Sailors, Soldier, Airman Earn Chief’s Anchor

BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES

09.13.2019

Story by Bernard Little 

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center hosted the Navy Capital Region FY-20 Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony Sept. 13 in Memorial Auditorium. Twenty-one Sailors, one Soldier and an Airman received their chief's anchors during the ceremony rich in tradition.
The U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officers Creed states, "In the United States Navy, and only in the United States Navy, the rank of E-7 carries with it unique responsibilities and privileges you are now bound to observe and expected to fulfill...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. 'Ask the Chief' is a household phrase in and out of the Navy. You are now the Chief."
Presiding Officer for the ceremony, Navy Capt. Gerard Woelkers, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bethesda, called chiefs "the backbone of the Navy." He encouraged the new chiefs to "lead from the deck plate and be ever so proud to call yourself 'a Navy chief.'"
The 18th Force Master Chief of the Seabees, FORCM Delbert Terrell served as the ceremony's guest speaker, stating, "The tone of the ship, the tone of the service itself, must come more directly from the chief petty officers than any other group or people in the Navy. You have the standard. Live up to it." He encouraged the new chiefs to be humble, honest, do the right thing, accomplish the mission, and take care of your people, both senior and junior.
“We’re a joint command,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Cardenas, who received his chief’s anchor during the pinning ceremony. “This is one of the ways I can connect with the Navy. It’s about the fact that I’ve been accepted into another family.”
Air Force Master Sgt. Monique Banaay shared similar sentiments. “I want to become a better leader, and this gave me a better perspective of what chiefs do. The anchor is very heavy for them. They are charged with not just doing their jobs, but also, taking care of their people. The Mess helps them through good times and bad times. They have this network of people they call their family, and that’s something I was drawn to, and I’m a part of that now.”
The other new CPOs pinned during the ceremony included:
HMC Abdulkarim Albajal
HMC Euriviades Beltre
HMC Derek Brenstuhl
HMC Andre Delaine
MCC John Fischer
HMC Jonathan Gearhart
HMC Liria Gonzales
HMC Jennifer Hulsey
HMC Emmanuel Ilfraim
HMC Jose Jimenez
CTRC Matthew Miller
HMC Xavier PerezMendez
HMC Donnell Proctor
HMC Gavendra Rampertaap
ISC David Rollins
HMC Roland Samortin
ETC David Scudero
HMC Joseph Sinclair
HMC Dallas Skinner
HMC Andrew Van Buskirt
HMC Evan Zilliox

• Date Taken: 09.13.2019
• Date Posted: 09.19.2019 14:37
• Story ID: 342450
• Location: BETHESDA, MD, US