Photo By Douglas Stutz | Fist bump of respect ... Force Master Chief Sherman Boss, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine...... read more read more
There were feelings of relief, honor and completion of achieving a Navy milestone like no other on Sept. 16, 2015, at Naval Hospital Bremerton as three new Navy chief petty officers received their anchors.
Chief Hospital Corpsmen Andrew Bernal, Chief Hospital Corpsmen Laura Blanco, and Chief Master-at-Arms Michael Haberstumpf were recognized for their transformation from Navy first class petty officer to chief as part of the 122th Navy-wide pinning ceremonies.
“What these three Sailors went through yesterday as well as the last six weeks has been somewhat heroic if not memorable,” said NHB Command Master Chief Randy Pruitt, as he addressed assembled family, friends, co-workers and special guests for the event.
Pruitt noted that when this day finally dawned, it probably seemed like a long ways away when they took that fateful advancement exam back in January, and as important as that exam was, it was because of their overall performance since then, as well as before, that made them all ready to endure such a transition.
“As chiefs, they will now find that Sailors will seek them out merely because they are the ‘chief.’ They will have bestowed on them instant credibility, a credibility that has been given because of the men and women who have worn the anchors before them on the cloth of our nation and lived their lives with honor, dignity and integrity. It is now their time to continue that tradition,” said Pruitt.
For Blanco, the past weeks were a blur of activity culminated by the pinning ceremony.
“It hasn’t really completely sunk in yet. It’s almost surreal. My family is very proud though,” Blanco said.
Guest speaker Vice Adm. Matthew Nathan, 37th Surgeon General of the Navy and Chief of Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, shared that he’s often asked by those in other services, who have not worked with chiefs, what is the big deal about celebrating a non-commissioned officer (NCO)?
“I tell them that we have a service that is unique like no other. We come from the sea. We have commands all over the world that move from latitude to longitude and we depend on what and who we have there. We are a service designed to deploy. The Navy and Marine Corps is the 911 force for conflict and for compassion and care. Whenever that call comes, we answer. We can bring the heat and provide the light. Good order and discipline are vital and there’s only so many assigned on a ship. We multi-task with all hands on deck and put more responsibilities and more requirements on our Sailors and officers. One prime reason why is because of the Navy chief. The chief is there to guide and mentor and if a Sailor falls, they get between them and the ground. They make sure the job gets done, just as they were taught by their chief before them. Chiefs have been leading Sailors for 200 years. Who you are, what you do, and what we expect of you is why we hold such a ceremony as this one today,” shared Nathan, noting that other services have amazing NCOs, but they are not chief petty officers.
“I would not want to be anywhere else today but here,” stated Nathan.
According to Pruitt, his advice to the new chiefs in the command echoed Navy Medicine’s Guiding Principles of ‘Ship, Shipmate, and Self,’ where each Sailor has a duty to take care of their command, each other and their self.
“Train your chain of command. Chiefs must seek out and provide mentorship, training and advise young Sailors as well as new division officers. The Navy and the nation relies on chiefs to build, not only the chiefs of the future but also the commanding officers of tomorrow,” Pruitt said, citing that a chief has to live their live by example, because like it or not, a chief is always being watched.
“The way you wear your uniform, the way you drive your car, the way you raise your children will all be evaluated by your Sailors as ‘the standard.’ Live life with the highest of moral values. We as chiefs owe that to the sons and daughters of America,” said Pruitt.
The manner of promotion to the rank of chief in the Navy is a unique process compared to the other branches in the armed forces. In the Army, Air Force and the Marine Corps, an E-6 becomes E-7. In the Navy, each eligible Sailor for chief are required to be selected by a ranking and selection board composed of master chiefs who actively chooses the future leadership from the most capable Sailors, considering both their aptitude as technical experts and ability as leaders. To signify the new leadership position to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, the time honored tradition of the chief’s pinning was created at the pay-grade’s inception in 1893.
“Take care of your Sailors. There is no better feeling than to be given the ability to mold the minds of young Sailors. You must train them, you must teach them and you must mentor them, but in some more important ways, you must protect them. Sometimes from themselves. Your Sailors will make mistakes. You job now is never let them fall and never let them fail. Be firm but fair and take care of them as long as they are yours to lead. Never take for granted where you are today. Take the time to remember and thank the Sailors who helped you along the way. The success that you are celebrating today is the responsibility of many. Be humble with your success. It is truly an honor to get to wear anchors on your collars every day,” said Pruitt.
With the addition of Bernal, Blanco and Haberstumpf, there are now 38 members in NHB’s Chief’s Mess.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2015 11:54 |
| Story ID: | 176384 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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