Navy Promotes New Chiefs in Baghdad

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Sailors participate in the Fiscal Year 2010 Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony at the Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq, Sept. 16. The CPO Pinning is a 116-year naval tradition indicating the Sailor has completed the transition from the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class to CPO.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.29.2009

Story by Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sanford 

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Twenty seven "Sandbox Sailors" donned the anchors of a Chief Petty Officer for the first time during a pinning ceremony here at Al Faw Palace, Sept 16.

The ceremony is the culmination of the six-week chief petty officer induction process.
"The Chief's Induction season is vital in bringing the newest chiefs into the Chief's Mess the correct way," said Naval Forces Central Command Forward Iraq Master Chief Jerry Pittman. "We do this by instilling the type of leadership that cannot be exercised in a vacuum, but as a Mess."

The new chiefs, comprised of Sailors from 25 commands, covering 13 Forward Operating Bases, including one Sailor flown in from U.S Central Command's Joint Security Office Qatar, had freshly completed the CPO Induction process and took to the palace stage during the early-afternoon ceremony.

"It was a long six weeks, but I learned a lot about leadership, the Navy and myself," said Chief Petty Officer Shelly Zakimi, a newly-frocked chief petty officer. "I'm so proud to now be a part of this great chief petty officers mess and I hope my addition makes them even stronger."

The CPO pinning ceremony is a 116-year naval tradition indicating the Sailor has completed the transition from the rank of petty officer first class to CPO. During the event, veteran chiefs pinned and, in some cases "Velcroed," the coveted anchors to the new chiefs, many wearing the U.S. Army Combat Uniform. The Sailors are currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Because of their unique situation here while deployed to Iraq, they weren't able to be pinned in the traditional khaki uniform," said Senior Chief Storekeeper Beryl O'Connor, chief petty officer induction chairman. "But we received special permission to pin the lapel anchors onto the ACU uniforms, as well as place special eight-point covers upon each of their heads."

Newly-pinned Chief Petty Officer Derek Hartman said that getting promoted in a joint environment made the process even more special.

"Getting frocked in front of such a diverse audience was a great opportunity for the Navy to share its heritage with our joint-service counterparts," he said. "Plus, being pinned in Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

The Sailors are currently operating in a joint-service environment with Soldiers, Airmen and Marines encompassing all military services. They will now take on increased leadership roles, while carrying on with their missions' in support of sovereign Iraq.

The newly pinned chief petty officers include, Hartman, Zakimi, Jay Aliason, Marc Bailey, Albert Callos, Scott Dayton, Karen Dicenso, Richard Fernandez, Mason Grant, Christopher Hasenfus, Freddie Hicks, Jill Holliger, Kelvin Jackson, Ernest Johnson, Dennis Mattingly, CTIC Jason Mills, Arnold Morgan, Glenn Pangco, David Petty, Ervin Powell, Richard Rendon, Marie RomanCardona, Henry Santos, Frederic Thomas, Cherryl Torres, Eric Treece, and Calvin Wilson.

• Date Taken: 09.29.2009
• Date Posted: 09.29.2009 10:42
• Story ID: 39427
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ