Navy Chiefs pin on anchors

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Joey Thompson | Chief Petty Officer Kim Farral sings "Anchors Aweigh" at the conclusion of the Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony Sept. 16.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

09.16.2011

Story by 1st Sgt. Joey Thompson 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Navy Chief Petty Officer Selectees around the globe participated in Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremonies Sept. 16, and 27 of those new Chiefs received their fouled anchors not while at sea, but supporting Operation Enduring Freedom at Bagram Air Field.

The Navy promotes all of its selected Petty Officers, sailors in the grade of E-6, to Chief Petty Officers, sailors in the grade of E-7, on a single day.

“In our culture, when a sailor is selected by a board of Master Chiefs, the Navy grants privileges, responsibilities and authority not seen in our fellow services until the grade of E-9,” said Command Master Chief David Anderson, Command Master Chief, Navy Central Command Forward – Afghanistan, to the Chief Petty Officer selectees.

“That while those of us who risen to Senior Chief, Master Chief, Command Master Chief and even the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, we are proud of those accomplishments, but we all remember the day that we were pinned our Chief Petty Officer anchors, given the cover, and addressed Chief Petty Officer,” Anderson added.

According to Anderson, 4,290 Chief Petty Officers were selected for promotion, and for one selectee, it marked a personal goal and transition point in his life.

“Being a Chief means stepping out in front, deckplate leadership, and teaching all the sailors how to be the sailors they need to be,” said Chief Petty Officer George Jeffords, 435th Legal Department, who hails from Sumter, S.C. “Pretty much you’re instilling all of the naval traditions, leading from the front and training the junior officers.”

Selected Chief Petty Officers receive their Chiefs’ anchors and hat, then pass through a line of sideboys as they are introduced into the Chiefs’ Mess by boatswain’s call and ringing of the bell.

“Pretty much, the officers run the Navy, but the Chiefs make the Navy run,” said Jeffords explaining how the Chiefs’ Mess works. “Nothing happens on the boat without the Chiefs’ Mess knowing first. We are the ones that actually get to the nitty-gritty and get to the details on how things are going to happen.”

Although there may be some discussion, even disagreement in the Chiefs’ Mess, “once you come to a united front, a united plan, then you come out and give it out to everybody,” said Jeffords.

Anderson echoed Jeffords sentiment of being a deckplate leader.

“You must remember that none of you got here alone...someone led, someone walked beside you, and someone followed you. You now have covenant with those sailors,” said Anderson.

Once all 27 Chief Petty Officers were promoted, the ceremony ended with all of the sailors in attendance singing “Anchors Aweigh."

“This is one of the best days of my life, Navy Chief, Navy Pride!” said Jeffords.

• Date Taken: 09.16.2011
• Date Posted: 09.17.2011 09:55
• Story ID: 77182
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF