Chief Pinning

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jayme Pastoric | Newly pinned Chief, stand at attention during U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay's Chief pinning ceremony Sept 16, 2008. Dressed in their traditional khaki uniform, the new chiefs received their pins and service covers before shaking hands with most guests in a long receiving line. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detained enemy combatants, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the Global War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

09.19.2008

Story by Sgt. Gretel Weiskopf 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Nineteen Navy chief covers lay glimmering under the hot lights in U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay's Windjammer Ballroom for the Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony, held here, Sept. 16, 2008.

"The voice of a Chief is clear and direct ... Once spoken, there is no question of intent," said Navy Capt. Mark Leary, commander of the Naval Station. "Chiefs are the builders of Sailors and the builders of the future."

Achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, or E-7, is a prestigious accomplishment no other service regards as highly as the Navy. Chief's are considered experts in their field and are charged with completing the mission and developing Sailors.

These newly pinned Chiefs started the promotion process by taking their rating exam in January. If they passed, they had to put a packet together to be reviewed by a board who would then decide if they could be eligible to become a Chief Select. Once a Chief Select, these candidates endured a 47-day training regime to ensure they were proficient in all areas needed in order to be named Chief.

The ceremony only lasted one hour, but in its duration, 19 Navy Petty Officers and one Coast Guard Petty Officer were pinned the rank of Chief Petty Officer, piped into the Chief's Mess, and charged with all of its responsibilities.

"You are now a Chief. The exalted position you have now achieved – and the word exalted is used advisedly – exists because of the attitude and performance of the Chiefs before you. It shall exist only as long as you and your fellow Chiefs maintain these standards." – Chief Petty Officer's Creed

• Date Taken: 09.19.2008
• Date Posted: 09.23.2008 08:22
• Story ID: 24026
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU