203rd Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Spc. Brandon Babbitt

The Base Chapel was the site of a special military ceremony as the Navy personnel pinned anchors on 10 new Chief Petty Officers. For the sailors, it was an important day as they became senior non-commissioned officers.

"Today is about the Chiefs, for the Chiefs and done by the Chiefs," said Command Master Chief Stephen Murray, the host of event. "Now these 10 new Chiefs will walk out of this promotion ceremony with anchors on their collar, and at the same time will have more responsibilities on their shoulders in regards to taking care of sailors." The guest speaker, Capt. Lynn Welling, the Commanding Officer of the Medical Corps Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait, stressed his appreciation for the enlisted corps, and in particular the Chiefs.

"The Chiefs make up the backbone of the fleet," said Welling. "To this day, my Chiefs are still training me. Chiefs get the results that count."

Welling went on to warn the new Chiefs about always keeping their professionalism and discipline. He also stressed the importance of bringing new ideas and energies to the Fleet in order to guide and develop young sailors. Following Welling, the new Chiefs walked to the front of an audience full of military members of all branches. There, their sponsors pinned them with the anchor, and congratulated them on their promotion.

Following the ceremony, new Chief Petty Officer Elizabeth Plettner a member of the Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait of Fresno, Calif., expressed how nervous and exhilarated she was during the promotion ceremony. "Being a Chief is a special honor that I never want to take for granted and as long as I do my job and take care of people, the rest will fall in line," said Plettner.

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