Courtesy Photo | Retired Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Scott Pikesley, Senior Chief Aviation...... read more read more
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ST. LOUIS - “I am a chief petty officer in the United States Navy. I serve my country and her people with pride and honor. I seek no special favors. I make things happen.” These stoic words begin the U.S. Navy’s “Chief Petty Officer’s Pledge.”
Hoping to honor the rank’s historical significance and celebrate sailors who have donned its insignia, Defense Contract Management Agency Boeing St. Louis recently held an event highlighting chiefs past and present. Ten current and former sailors were recognized for having been awarded the gold fouled anchor and bestowed the title of chief petty officer.
The honorees all stem from four defense activities co-located here at Boeing Defense, Space and Security — the nation’s largest fighter aircraft production facility: DCMA Boeing St. Louis; DCMA Special Projects Office; Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane - Airborne Electronic Attack Division detachment; and F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office detachment.
Navy Capt. Matthew McLaurin, the agency’s Boeing St. Louis commander, began the ceremony expressing his sincere gratitude for the example set by all chiefs as an inspiration to anyone who has ever served in the Navy.
“The chiefs have always led me down the correct path,” said McLaurin, recalling his experiences as a junior officer. “They have always ensured the success of every person in our Navy. I encourage everyone to show respect, admiration and appreciation for those who have served our Navy as chief petty officers.”
McLaurin then presented certificates of appreciation highlighting each sailor’s pinning date and unit assignment at the time of promotion:
—Senior Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Christopher McGennis, September 2006, Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine
—Senior Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate Andrew Costin, September 2009, Electronic Attack Squadron 135 deployed on USS Nimitz
—Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Don Johnson, September 2010, Electronic Attack Squadron 130 deployed on USS Harry S. Truman
—Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Chad Cochuyt, September 2011, USS Carl Vinson
—retired Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Jesse Overby, September 1997, Naval Air Reserve Jacksonville, Florida
—retired Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Scott Pikesley, September 2000, Strike Fighter Squadron 122
—retired Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Douglas Caldwell, September 2000, Commander Naval Forces Marianas, Guam
—retired Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate John Stepp, September 2000, Patrol Squadron 8
—retired Senior Chief Aircraft Structural Mechanic Doug Waller, September 2003, Strike Fighter Squadron 146
—retired Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Harold Beaver, September 2005, Electronic Attack Squadron 138
Waller, Beaver, Stepp, Caldwell and Pikesley transitioned from their military careers to civil service with the agency here. Each provides critical on-site contract management and fighter aircraft acceptance and delivery support contributing directly to DCMA Boeing St. Louis mission success, said McLaurin.
For example, Pikesley, a quality assurance specialist, leverages his senior enlisted leadership skills and aviation background while liaising with the Royal Australian Air Force on behalf of a $1.5 billion EA-18G Growler production program.
“Our active duty and retired chiefs provide professional insight whether on the flight line or on the production floor, which ultimately strengthens a critical link in the Department of Defense’s acquisition process,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Longley Thomason, the agency’s Boeing St. Louis chief of flight operations. “Their inherent understanding and excellence in executing the agency’s mission is absolutely paramount for the support of the warfighter.”
The event concluded with the cutting of the anniversary cake inscribed with a quote by Gen. George Washington, “The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.”
“Today’s event celebrated everything it means to be a chief,” said Beaver. “It also gave us pause to remember where we came from. I view it as my privilege to continue my service as a DoD civilian on behalf of all our military members forward deployed and in harm’s way.”
This year marks the 122nd anniversary establishing the chief petty officer rating. According to Costin, a government ground representative with the agency, the official documentation designating various enlisted rates and ranks structures with distinct title of “chief” was initially outlined in a regulation circular dated January 8, 1885, but it was not official until both a presidential executive order and the Navy Regulation Circular No. 1 were made effective on April 1, 1893.
The chief’s pledge concludes: “They look up to me because I treat them with dignity and respect. Because they need a leader, I am there for them. After all, I am a chief petty officer in the United States Navy.”
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2015 09:08 |
| Story ID: | 166060 |
| Location: | ST. LOUIS, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 259 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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