Date of interview: 7 November 2025
Dr. Johnny J Moye, a retired U.S. Navy master chief petty officer and distinguished technology educator, authored the award-winning Master Chief’s Sea Stories. After a 27-year career of service, ten years as a public educator, and now into retirement, he’s told a story like no other, all while keeping his honeybees. Having received military and civilian awards along the way, he’s honored and humbled to now have become an award-winning author.
MWSA: How has MWSA helped your writing and/or marketing skills?
Johnny Moye: As a new member and Silver Medal Award winner, I humbly attended the 2025 Military Writers Society of America conference in Kansas City, MO, where authors, including myself, received awards for our authorship. I was and am thoroughly impressed with the administration and professionalism of MWSA directors and attendees. I met several prior-military folks who positively impressed and encouraged me. Based on what I saw and felt, I've become more a more confident writer.
MWSA: What encouraged you to write The Master Chief's Sea Stories?
Johnny Moye: From a very young age I knew I'd someday become a sailor. Shortly after high school graduation, I did. Incredibly, I maintained a journal almost every day while at sea and many while in-port. From my first days aboard my first ship, the USS Manitowoc, I imagined how some day I'd tell my story to the world. Beginning six years ago, based on my journals, I've now published five volumes of, if I may say so, the remarkably amazing story of my life, not just as a sailor, but also how I matured from a naive boy from the hills to a “leader of leaders.” Come follow my journey.
MWSA: Why do you say yours is a remarkably amazing story?
Johnny Moye: Well basically, because it is. When following and examining my journey, we find a sailor in remarkably difficult situations, some too difficult to believe, many encouraging spiritual awakenings—and that’s not hyperbole, the story tells it all.
MWSA: It sounds like you are excited to tell your story. What, if anything, would a reader gain from what you tell?
Johnny Moye: The short answer is, “a lot.” More specifically, even though my story differs from others, maturing into one’s oneself is common. What these volumes capture is the maturation of a hill-boy who wholeheartedly strove to better himself while struggling to meet the demands of duty at sea. We all can learn from a point I’ve written: “This factual account details experiences ranging from tragic to euphoric ... sometimes on the same day.” There are a few life lessons within those experiences, and I tell of them.
MWSA: That’s a confident answer to what some may consider a difficult question. What is the lesson you are most proud of telling?
Johnny Moye: Now that’s a difficult question to answer. Having written literally thousands of life-changing stories, it is difficult to pinpoint just one. So, I’ll tell of something my father expressed to me as a boy, guiding me through this journey we call life, to “always get something good out of a bad situation.” Time and time again, through each volume I’ve written of the benefits of applying that way of thinking—that way of life.
MWSA: So, what now?
Johnny Moye: Yet another difficult question as none of us know the future, do we? Over the next several years I intend to continue following my journal guiding me into the latter years of my naval service. These were important years of learning and development. The knowledge and experience I gained from that period of my life benefited me greatly as an educational leader. I’m excited to tell the rest of the story of the boy from the hills who always knew he’d be a sailor.