Senior Chief Thomas, a native of Washington, graduated from Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Washington in 1983.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1984, under the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), and began active duty in March 1985.
    
After completing Recruit Training in Orlando, Florida and graduation from Electronic Warfare "A" School in Pensacola, Florida, Senior Chief Thomas reported for his first duty onboard USS TEXAS (CGN 39) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton Washington, where he was an AN/SLQ-32 Operator.  In February 1987, he returned to Navy Technical Training Center for Maintenance "C" School training on the AN/SLQ-32 until October 1987.
    
His next tour, which commenced in December 1987, took him to Naval Station Long Beach, California, onboard USS WADSWORTH (FFG 9).  He was employed as an operator and technician in support of AN/SLQ-32 training and operations to Naval Reserve personnel.  In March 1991, he reported to the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California. During this time, he was assigned as Leading Petty Officer of Spanagel Hall as Senior Lab Technician supervising the microwave and Radar/ECM labs.
 
After an interim training period in Pensacola, Florida, Senior Chief Thomas reported to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) in May 1993 as OW Division Leading Petty Officer. During this time period, he qualified as Combat Information Center Watch Officer and was selected to Chief Petty Officer. In December 1994, he transferred to USS MERRILL (DD 976) as OW Division's Leading Chief Petty Officer and ship's Electronic Warfare Officer.
    
In November 1996, he transferred to the East Coast onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). He served as Combat Systems Electronic Warfare Division Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer.  In April 1999, he reported to Afloat Training Group, Norfolk, Virginia, as Command and Control Warfare Leading Chief Petty Officer in support of training the Atlantic Fleet units during their Inter-Deployment Training Cycle.
    
Reported to Naval Security Group Activity, Whidbey Island, Washington in August 2002 where he was employed as the Operations Department Chief.  In October 2003, he assumed duties as Command Senior Chief.
    
In April 2005, he attended the Senior Enlisted Academy, Newport, Rhode Island.  In June 2005, he reported to Commander, Carrier Strike Group THREE as the Assistant Electronic Warfare Officer.
    
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and numerous unit and service awards.

He completed his Associates in Science in Electronic Technology from Monterey Peninsula College in 1993 and is presently taking courses to complete his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration at Columbia College.