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YOKOSUKA, Japan - Western superstition considers Friday the 13th, as a very unlucky day and the number 13 as an ill-fated number.
Not so for Chief Yeoman Benjamin Satrasook, assigned to the Administrative Department of Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, who was frocked to chief petty officer during a ceremony at the Benny Decker Theater, Sept 13.
“I’ve been in the Navy 13 years today,” Satrasook said. “It was my third time going up for chief. Putting on these anchors feels really good.”
Twenty-six other Sailors were frocked with Satrasook, including Chief Religious Program Specialist Cecil Collins, assigned to the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15.
“I’ve been in the Navy 15 years, and I made chief on my third try,” said Collins. “I’m so happy and proud to put these anchors on because it’s something that I’ve been dreaming about for such a long time.”
For Statrasook, Collins and the 25 other chief-selects, the journey from first class petty officer to chief began approximately six weeks ago with the release of Naval Administrative Message 193/13, the results of the Navy’s E-7 Selection board for fiscal year 2014. The names on this list are known as ‘chief selectees’.
After approximately six weeks of specialized training conducted by chiefs, senior chiefs, and master chiefs, the chief selectees were frocked during the pinning ceremony.
Master Chief Paul Kingsbury, U.S. Naval Forces Japan and Navy Region Japan command master chief for commander, was the guest speaker during the ceremony. and he urged the newly frocked chiefs to work with the officers in their command.
“I challenge you to be the catalyst that facilitates ongoing dialogue between your wardroom and your mess,” said Kingsbury. “On occasion, it will be strained, but the relationship between the wardroom and the chief’s mess is strong, your command and your Sailors will benefit.”
Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Mary McQuain read to the newly frocked chiefs from the chief petty officer’s creed then concluded by telling them her words of inspiration.
“Your entire way of life has now been changed. More will be expected of you; more will be demanded of you. Not because you are an E-7, but because you are now a chief petty officer. You have not merely been promoted one pay grade. You have joined an exclusive fraternity - and, as in all fraternities, you have a responsibility to your brothers - even as they have a responsibility to you.”
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2013 03:21 |
| Story ID: | 114226 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, FLEACT Yokosuka welcomes its newest chief petty officers, by Paul Long, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
