Courtesy Photo | KEY WEST, Fla. - Sailors from Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) Detachment Key...... read more read more
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) frocked nearly a sixth of its enlisted Navy personnel to the next higher rank. The 121 Sailors had their new rank insignias pinned on their uniforms during three separate ceremonies last week at FRCSE Detachments Jacksonville, Key West and Mayport.
Frocking is an administrative authorization to assume the title and wear the uniform of a higher pay grade. It provides early recognition for members selected for petty officer third class through master chief petty officer, according to the Navy’s military personnel manual.
A letter, read prior to each frocking, charges each Sailor to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. It reads:
“Your appointment carries with it the obligation that you exercise increased authority and willingly accept greater responsibility. Occupying now a position of greater authority, you must strive with a renewed dedication toward the valued ideal of service with honor.”
Lt. Cmdr. Claude Taylor, officer in charge for FRCSE Detachment Mayport said he is proud of his Sailors and knows each of them will live up to that charge.
“It is a great feeling to see so many Sailors get promoted,” he said. “We have been blessed with some of the finest young men and women of our nation, to see them work hard, study hard and get rewarded with selection to the next grade is fantastic. They are our leaders of tomorrow."
The Sailors will not receive pay and benefits associated with the higher grade until their actual date of promotion, which varies for each. Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (AW) Kevin Mott, one of the senior enlisted at FRCSE Detachment Mayport, said the pay raise delay does not stop each command from expecting more from each frockee.
“Everyone’s morale will be higher after seeing this many folks being promoted; when morale increases, so does productivity and performance,” said Mott. “That’s what we expect – with increased rank comes increased responsibility. I am confident each of them will rise to the occasion.”
Mott said there is an unwritten tradition when someone is promoted to pass on their old rank insignia to a subordinate who exemplifies the traits of a great Sailor. The insignia serves as motivation to the protégé and reminds them that if they continue to work hard, they will achieve that rank and responsibility.
Senior Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AW) Jerome Crawford, of FRCSE Detachment Jacksonville, plans to give his old rank insignia to Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Keiston Jones.
“He reminds me of myself when I was younger,” said Crawford. “He makes me proud because he is hungry and strives to be better every day. I am getting promoted because my Sailors worked hard for me – Jones is an example of that.”
The bulk of the frockings took place at the largest of the three commands, FRCSE Detachment Jacksonville. Yeoman 1st Class Carmelo Felix was one of the detachment’s 99 Sailors frocked in Friday’s ceremony. The six-year Navy veteran said becoming a petty officer first class is an honor that he has looked forward to for a long time.
“It’s an overwhelming feeling but I am ready,” he said. “I put in a lot of time and effort to get here. Making first class is hard work.”
FRCSE Detachment Jacksonville Officer in Charge Cmdr. Scott Carter attributes the success of each of his frockees to having a strong support network. He said family and friends play a big role in the success of every Sailor.
“These Sailors know they could not have made it here without the support of family and friends,” he said.
Jenny Byrd, wife of Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel Byrd and one of the pillars of support Carter mentioned, attended the ceremony with her daughter. She said she was glad to be there on such an important occasion.
“I am very proud of him. He works very hard at what he does and strives to do his best all the time. He is definitely ready for the increased responsibility.”
Retired Marine Col. Arthur Athens, director for U. S. Naval Academy's Stockdale Center for ethical leadership, delivered a speech to Detachment Mayport following their ceremony thanking each Sailor for their service and challenged each to strive to become extraordinary leaders.
In his speech, dubbed "What's love got to do with it," he told the frockees the secret to being an extraordinary leader is to exemplify three attributes – competence, courage and compassion.
“What an honor to be here for such a monumental ceremony,” said Athens. “Anytime you can watch this many service members advance in grade and assume positions of greater responsibility it is a good day.”
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2015 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 165196 |
| Location: | NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 383 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, FRCSE frocks nearly 15 percent of its Sailors to next higher rank, by MSgt J. L. Wright Jr., identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
