Donning the Cover

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Crawford | NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, Wash. (OCT. 21, 2022)—U.S. Navy Capt. Eric Anduze, commanding officer of the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), receives a gift from the ship’s Chiefs Mess during the command’s chief petty officer pinning ceremony at the Naval Base Kitsap auditorium. Theodore Roosevelt is in a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship will receive scheduled maintenance and upgrades. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher J. Crawford)  

BREMERTON, WA, UNITED STATES

10.21.2022

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Hafer 

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)     

BREMERTON, Wash. – U.S. Navy chief petty officer selectees assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, were pinned as chief petty officers in the auditorium on Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton Oct. 21.

For six weeks, 31 Sailors worked side-by-side with hundreds of chief petty officers to learn what it takes to wear the gold fouled anchors of the U.S. Navy Chief.

“The selected Sailors have demonstrated their potential to operate and perform at a higher level, at a level which is chief,” said Master Chief Oneil Lewis, Theodore Roosevelt Command Master Chief.

The training regiment was designed to strengthen leadership skills as well as their bond among themselves and the Chiefs Mess.

“It was definitely testing,” said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Lionel Sayasane. “The season was challenging, mentally, physically, emotionally. Never giving up was the biggest key to success.”

Since the first chiefs were pinned in 1893, chief season has evolved in both scope and purpose.

“The purpose of the chief season is to remember where we came from,” said Master Chief Aviation Ordnancemen Mark Kellogg. “When you first join the Navy, you go to boot camp. You get humbled. You realize that it’s not about you anymore. It’s more about what we can do as a team.”

After the conclusion of the ceremony, the Navy’s newest chiefs made their way out of the auditorium, donning the combination cover earned by Navy leadership, ranks E-7 and above.

Theodore Roosevelt is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.

For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn71/. Join the conversation with TR online at www.facebook.com/USSTheodoreRoosevelt and at www.Twitter.com/TheRealCVN71.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2022
• Date Posted: 10.21.2022 20:48
• Story ID: 431843
• Location: BREMERTON, WA, US