Photo By Capt. Aaron Moshier | U.S. Navy Commander Raul Rios, Jr., commanding officer of the Navy Operational Support...... read more read more
Six Navy reservists from central Texas received their anchors in a formal Chief Petty Officer promotion ceremony in front of family, friends and shipmates recently at the Navy Reserve center located at Camp Mabry in Austin.
Earning the title of “Chief” is arguably the most pivotal point in the Navy’s enlisted career path. It is a culmination of steadfast devotion and self-discipline learning, leading with character, and honing professional expertise. On average it will take 15 years to reach the rank of Chief Petty Officer. These new Chiefs have years of experience and wisdom. These are men and women who excel at the profession of being a Sailor. They earned the title. The six new Chief Petty Officers promoted in this ceremony were: Robert Cull, Gregory Neuman, Charles Youngblood, Sybil Hay, Glendon Richards and Chad Simmons.
“Congratulations on this monumental milestone”, stated Commander Raul Rios, Jr. “Your charge of duty comes with great responsibility and dedication.” Rios is the commanding officer of the Navy Operational Support Center Austin and officiated the ceremony that brought together reservists and families from three central Texas reserve centers: Austin, San Antonio and Waco.
According to dictionary.com, the definition of a “chief” is a leader or ruler of a people or clan. Truly the chief is a leader of Sailors and they take charge of our organization. They set the example and instill good order and discipline.
An excerpt of the Chief Petty Officer’s Creed states, “It is now required that you be the fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority in personal relations as well as in technical applications.”
They are not only experts at their job related duties, but also professionals at managing affairs up and down the chain of command. Chief Glendon Richards, a newly appointed Chief from Austin stated, “Chiefs are the glue between officer and enlisted ranks.”
It has often been said that the officers run the Navy, but it is the chiefs that make the Navy run. The chief is key to mission accomplishment and a master of solving problems. “The chief makes sure everything is running smoothly, stated Richards. “It is our job to ensure that the orders passed down from the officers get done.”
Nearly every junior Sailor has received a form of guidance and counseling from a chief. If you want to find an answer or you want the honest truth you "Ask the Chief". Their counsel is respected and revered by all ranks up and down the chain of command. The chief is not afraid to stand up for what is right or challenge something that is wrong. “A good chief will look out for you, but they are not afraid to let you know that you messed up, stated Richards.
Pinning on the new chief’s rank has symbolism and significance. Their new rank insignia is a gold anchor laced with a length of chain and the letters U.S.N. When asked what the anchor represents, newly appointed Chief Sybil Hay stated, “The anchor is the weight that holds the ship steady. Even in the midst of chaos we can still dig deep and provide stability.”
A great chief does not earn the anchors once, but earns them every day. It is the chief’s job to train and develop subordinates into leaders. “When you put on the anchor it is not about you anymore – it is about your Sailors”, stated Hay. Although the title “chief” is a turning point in an enlisted persons career, it is not a destination. Chiefs are on a journey to learn, lead and develop Sailors.
Hay stated she has had great chiefs in her 12 year Navy career. “My chiefs were always there to take time out to help and teach. They put me in positions outside of my comfort zone to lead and in areas to strengthen my weaknesses. They led by example in every part of their lives.” She went on to say that she feels she has “more weight” [command influence] to support her unit Sailors now.
The ceremony was steeped in tradition and spirit. The large assembly of Sailors recited “The Sailor’s Creed” and sang the official song of the U.S. Navy “Anchors Away”. The Chief Petty Officers later marched around the large military formation and family members chanting “Navy chief! Navy pride!” in unison as they moved to their positions center stage. The ceremony included the reading of the Chief Petty Officer’s pledge and creed. Each selectee was then pinned by family members, friends or esteemed colleagues, while their sponsoring chief and mentor covered them with their traditional chief petty officer combination cover with new gold anchor insignia.
One special guest in attendance was Chief Aaron W. Cook, Pearl Harbor survivor and 94 year-old grandfather-in-law who served as one of the sponsors of newly pinned Chief Gregory W. Neuman. “Every chief is pinned by a sponsor. Someone who represents leadership and experience. It was a great honor to have him pin me. He is part of our heritage and in the war that made the Navy what it is today.”
Neuman stated that his anchors used for the ceremony were not new, but seasoned anchors given to him by two different sponsors in the mine man community. “It is symbolism of passing on wisdom and knowledge,” stated Neuman. “Coming from people that want you to have it means a lot more. It is like they are saying, ‘You are one of us now’.”
| Date Taken: | 09.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2016 15:15 |
| Story ID: | 212193 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Hometown: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Hometown: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | WACO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 1,297 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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