PORT HUENEME, Calif. (September 16, 2026) – Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 hosted the Fiscal Year 2027 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Pinning Ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Port Hueneme, Calif., Sept. 16, 2026.
The ceremony marked the culmination of a demanding six-week training period, during which the selectees underwent rigorous leadership challenges and team-building exercises to prepare them for their new roles in the Chiefs Mess. The event celebrated the promotion of Sailors who will now wear the coveted anchor collar devices.
Capt. Andrew Litteral, commodore, NCG-1, hosted the event. The guest speaker, retired Command Master Chief Corey Stevens, addressed the new Chiefs and their families.
CMDCM Stevens said, “Remember this: the Chiefs Mess is perfect, the chiefs are not. Also keep in mind that Chiefs are troops too and we are not invincible.” Stevens concluded his speech with, “Chiefs anchor up, knuckle down, and always remember since 1893, Navy Chief, Navy Pride!”
Capt. Litteral then took the podium to deliver remarks to the selectees and their families.
“As Chiefs in the Seabees, you are the keepers of the ‘Can Do’ spirit,” said Capt. Litteral, “From this day forward, you are no longer evaluated by what you can build or fix with your own hands, you are evaluated by the readiness, the safety, the proficiency, and the courage of the Sailors you lead.”
Capt. Litteral finished his speech with an encouraging message to the soon-to-be pinned Chiefs, “Stand tall today, ready to build, ready to fight, and ready to lead, welcome to the Chiefs Mess.”
The following NCG-1 personnel were pinned to Chief Petty Officer: U.S. Navy Chief Yeoman Ashley Mcmillan U.S. Navy Chief Equipment Operator Christian Rivera U.S. Navy Chief Engineering Aide Devin Watts U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Tyler Brooks U.S. Navy Chief Yeoman Jacqueline Evans U.S. Navy Chief Gunner’s Mate Angela Haley U.S. Navy Chief Construction Electrician Mike Johnson U.S. Navy Chief Steelworker Lizeth Cruzjuarez U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Barrett U.S. Navy Chief Builder Aaron Brown U.S. Navy Chief Equipment Operator Thomas Dahlke U.S. Navy Chief Construction Mechanic Robert Norton U.S. Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Bobby Whited U.S. Navy Chief Construction Mechanic Jan Lumboy U.S. Navy Chief Construction Electrician Claudia Mendez U.S. Navy Chief Construction Electrician German Valdez U.S. Navy Chief Builder Ryan Hlavac U.S. Navy Chief Construction Mechanic Keith Roman U.S. Navy Chief Builder Colt Hawkins U.S. Navy Chief Construction Electrician Travis Mitchell U.S. Navy Chief Personnel Specialist Kellee Smith U.S. Navy Chief Builder Eric Erkan U.S. Navy Chief Builder Dan Kvaley U.S. Navy Chief Builder Megan Pringle U.S. Navy Chief Construction Electrician Derek Drummond
The ceremony concluded with the reading of the CPO Creed, a time-honored tradition that reaffirms the commitment and responsibilities of a Chief Petty Officer. Friends, family and mentors pinned the new anchors on each Chief, underscoring the vital role of a strong support system in a Sailor's career.
NCG-1 leads and manages all Naval Construction Force units in the Pacific Fleet, providing adaptive expeditionary construction and engineering capabilities to support fleet and joint force commanders.