CNE Officer Promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 5

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Gary Keen | Chief Warrant Officer 4 Donna Gialone recites the oath of office with Capt. Pete Frano during a promotion ceremony, Nov. 3, 2008. Gialone became the third African-American woman to be advanced to the rank of Navy CWO 5. The CWO5 rank was established in 2006. There are only 25 Sailors serving the U.S. Navy in this community. With only five percent of the CWO force making CWO5; it is one of the toughest selections in the military. CWOs have been around since 1775 and are Navy subject matter experts.  

11.03.2008

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gary Keen 

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gary Keen
U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Sixth Fleet

NAPLES, Italy – Chief Warrant Officer Donna Gialone became the third African-American woman to be advanced to the rank of Navy Chief Warrant Officer 5 today by Capt. Pete Frano.

"This advancement proves race or creed do not matter in this organization; it's the work you do and how well you do it that count. I am a living example that you can do and be anything you want as long as you put your mind to it," said Gialone. "I came from Harlem and, statically speaking, there are very few success stories from where I grew up."

As a CWO5, Gialone represents a community which makes up only 0.0075 percent of the total U.S. Navy Sailors serving on active duty.

"Being one of the 25 CWO5 Sailors in the Navy speaks volumes about Donna Gialone," said Frano. "It takes someone with very special talents to be selected to this prestigious rank".

CWO5 was established in 2006. There are only 25 Sailors serving the U.S. Navy in this community. With only five percent of the CWO force making CWO5; it is one of the toughest selections in the military. CWOs have been around since 1775 and are Navy subject matter experts.

CWO5 Gialone, a 28 year veteran, currently serves as the Administration Officer to Commander, U. S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U. S. Sixth Fleet since March, 2007. Upon completing her tour with CNE-C6F in February, 2009, Chief Warrant Officer Gialone will transfer to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, New York.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2008
• Date Posted: 11.03.2008 12:31
• Story ID: 25865