CNRC CMC raises a family of Sailors

TN, UNITED STATES

12.19.2018

Courtesy Story

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Commander, Navy Recruiting Command’s Command Master Chief Donald Charbonneau attended Recruit Training Command’s graduation ceremony Friday, November 30 as a part of the official party of Navy senior enlisted and senior officers reviewing the new recruits.
For Charbonneau however, this wasn’t simply a business trip. His youngest son Jordan Charbonneau was graduating boot camp as part of division 032, joining his dad and older brother as Sailors in the United States Navy.
“It’s a proud moment for a dad when your sons choose to follow in your footsteps,” said Charbonneau. “I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Charbonneau wasn’t the only Sailor in the family in Great Lakes to witness the event. His older son and Jordan’s older brother, Cryptologic Technician (Networks) 2nd Class Corey Charbonneau, was also there to welcome Jordan into the fleet.
“At Jordan’s graduation, my parents kept talking about how he’s a whole different person,” said Corey. “When Jordan decided to join the Navy, I was like, ‘Thank God’ because I felt like he was getting addicted to video games.”
Having a father that is a command master chief (CMC) gave Corey and Jordan a lot of insights into the benefits of Naval service.
“I tried going to college and didn’t enjoy it very much,” said Corey. “My dad is the CMC of Navy Recruiting Command, so he basically was my recruiter. He gives me lots of advice about what to do and what not to do, travel pay, and some of the other little stuff no one really tells you. And I get to understand what he does better, and have more to talk about with my dad.”
Charbonneau says that because his children grew up in a Navy household and on Naval installations their entire lives, it made their decision to join the Navy easier.
Corey’s earliest memories of his dad’s naval service are of him returning from deployment. To him and Jordan, Master Chief was just dad, however they couldn’t help but know what their dad did for a living.
“All these people would tell me how good of a man he was,” said Corey. “And everyone saying ‘thank you for your service.’ It seemed like he was doing something that people really cared about.”
There are a few downsides to having both of your sons serve in the Navy at the same time as you.
“The toughest part is that we are all a great distance apart,” said Master Chief Charbonneau. “I always make sure that I text or call every day or every other day. And I make sure that I go to their accomplishments. When Corey made second class (petty officer), I went out there to pin his crow on. Whether it’s graduating boot camp, making second class, or getting a warfare pin, I’m looking forward to continuing those proud moments that I’ll get to attend.”
Master Chief and Corey Charbonneau agree that having a CMC for a father doesn’t necessarily mean that he and Jordan are going to be career Sailors.
“I’m taking it one contract at a time,” said Corey. “I don’t say that you have to stay in, but I do tell them, ‘don’t plan on getting out with nothing done,’” said Master Chief Charbonneau. “Get your degree, get your certifications, have a plan. Otherwise, you might as well re-enlist and work on some of that stuff.”
Seaman Jordan Charbonneau is currently a new student at the Navy’s Hospital Corpsman “A” School in San Antonio, Texas.
The Navy’s recruiting force totals over 6,100 personnel in more than 1,300 recruiting stations around the globe. Their combined goal is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.
NRC consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, 20 Navy Recruiting Districts and six Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,300 recruiting stations across the country.
For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, go to http://www.cnrc.navy.mil. Follow Navy Recruiting on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NavyRecruiting), Twitter (@USNRecruiter) and Instagram (@USNRecruiter).

• Date Taken: 12.19.2018
• Date Posted: 12.20.2018 09:14
• Story ID: 304517
• Location: TN, US