Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Wideman | 220810-CE729-N-1001 Graphic created utilizing Adobe Photoshop and used as a headline...... read more read more
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The crowd of Sailors and loving family members begin to wander into the refreshingly cool and dim auditorium. They fill the center section of seating. To their left sits 75 Wasp sailors anxiously awaiting their names to be called in acknowledgment of their hard work, dedication and effort. As the final members of the audience take their seats, the volume of the room turns from scattered whispers to a rumble of laughter and conversations.
Suddenly, a distinct voice calls out, slicing its way across the auditorium, “stand by!” The room goes silent and every Sailor pops to attention. The sea of Sailors in their green Navy Working Uniforms proudly await the entrance of their Commanding Officer Captain Nakia Cooper. He enters confidently walking towards the empty stage allowing the Sailors to take their seats.
Within that crowd, Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Briana Lee awaits for her name to be called. She and the other 74 Sailors are reminded by their captain of what it means to be a petty officer in the United States Navy.
Petty officers have played an important role within the Navy since its conception. Initially, petty officers were members of the crew appointed by the ship’s captain and they provided leadership amongst the enlisted members. Unlike commissioned officers, petty officers did not have a formal rank structure, uniforms or insignia and only held the position while serving with that specific captain. In 1841, petty officers began wearing a sleeve device which evolved into the present day rating badge.
In 1885, the Navy recognized three classes of petty officers, first, second and third. The following year they were allowed to wear rank insignia consisting of downward facing chevrons below a perched eagle with a rating mark, colloquially referred to as the crow. Promotion to this pay grade is more than just a new accessory to wear on your uniform and a boost in your paycheck, it’s representation as a leader and mentor to juniors Sailors.
For Lee, being a leader is not new territory. As the current president of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD), she has made it her personal mission to motivate those around her to be the best that they can be. “I want everybody to win, I want everybody to succeed and I don’t want anyone to be left behind,” said Lee.
She has maintained this mentality throughout her career and has become a mentor to those within her division. When new culinary specialists joined the ship, she expressed the value in being curious and asking questions about everything. She encourages them to continue and always strive to find out how to get more qualifications and see what it takes to be recognized for hard work.
For young Sailors, guidance can be crucial in their development. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Addison Bradford described it as “understanding a Sailors goals and figuring out how that fits within the scope of the mission of the current organization you are in.”
Bradford, who has been a petty officer since 2009, says that a good leader should never give up on their Sailor. “You either have a Sailor with a problem, or a problem Sailor,” said Bradford. "Nine times out of ten you have a Sailor with a problem.”
While serving as a Petty Officer 2nd Class, Bradford was dealt a Sailor whom continued to have problems. After numerous counselings, he realized that repercussions were not working. He sat down with the Sailor and together they put together a plan. Their goal, to put together a package for Blue Jacket of the Quarter. The challenge, they only had 90 days to make it happen. Ultimately, the Sailor won Blue Jacket of the Quarter, and Bradford says that there was an immediate change in that Sailor.
Being a petty officer is not always about motivating, taking corrective action and counselings. It’s also about being there for the Sailors junior to you. While in the Navy, many of us will find ourselves far from friends, family and those we look up to for guidance and support. Retail Service Specialist Petty Officer 2nd Class Domonique Gordan prioritized the safety of two of her Sailors whom were in two separate car accidents and both suffered injuries that required surgery.
“Being one of their leaders, I took it upon myself to step up,” said Gordon. “I took both of them to their surgeries, stayed with them the entire time, and helped them through their recovery process.”
These attributes are just a small fraction of the leadership displayed around the deckplates of USS Wasp and throughout commands across the Navy. As stated in The Navy Petty Officer’s Creed: “I have the distinct privilege of being a leader of the finest Sailors anywhere. As such, I owe my Sailors leadership that they can depend on, trust and follow."
On that day, the 75 sailors walked across that stage one by one. They met Cooper front and center to shake his hand and receive their letters of appointment. Some, like Lee, are putting on the crow for the first time, while others added chevrons beneath. Collectively, they take a giant leap in their careers stepping into a proud and strong legacy of leadership and will forever be able to say, "I served as a petty officer in the worlds finest Navy."
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2022 22:43 |
| Story ID: | 427823 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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