Photo By Chief Petty Officer Jose Jaen | 170915-N-VD165-312 SAN DIEGO (Sept. 15, 2017) Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Joshua Casey,...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO – Eleven Sailors from amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) earned the title of “chief” and received their anchors during a chief petty officer (CPO) pinning ceremony held at Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet headquarters in San Diego, September 15.
Chief Machinist’s Mate Gil Almonte, Chief Information Systems Technician Ingrid Boudreau, Chief Aviation Support Equipment Technician Jun Cai, Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Joshua Casey, Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Michael Guidinger, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jorge Miguel, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Tony Ntri, Chief Culinary Specialist Brian Palmer, Chief Operations Specialist Tiffany Palmer, Chief Electronics Technician Nicholas Pierce, and Chief Machinist’s Mate Healley Xavier became Boxer’s newest chief petty officers.
The ceremony was the culmination of a six-week training period known as CPO 365 Phase II, which began immediately after the chief advancement results were officially released, Aug. 4. During Phase II, senior enlisted leaders introduced the future chiefs to challenges designed to strengthen their leadership skills, and provide a better understanding of what it means to be a Navy chief. Phase II also included training on the history and traditions of the CPO Mess, including physical challenges, mentorship and additional responsibilities of being a chief petty officer.
Capt. Benjamin J. Allbritton, Boxer’s commanding officer, addressed the increased expectations the new chiefs will face with their freshly pinned anchors.
“I guarantee you, on Monday, when they show up to work with anchors on their collars, I’m going to put them to work,” said Allbritton. “I’m going to expect a lot out of them. The Navy is going to expect a lot out of them. But most of all, their Sailors are going to expect a lot out of them.”
During the ceremony, Command Master Chief Greg Renick, assigned to Pacific Fleet CPO Training Team, spoke about both the rewarding accomplishment of achieving this career milestone, and the persistence and dedication required of a Chief Petty Officer to meet every challenge that lies ahead.
“You are now embarking on the most challenging but rewarding phase of your career,” said Renick. “We need your leadership and your experience. The torch has been passed, it is your time. You are going to be challenged far greater than what you’ve been put through the last six weeks, I promise. But, you are ready.”
Boxer’s Command Master Chief Francisco J. Valdovinos spoke of the importance of the responsibilities, authority, and trust the new chiefs have been given to help Boxer accomplish its mission.
“Today marks the start of a new chapter in your career,” said Valdovinos. “Joining the Mess brings a new level of responsibility with it; responsibility to Boxer, your Sailors and yourselves. You are trusted to lead with the same character and integrity that brought you here.”
Pierce reflected on how his previous experiences throughout the fleet have prepared him for his new role as a chief.
“I’ve been shot at, in fire fights with the enemy, conducted rigorous field and underway training, been yelled at, had my fair share of bad days, lost shipmates to war and accidents, and, even worse, seen friends take their own lives,” said Pierce. “My experiences have taught me that Sailors are our greatest resource and family is our life-line.”
After being pinned with their anchors by friends, family members, or mentors, each chief received a combination cover from their Phase II sponsoring chief, symbolizing a new position of leadership and responsibility. After donning their new cover, each chief was welcomed into Boxer’s Chief Mess as the ship’s bell was rang and they passed sideboys comprised of fellow chiefs.
The ceremony concluded with a time-honored tradition of new chief petty officers leading Boxer’s chief mess in a loud and proud performance of Anchors Aweigh.
Boxer is in its homeport undergoing a phased-maintenance availability.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2017 23:22 |
| Story ID: | 248513 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 824 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS Boxer Holds Chief Pinning Ceremony, by SCPO Justin Webb, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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