Photo By Chief Petty Officer Somers Steelman | 170329-N-AV234-006 PEARL HARBOR (Mar. 29, 2017) U.S. Pacific Fleet Chief Petty...... read more read more
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On April 1, 1893, the rank of chief petty officer (CPO) was established in the Navy as the highest attainable rate an enlisted sailor could earn, ushering a 124-year legacy of heritage in the U.S. Navy.
Since that day, the birth of the revered title is celebrated annually to honor the service of chief petty officers committed to developing their junior sailors and instilling them with the Navy core values.
In celebration of the 124th birthday of the chief petty officer, more than 400 CPOs from across the island of Oahu came together March 27 – April 1 to conduct community relations projects, CPO 365 Phase I events, and history and heritage gatherings throughout the week.
The CPOs on Oahu celebrated the birth of their ranks by participating in events such as a wreath-laying ceremony aboard the USS Arizona Memorial, restoration projects at local men and women’s homeless shelters, and a CPO Scholarship Fund Invitational Golf Tournament. The celebration week will culminate with the 124th CPO Birthday Ball in Waikiki, Mar. 31.
“One of the charges of the chief petty officer is to be responsible for keeping the heritage of the U.S. Navy alive and well,” said Command Master Chief David Carter, Commander Navy Region Hawaii. “The birth of the chief petty officer rank is pretty historic in our Navy’s history, in that, no other branch of service has the cadre of leadership that the Navy does in our chief petty officers, so it’s important that we recognize that as we continue to uphold our Navy’s heritage.”
Carter said that becoming a CPO was one of his proudest days in a career that has spanned more than 30 years in the Navy, and he is sure that other CPOs share his passion for the anchor.
“My hope is that the chiefs who participate in the week celebrating the 124th birthday of the CPO walk away with a renewed sense of pride, heritage and an understanding of why we do what we do as CPOs,” said Carter. “The opportunity to go out into the community where we live, who supports us, is vitally important because it shows that the chief’s mess is doing its part to give the Navy a good name within our community.”
First class petty officers involved in the Navy’s CPO 365 Phase I program were afforded the opportunity to work alongside the CPOs during an athletic event, something Senior Chief Operations Specialist Pedro Lopez hoped would provide the first class petty officers insight into how to better lead their junior personnel.
“As CPOs, we’re ambassadors of the Navy’s heritage, and this week represents 124 years of lessons learned,” said Lopez. “The CPO 365 program is run year-round, and having the chance to build that relationship with our Sailors is amazing, and I hope they take what they’ve learned from participating in this week back to their Sailors as well.”
Chief Personnel Specialist Christina Rheaume echoed Lopez’s desire to see enlisted service members strive to be better leaders.
“This week always instills a sense of personal pride in me, not only because it represents the importance of the CPO Mess, but also all of the great things it has contributed throughout the years to the legacy of the Navy,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Christina Rheaume. “Bringing the heritage of the chief petty officer to the way we lead our junior Sailors is what I feel helps motivate them to become better Sailors themselves.”
The rank of chief petty officer was established in General Order 409 on April 1, 1893, to provide deckplate leadership and officially bridge the gap between enlisted and officer ranks. The Navy added senior and master chief petty officers to the enlisted ranks on June 1, 1958.
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2017 04:03 |
| Story ID: | 228566 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 1,018 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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