WASHINGTON - Chief petty officers from across the region gathered at the United States Navy Memorial in downtown Washington, D.C., April 1 to mark the 117th anniversary of the creation of their grade.
In attendance for the wreath-laying ceremony was Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West, Chief of Navy Chaplains Rear Adm. Robert F. Burt and President and CEO of the United States Navy Memorial Rear Adm. Edward K. "Ted" Walker Jr., SC, retired USN. Also in attendance was the ninth MCPON James Herdt.
"There's not a day that goes by when I don't celebrate chief petty officers the world over," said Roughead. "How you inspire and lead our Sailors is truly remarkable."
Referring to chief petty officer's as the "engine that drives our Great Navy," West spoke about the role of the chief petty officer.
"Since 1893, chiefs have been charged with the duties and responsibilities of ensuring our Sailors are the best trained and equipped, ready to carry out our Navy's missions when called upon, often times with short notice," said West. "The strong legacy that our mess is founded on is more relevant today than any other time in the history of our great Navy."
Naval District Washington Command Master ChiefTerry Gaffney said the creation of the chief petty officer grade equalized the Navy with the other services, particularly the Army and Marine Corps who had senior NCOs, and also served as middle-managers for the Navy.
"[The creation of the chief petty officer grade] gave the enlisted Sailors a senior enlisted to go to that was a focal point and the same focal point for the officers going on down," said Gaffney.
Upon assuming the rank of chief, Sailors assume more administrative duties and their uniform changes, becoming similar to that of an officer's uniform except with different insignia. Sailors in the three chief petty officer ranks also have separate dining and living areas at sea.
Chief petty officers serve as both technical experts and as leaders, with the emphasis being on leadership as they progress through the ranks. They are also tasked with training junior officers.
Both the CNO and SECNAV acknowledged those chiefs that guided them when they were junior officers. Roughead recalled his first chief, Boatswain's Mate Chief Chester Brown, and how Brown not only showed him the ropes but "worked his magic on so many Sailors that I was truly in awe of him."
"Very few people in the world, very few people in our nation and very few people in our Navy can make as much of a difference in the lives of others as the United States Navy chief petty officer," said Roughead. "[Chief petty officers] transform the lives of the men and women who find our Navy and come and join us to serve around the world."
During his remarks, Mabus spoke about being pinned as an honorary chief at the United States Naval Academy.
"It was one of the greatest days of my life and great honors of my life," said Mabus as he opened his suit jacket to reveal his own anchor pin, a gesture that received a roar of applause from the crowd of more than 300 chiefs.
West spoke about how the celebration marks not just another year of chief petty officers serving, but everything it means to wear the fouled anchors.
"The fouled anchors our chiefs wear are symbols of our culture and way of life," said West. "They represent character, loyalty, pride and a strong commitment to our heritage. Our anchors carry with them the responsibility of living up to the tradition of 117 years of selfless service through chief petty officer leadership."
| Date Taken: |
04.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
04.02.2010 11:04 |
| Story ID: |
47603 |
| Location: |
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: |
265 |
| Downloads: |
195 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Chiefs Gather in Celebration of 117 Years of Deck Plate Leadership, by Darren Harrison, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
