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    NMLC Recognizes the 121st Navy Chiefs’ Birthday

    NMLC Recognizes the 121st Navy Chiefs’ Birthday

    Photo By Julius Evans | HMC Vilma Bauer and HMC John McGilvery prepare to cut the ceremonial cake at Naval...... read more read more

    FREDERICK, MD, UNITED STATES

    04.01.2014

    Story by Julius Evans 

    Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg, VA

    FREDERICK, Md. - For 121 years, the United States Navy has celebrated the coveted rank of the Chief Petty Officer. In a ceremony held Apr. 1, Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) acknowledged the rank at its offices on Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md.

    Both those from the active duty and retired ranks were recognized as NMLC’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Mary S. Seymour, provided remarks during the ceremony that made apparent the gratitude bestowed upon those being recognized for their consistent contributions to the command.

    “I have witnessed the benefit our chiefs have given the junior Sailors and even our junior officer from the years of experience and expertise they bring -- from those who still wear the uniform and from those who have long since hung their uniforms up,” Seymour said. “Our chiefs are actively engaged at all levels of the command and I haven’t seen a single instance where they have not risen to the task and been the example for all to emulate.”

    Those words practically mirror what the Navy’s senior enlisted Sailor touted in his recent comments to the fleet.

    “Since 1893, our Navy has placed a great charge on Chief Petty Officers. We’ve been asked to lead and serve our Sailors, no matter the circumstance or situation, and these are surely challenging times,” said Mike Stephens, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. “There are many things beyond our control that have the potential to distract us from the tasks at hand. Fortunately, it’s in our DNA to embrace these challenges, seek opportunities and find solutions.”

    One chief shared a personal story of challenges he faced with a shipmate he mentored and the results that person achieved partially based on the time and attention the chief directed toward her personal development.

    “A Yeoman Seaman I was stationed with in 2004 got mixed up with the wrong crowd and her professional and personal life began to decline. I spent many hours mentoring and counseling her on everything you could imagine,” explained Chief Yeoman Christopher Howk, NMLC’s Administration Chief. “She left in 2005 and I had no contact with her until she emailed me in 2012, thanking me for all the time and effort I put into her career. She told me she had been promoted to petty officer first class and had recently made the promotion board. She said she knows, without a doubt, that she wouldn't be where she is today had I not spent that extra time trying to make her successful.”

    That’s the sort of contribution MCPON Stevens referenced in his comments to the fleet when he specifically addressed the unselfish attitude chiefs around the Navy are called upon to exhibit routinely.
    “Make no mistake about it, being an effective CPO requires a level of effort that is uncommon. Being a CPO is not for amateurs. I believe with all my heart that your ability to lead and influence our Sailors is absolutely critical to our success; we could even say that it is absolutely critical to our survival,” Stevens said. “We have the responsibility to walk the walk – lead by example, and take control of what we own.”

    In many instances, that ‘plank’ of responsibility to success swings both ways. Howk explained the influence one of his chiefs had on him when he was an up-and-coming Sailor new to the Navy.

    “When I enlisted in 1991, the first person I met was Chief Fire Controlmen Ludke, my Recruit Division Commander at boot camp. Just watching the way he carried himself and the way he instructed us was all the inspiration I needed to attempt to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer,” Howk said. “During the NMLC Chief’s Birthday ceremony, I thought about Chief Ludke and a lot of the lessons he taught flooded my memories. To me, that is the power of being a Chief -- to have the ability to train and teach someone lessons they may not use immediately, but almost 23 years later, they still remember them, almost word for word, and how they were instructed or demonstrated.”
    Stevens also described the commitment Chiefs are charged with in how they are expected to be living examples for those who might be watching without their knowing.

    “You must be ‘All In, All the Time.’ We must live honest and humble lives because our Sailors can see between the lines. They can see through the chief who tells his or her Sailors one thing, but does the opposite on the weekends. You must live and lead consistently.”
    One retired chief agreed with those thoughts because he still feels a sense of belonging to a group he was a part of when he was on active duty and remains involved with in retirement.

    “Even though I am retired now, I am proud to know I am part of one of the most dedicated, motivated and innovative communities in the military,” said retired Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Schomer, NMLC Supply Specialist, Operational Forces Directorate. “Seeing the active chiefs representing the chief’s mess today, I know they are keeping the traditions alive.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.01.2014
    Date Posted: 04.07.2014 16:29
    Story ID: 124744
    Location: FREDERICK, MD, US

    Web Views: 179
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN