Courtesy Photo | USS Wasp's newest group of Chiefs bow their heads in prayer during their pinning...... read more read more
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NORFOLK, Va. – A group of 10 USS Wasp sailors made the momentous leap to Chief Petty Officer during a Chief’s pinning ceremony Sept. 16.
“Today is the happiest day of my life,” said Chief Petty Officer (SW) Galen Draper, personnel specialist. “It’s the culmination of 16 years of hard work and effort by me and the sailors whom I’ve worked with.”
“Having attained this position is a feeling that I can’t put into words,” added Chief Petty Officer (SW/AW) Michael Williams, information systems technician. “I’m truly honored, and I want to serve in a manner truly befitting the title of Chief Petty Officer.”
During the ceremony, Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Lowell D. Crow talked about the significant role Chiefs play in running any Navy command.
“Chiefs are both technical experts and deck plate leaders,” said Crow. “They can get things done that no one else can. The two groups most responsible for running a ship are the department heads and the Chiefs’ Mess.”
Crow also talked about an entirely new set of responsibilities Chief must meet daily.
“With the honor and respect you get, you also have the burdens of leadership,” Crow explained. “You are the ones who are looked upon to make things happen. You have to constantly ask yourself, ‘have I honored those who have gone before me? And have I built the path for those who will follow me?’”
Wasp Command Master Chief Jim Jones also talked about how the step from petty officer first class to Chief is perhaps the biggest step they will make in their careers.
“You have been tried, tested, and selected to join an honored fraternity,” Jones told the new Chiefs. “The transition between first class and Chief is the most significant step between E-6 and E-7 in the whole military. It’s a huge leap in authority, but once you put on those anchors, they shine more brightly than most other collar devices.”
For some veteran Wasp Chiefs, welcoming new Chiefs into their Mess is always a joyful occasion.
“Every batch of Chief selects face new challenges, and this crew had to meet the same requirements during their indoctrination process that every other class meets while doing it in a shortened timeline,” said Chief Petty Officer (AW/SW) Jeff Ingraham, aviation electronics technician. “With the Navy’s manpower realignments, making Chief has been getting harder, so it’s a testament to their dedication that they made it.”
The new Chiefs all had family members who attended the ceremony, some whom said they were very proud of the new “khaki” in their family.
“He’s always worked very hard, and I’m glad to see that he has made it to Chief,” said Charles Holloman, who is married to Williams’ niece. “He is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, and he truly deserves it.”
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2010 11:52 |
| Story ID: | 57602 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Wasp Pins New Group of Chiefs, by PO2 Christopher Koons, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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