New U.S. Navy Chiefs Pinned in Bahrain

Photo By Ensign Bryan Blair | 190912-N-PV215-1174 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Sept. 12, 2019) Chief Cryptoplogic Technician (Technical) Eric Dejesus has anchors pinned on by his wife, left, and Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Hannah Ryder during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony held on board Naval Support Activity Bahrain. 39 Sailors from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, and commands located throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations received their anchors. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Neal Blair/Released)  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

09.12.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordan Crouch 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain – Sailors stood side by side in a crowded gym on Naval Support Activity Bahrain awaiting their anchors during pinning ceremony Sept. 12.

The pinning ceremony concluded six weeks of training that prepared Sailors for their new roles as chief petty officers.

The ceremony was the culmination of a training period known as Chief Petty Officer 365, which is designed to strengthen their leadership skills and provide a better understanding of what it means to be a U.S. Navy chief.

“We are counting on you to make it work, figure it out, and lead from the front with passion, dedication to your people, and a non-negotiable sense of ownership,” said Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander, U.S. 5th Fleet.

Friends and family joined these Sailors on stage to pin two coveted gold fouled anchors to their collar and place their covers on their head for the first time as tested and proven chiefs.

“I am happy, excited and very, very, very proud of him,” said Shannon Tilley, wife of Chief Yeoman Justin Tilley. “With the support of his Sailors and chiefs, he made it through.”

The warm climate and location of Bahrain present a variety of physical and geographical challenges for all Sailors, but teamwork and commitment to the process ensured the new chiefs stayed the course.

“I feel outstanding about today,” said Justin Tilley. “My advice to Sailors wanting to become a chief is to find a mentor to learn as much as you can and never give up on yourself or your Sailors.”

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2019
• Date Posted: 09.12.2019 09:31
• Story ID: 340011
• Location: MANAMA, BH