 Following advanced schooling in Radarman "B" School at Treasure Island and San Diego, Walker was assigned to .Homeported in Davisville, Rhode Island, the Guardian was a converted World War II liberty ship being used for radar surveillance.During this tour, Walker was advanced to the newly created rank of senior chief petty officer in 1961 and at the relatively young age of 34, reached the pinnacle of the enlisted ranks and was promoted to master chief on November 16, 1963.