 Sanders had been one of the six final candidates for selection as the fourth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) in 1979 but then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas B. Hayward selected Thomas S. Crow for the job.Sanders reported to Naval Air Facility Lajes, Azores, in February 1980 where he served as the maintenance chief and as command master chief.During this tour, he received the Navy Commendation Medal.