Combatant Craft Crewman Association, Inc.

03/04/2026

02/22/2026

Hooyah!

12/19/2025

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! May your celebration with loved ones be grand! To those deployed, rejoice in your Brotherhood and that you are so appreciated for carrying on the legacy of our community! God bless you!

10/07/2025

Announcement: CCCA Presidential Turnover – October 2025
To our CCCA Board Members, Membership, and Supporters,
As we approach our October 2025 Monthly Board Meeting, I wish to formally announce the planned turnover of the Combatant Craft Crewman Association (CCCA) Presidency. This transition marks the close of my tenure as your President—a role I have been deeply honored and humbled to serve for the past three terms.

Serving as your President has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional and personal life. Over the past decade, as a member of this Board, I have had the distinct honor of working alongside extraordinary teammates—men and women who embody the spirit, integrity, and brotherhood that define our community. Together, we have strengthened our association’s mission, expanded our outreach, and ensured the continued recognition of all Combatant Craft Crewmen, past and present.

I have the utmost confidence in our President-Elect, Paul “Doc” Niehaus. His proven leadership, commitment to excellence, and purpose-driven approach have already left a lasting impact on our organization. Paul has consistently demonstrated the vision, integrity, and drive needed to guide the CCCA into its next chapter. Under his leadership, I am certain the Association will continue to thrive—advancing our mission, honoring our heritage, and inspiring the next generation of Combatant Craft Crewmen.

I extend my sincere gratitude to each of you for your steadfast support, collaboration, and trust throughout my time in office. The progress we have achieved is not the work of one individual, but the collective effort of a dedicated and passionate team united in service to our community and its values.

As we prepare for this leadership transition, I remain confident that the CCCA will continue to grow in strength and purpose. Our mission remains clear, our values unwavering, and our future bright.

Thank you once again for the honor of serving you and this remarkable organization. It has been a true privilege to lead among peers who live by the same creed of service, excellence, and brotherhood that defines the Combatant Craft Crewman.

With deepest respect and gratitude,

Joseph Zemlin, CWO4 USN (Ret.)
President, Combatant Craft Crewman Association, Inc.

09/27/2025

📣 Congratulations to Paul Niehaus – President Elect of the Combatant Craft Crewman Association (CCCA), Inc.

The Combatant Craft Crewman Association (CCCA), a 501(c)(3) benevolent charity, is proud to announce and congratulate Paul Niehaus as our newly elected President-Elect.

Paul brings with him a lifetime of service, leadership, and commitment to the Navy’s Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC) community. A retired Special Boat Chief (SWCC, CC, FMF) with an impressive 32 years of Naval service, Paul’s journey began in 1973. Over the course of his career, he served 14 years alongside U.S. Marine Corps units and 16 years with Special Boat Unit 22 and Special Boat Team 22, qualifying as Crewman, Boat Captain, and Patrol Officer on platforms including the PBR, Minis, PBLs, and SOC-R.

In both Active Duty and Reserve commands, Paul served as a Senior Medical Representative, Lead Training Instructor, and Weapons and Range Instructor, deploying extensively throughout Central and South America, as well as with multiple Task Forces at home and abroad. Following his retirement from the Navy in 2005, Paul has remained a pillar of mentorship, continuing to support CPO Initiation Seasons for more than 20 years. He guides the next generation of Chiefs with the wisdom and standards that define our Navy heritage.

Paul’s leadership has also shone in his role supporting Region 2 (Midwest), where he has been a driving force for the CCCA’s missions and community involvement. Leading by example, Paul has set the bar of excellence for others to follow. His purpose-driven approach has strengthened our regional presence, expanded outreach, and reinforced the bonds of brotherhood and service that remain at the heart of the Association’s mission.

Paul’s service extends far beyond the uniform. He has been deeply involved in veterans’ organizations, including the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, and Rolling Thunder, while also dedicating over 36 years as a Reserve Law Enforcement Officer with assignments in Marine Enforcement, Special Operations, Patrol, and Training. In his civilian career, Paul excelled as a Project Manager in international medical imaging, achieving PMP certification and overseeing major projects across multiple states before retiring in 2019.

Currently, Paul continues his support of the SWCC community as the CCCA Ambassador to Special Boat Team 22, exemplifying the spirit of service and advocacy that has defined his career.

“I have the utmost confidence in Paul Niehaus to lead the CCCA into the future. His purpose-driven leadership and lifelong commitment to our community make him the right leader at the right time.”
— Joseph Zemlin, CCCA President

The CCCA is honored to welcome Paul Niehaus as our President-Elect. His lifelong dedication to country, community, and brotherhood reflects the very mission of our Association—to honor, support, and preserve the legacy of Combatant Craft Crewmen across generations.

Please join us in congratulating Paul on this well-deserved recognition and in celebrating the leadership he will bring to our organization’s future.