Master Chief Aaron Zimmer enlisted in the Coast Guard on August 4th, 1990 in Grand Haven, Michigan, and most recently served as the Command Master Chief of Sector Miami, FL. During this tour he also temporarily commanded and got underway in USCGC COCHITO (WPB-87329), USCGC IBIS (WPB-87338), USCGC FINBACK (WPB-87314), USCGC SEAHAWK (WPB-87323), and USCGC DIAMONDBACK (WPB-87370).
His prior assignments include: Boat Forces Section Chief and Staff Command Master Chief of District Eleven in Alameda, CA; Officer in Charge of USCGC CORMORANT (WPB-87313) in Fort Pierce, FL; Officer in Charge of Station Toledo, OH; Instructor and Assistant School Chief of the Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, CA; Executive Petty Officer of Stations Atlantic City and Great Egg, NJ; Officer in Charge of Stations Jonesport and Eastport, ME; Executive Petty Officer of USCGC POINT HANNON (WPB-82355), Jonesport, ME; First Lieutenant of USCGC MATAGORDA (WPB-1303), Miami Beach, FL; temporary assignment to Station Marathon, FL for Operation Able Vigil, the Coast Guard’s response to over 30,000 people fleeing Cuba over a 5-week period; Station Fort Macon, NC; and USCGC POINT HIGHLAND (WBP-82333), Chincoteague, VA.
Master Chief Zimmer is a graduate of the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, and the Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Leadership Course. His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the DOT 9-11 Medal, and three Coast Guard Achievement Medals. He also earned the Permanent Cutterman, Permanent Coxswain, and Advanced Boat Forces Insignias, as well as the Officer in Charge Ashore and Afloat devices. Master Chief Zimmer was named the first Leadership Development Center Instructor of the Year, was the first recipient of the Ninth District’s McCune Award for Maritime Law Enforcement excellence, and was the among the inaugural group of the American Red Cross of Sandusky County, Ohio Everyday Heroes Award recipients for his work developing an ice safety education program which was presented to over 8,000 children.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Terrorism/Counter-Terrorism Concentration, a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security, and a Master’s Degree in Intelligence Studies. He holds a 100 Ton Master Credential.
Master Chief Zimmer is married to the former Tracie Watkins of Utica, Ohio. They have two children: Alexandra and Christoph, and reside in Sebastian, Florida.