Photo By Lance Cpl. Jared Saul | A U.S. Navy Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman, assigned to Marine Forces...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE, N.C. – Marine Forces Special Operations Command welcomed eight Sailors to the Chief Petty Officer Mess during a pinning ceremony held at MARFORSOC Headquarters on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., September 16, 2025.
The ceremony marked the culmination of a rigorous six-week CPO Initiation Season, designed to forge combat-ready leaders capable of operating in a demanding, joint environment.
Throughout the season, prospective CPOs, to include six Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman, one Navy Diver and one Religious Program Specialist, underwent intensive mentorship and challenging evolutions focused on leadership development, Naval heritage, and team cohesion – all while maintaining close integration with Marines and Sailors from across eastern North Carolina.
This process prepares these Sailors to lead with both technical expertise and a deep understanding of the Navy and Marine Corps’ warfighting ethos as they transition from the rank of E-6 to E-7.
"These Sailors have earned their place amongst the finest leaders in the Navy,” said Master Chief Petty Officer John Leasiolagi, MARFORSOC Command Master Chief Petty Officer. “Iron sharpens Iron, but a byproduct of that process is heat and friction. These Sailors overcome adversity, endured some heat and friction, and I’m confident they arrived at the other end of the process more equipped to lead Sailors and Marines in combat.”
The ceremony included the traditional pinning of the CPO rank insignia, a gold fouled anchor with "USN" in silver, and donning of the combination cover, signifying their transition to the Chief’s Mess and the responsibilities inherent with the rank. It is a distinction that only a select few achieve during their military careers.
“The anchor isn’t a symbol of arrival; it’s a weight of responsibility,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Luke Keene, Marine Raider Training Center Command Master Chief Petty Officer. “These Sailors have earned the right to lead, and they understand the mission doesn’t wait. It demands combat-readiness, now. They’re stepping into the Mess prepared to drive that readiness forward.”
The tradition began when President Benjamin Harrison signed an executive order on February 25, 1893, which authorized the establishment of the chief petty officer rank in the Navy.
A hundred and thirty-two years later, these new Chiefs are stepping into a world of accelerating competition, persistent crisis, and the evolving character of war. Their leadership will be critical as MARFORSOC continues to prepare for and respond to the challenges of the 21st-century battlespace – a battlespace demanding adaptability, resilience, and unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment.
By instilling a warfighting mindset, prioritizing Sailor readiness, and maintaining technical competency, we ensure the next generation of Chiefs uphold the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy’s mission, vision, guiding principles and the standards of the CPO Creed.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2025 16:33 |
| Story ID: | 548782 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 297 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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