Ten Northern California Chiefs Pinned

Photo By Chief Petty Officer John Pearl | 180916-N-YS140-061 Chief Yeoman Jeffrey Mills receive his chief's anchors from his daughters during a Sept. 16 chief petty officer (CPO) pinning ceremony outside the California State Capitol Building. The new chiefs come from Navy Operational Support Centers (NOSC) Sacramento, Alameda, San Jose, and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 Detachment Travis AFB (VQ-3). The Sacramento, Alameda, and San Jose NOSCs generate mobilization readiness by providing administrative services, training support, and customer service to Navy Reserve personnel in support of surge and operational requirements for the Navy and Marine Corps team and Joint Forces. VQ-3 is a forward operating base providing complete maintenance, security, and administrative support to E-6B alert aircraft and deployed TACAMO crews under USSTRATCOM operational control. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Pearl/Released)  

SACRAMENTO, CA, UNITED STATES

09.16.2018

Story by Chief Petty Officer John Pearl 

Navy Reserve - Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Command Senior Enlisted Leaders from Navy Operational Support Centers (NOSC) Sacramento, Alameda, San Jose, and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 Detachment Travis AFB (VQ-3) granted permission to 10 newly-pinned chief petty officers' (CPO) requests to enter the chief’s mess on Sept. 16 in a ceremony outside the California State Capitol Building.

The ceremony was the culmination of both the selection for advancement to CPO followed by a nearly 10-week program emphasizing professional training, team-building, physical training, and mission-first leadership.

According to newly-pinned Chief Yeoman Jeffery Mills of SurgeMain Sacramento, both focused hustle and mental dexterity were necessary to complete training.

“Be like Gumby,” said Mills. “Remaining flexible makes it easier to adapt to all the lessons being thrown your way.”

On the steps of the capitol building, retired Chief Personnel Specialist Ken Salas, the ceremony's guest speaker, impressed upon the newly-pinned chiefs the uniqueness of the responsibility bestowed upon them and reflected upon the pride and honor in which he continues to wear his fouled anchors.

After being piped through sideboys, the visibly emotional Chief Corpsman Kevin Sutherland reflected upon admittance into the chief’s mess.

“It was the greatest feeling of accomplishment in my life,” said Mills.

The Sacramento, Alameda, and San Jose NOSCs generate mobilization readiness by providing administrative services, training support, and customer service to Navy Reserve personnel in support of surge and operational requirements for the Navy and Marine Corps team and Joint Forces. VQ-3 is a forward operating base providing complete maintenance, security, and administrative support to E-6B alert aircraft and deployed TACAMO crews under USSTRATCOM operational control.

• Date Taken: 09.16.2018
• Date Posted: 09.18.2018 14:39
• Story ID: 293203
• Location: SACRAMENTO, CA, US