earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo University in May 2009, an MBA in human resource administration in 2014, and is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 207 Red. His Navy qualifications include three warfare pins: Surface, Expeditionary, Aviation; and seven Navy Enlisted Classification codes. 

His personal decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (8th award), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (4 bronze stars), as well as other campaign and service awards.