 As he neared the end of his MCPON tour, Crow suggested that Sanders apply again for selection as MCPON.Sanders declined but his Commanding Officer at Lajes nominated him anyway.Sanders transferred to the Naval Education and Training Program Development Center Saufley Field at Pensacola, Florida in February 1982 to serve as the Special Projects Division Officer, then on 16 July 1982, the new Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral James D. Watkins, announced that he had selected Sanders as the fifth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.