Ready, Set, INDOC! Wasp Sailors Prepare For Their Chevrons

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Koons | Petty Officer 1st Class Petagaye Blair, aviation support equipment technician, instructs USS Wasp Petty Officer 3rd Class selectees on leadership skills during Petty Officer Indoctrination class, June 8. The class is taught mainly by Wasp?s 1st class petty officers, and deals with a variety of topics including naval heritage, ethics, communication, values, career planning, and leadership tools. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew McCord)  

ATLANTIC OCEAN, AT SEA

05.27.2010

Courtesy Story

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

By Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew J. McCord

ATLANTIC OCEAN – Forty-four Sailors aboard the Amphibious Assault Ship USS Wasp received news of their advancement to the next rank, May 27, including 16 Sailors who will become Wasp’s newest non-commissioned officers. In preparation for their new rank and responsibilities, these Sailors have spent the week in a seminar known as Petty Officer Indoctrination.

The new third class petty officers were officially advanced during a frocking ceremony, June 11.

Petty Officer Indoctrination, a three-day course designed to teach soon-to-be-frocked 3rd Class Petty Officers about their new roles as junior leaders in the Navy, has offered the attending Sailors some food for thought.

“Being [in Petty Officer Indoctrination] lets us know that we’re in a position of leadership, and helps to explain our roles,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Madison Kinlaw, operations specialist.

“There’s a lot of information, but it really gives us an idea of how to guide … how to have correct leadership techniques and how to deal with whatever we’re handed, and at the same time shows us how to groom [our subordinates].”

Petty Officer Indoctrination is taught mainly by Wasp’s first class petty officers, and deals with a variety of topics including Naval heritage, ethics, communication, values, career planning, and leadership tools. Further, the first class petty officers instructors are taking time to give their personal views on what it means to be a non-commissioned officer in the Navy, and how to deal with the everyday situations that arise, including self control, time management, and dignity and respect for self and peers.

“It’s a major accomplishment for a young Sailor to reach the rank of Petty Officer,” said Petty Officer Indoctrination facilitator Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Bastien, aviation ordnanceman. “This is the chance for these new petty officers to execute their own style of supervisory skills, and we provide our newly-selected petty officers with all the tools and information they will need to begin their path of becoming strong, knowledgeable leaders.”

Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Lowell D. Crow noted that while many of the participants may be seasoned Sailors, they’re new petty officers, and the new roles, responsibilities, and expectations must be firmly cemented prior to their frocking.

“Our goal is to set these Sailors up for success – to continue with the skill and tenacity that they’ve already displayed by reaching this milestone,” said Crow. “Having a group of great Sailors is outstanding, but we want a group of great petty officers. We want individuals who can take the reins, if need be, and who can lead confidently and in a manner consistent with values of the Navy. Petty Officer Indoctrination is the vehicle we use to start them down this avenue.”

For many of the Sailors, the indoctrination reiterated what they’d learned and seen during their time in the Navy. Others found that several of the classes shed light on topics that they’d previously not thought about. The Sailors, however, claim have one dramatic point in common: They are ready for their chevrons, and for their new roles.

“I’m looking forward to it, and being able to help other people more,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class (Select), hull technician, Amber Robinson. “We’re going to be able to offer new ideas for both our leadership and for those people who are working for us. It’s an increased responsibility and this [Petty Officer Indoctrination] helps with that. You can’t teach someone how to be a petty officer, but you can give them the tools.”

• Date Taken: 05.27.2010
• Date Posted: 06.17.2010 00:37
• Story ID: 51503
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN, AT SEA