Photo By Chief Petty Officer Paolo Peredo | 150916-N-TE278-022 WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2015) -- Forty-one chief petty...... read more read more
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USS RONALD REAGAN, Western Pacific Ocean - Forty-one chief petty officers were pinned and covered aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay Sept. 16.
The ceremony included remarks from Commander, Task Force 70 Command Master Chief Jason Eckard and the reading of the Chief Petty Officer’s (CPO) Creed from Ronald Reagan Command Master Chief Jason Haka.
“This ceremony today in not only the culmination of years of your hard work and proven ability to lead and get things done, but it is also the perfect time to stop and acknowledge the significant contributions of the Sailors who have worked for you and with you,” said Eckard. “As chief petty officer, know that you set the moral and ethical compass of your team. When it comes to integrity, honor and character building, the Sailors under your charge will watch and emulate your attitude and your actions. Set the example by being the example.”
Since 1893, when the rank of CPO was established, the men and women who wear their new anchors do so in a new position of leadership and responsibility. The ceremony held aboard Ronald Reagan was a culmination of six weeks of training that began when results were released Aug. 5, with the announcement of those first class petty officers who were selected for advancement by the Navy's chief petty officer selection board.
“Today is indescribable,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Adalberto Nava. “Your sense of accomplishment doesn’t really hit you until this day when you see your peers standing and waiting for you to get your anchors. Pride. Navy Chief, Navy pride.”
Advancement to CPO is a significant accomplishment for any enlisted Sailor, but for one of the newly pinned chiefs this ceremony was of unique significance.
“I thank my family who has supported me since day one,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Cirilo Velez. “A huge milestone has been achieved not only for me but also for my brother. It’s the best feeling ever and can’t wait to pull in and meet with him in our new uniforms.”
According to Velez, who joined the Navy in 2003 following in the footsteps of his younger brother, Chief Machinist’s Mate Moises Velez, who is currently serving aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), getting pinned to chief is a dream come true.
“I always looked forward for this day to happen, for the both of us to make chief together,” said Velez. “I never thought we would, and here we are today making naval history together. Now, hopefully we can get stationed together.”
For many junior Sailors in attendance, the pinning ceremony served as inspiration to guide their career.
“This definitely made me motivated,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Ashley Vasquez, from Lancaster, California. “They all worked hard to get the where they are, especially the corpsman chiefs. I am happy I was able to come out and show my support for them as they have done for me.”
Ronald Reagan and its embarked carrier air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.
| Date Taken: | 09.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2015 17:10 |
| Story ID: | 176411 |
| Location: | USS RONALD REAGAN, PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Hometown: | LANCASTER, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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