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USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) held a chief pinning ceremony in the hangar bay, Oct. 21 to ceremoniously advance 32 of the fiscal year 2023 chief petty officers.
The event marked the culmination of a rigorous six-week training period which began Sept. 6, the day the petty officer first classes found out they were selected for promotion. The yearly tradition is meant to test them and help prepare them for the challenges that senior enlisted leaders in the Navy may face.
“The process that chief selects go through is full of history, training, teamwork and humility,” said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Larry Pugh, one of the two leaders for chief season. “They are tested beyond perceived limits — we do this to let them know that the weight of an anchor is heavy, and to never be taken lightly.”
Chief Cryptologic Technician Michael Vivian’s wife Danielle Vivian, and his parents Dan and Vicki Vivian, pinned on his new collar devices. The gold fouled anchor which was introduced in 1905, represents stability, security, flexibility and strength.
“It felt amazing to have my family pin me, and my kids helped me put my cover on for the first time,” said Vivian. “seeing how proud they were made all of the work I completed during chief season worth it.”
Since the U.S. Navy’s establishment of chief petty officers in 1893, the chief has been a position of elevated experience and responsibility. The phrase “ask the chief,” which is applicable not only to their junior Sailors but also to their superiors, is commonplace in and out of the Navy.
“Chief petty officers have been around for 129 years, they are counted on as senior enlisted leaders to be technical experts in their field,” said Lincoln’s Command Master Chief Joel 'Rod' Rodriguez. “Chiefs teach Sailors what they’re supposed to do on a daily basis and show them by being on the deckplates every day, doing what their supposed to do.”
To be selected for the paygrade of E7, a Sailor must have 36 months of time in grade as a petty officer first class, take and pass a Navy wide advancement exam, and they may opt to create a package to include key highlights from their Navy career, previous evaluations, awards, schooling and accomplishments. Once a package is sent, a selection board of master chief petty officers and senior chief petty officers meet in Millington, Tenn. to review every package and to select the new chiefs.
“Finding out I had been selected raised so many questions because I originally had orders to leave the ship in December but they were for a first class,” said Vivian. “I wondered what’s going to happen with my career, wife and kids, it was a lot to process all at once.”
Once selected for advancement, petty officer first classes begin their six-week initiation which they must complete to be accepted into the Chiefs Mess. The initiation consists of training and mentorship by genuine chiefs, those who have previously been tried, tested and accepted by the Chiefs Mess. This will prepare them to face future responsibilities and obstacles with dignity and grace.
“Previously I stayed in my own workspace and did things on my own, after going through chief season, I knew that wasn’t an option anymore,” said Vivian. “The only way I can help the Sailors I work with succeed is through networking and it is the most valuable thing I’ve learned so far — it is how I’ve accomplished everything that I’ve done throughout season.”
Chief petty officer selectees participate in several challenges during initiation, they tend to be on-the-fly tasks that must be completed in an allotted amount of time. Everything throughout initiation is designed to test the future chiefs, push limits, help them learn their limitations and teach them how they can improve.
“It’s no longer a task or a test that I’m getting from a chief — from here on out everything I do is going to be seen as how a chief handles situations,” said Vivian. “It’s nerve racking, but since we have a strong Chiefs Mess I don’t need to be afraid, someone will always have the answers and is willing to help.”
Joining the exclusive fellowship of the Chiefs Mess has changed the way of life for all 32 new chiefs. From the ceremony forward, Lincoln’s new chief petty officers wear “the hat” and gold fouled anchor with pride.
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2022 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 434911 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ask the Chief, by PO3 Karli Wilkerson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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