Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Hendrix | Chief Petty Officer Anthony R. Cash Jr., left, and Command Master Chief Petty Officer...... read more read more
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USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea – Standing against a backdrop of the hangar bay 2 bulkhead, under white and sox lights, Chief Petty Officer Surette, Mazique of Supply Department, S-12 Division, introduced the men and women known as chief petty officers to more than 300 Sailors aboard the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in celebration of the 116th birthday of the chief petty officer rank April 1.
"The fouled anchor, an anchor with a chain wrapped around it, symbolizes the trials and tribulations that every chief petty officer must endure on a daily basis," Mazique narrated. "The 'USN' stands for unity, service and navigation, symbolizing the unity of the CPO mess, and the undaunted service to God and country of each and every chief petty officer. Along with the navigation a chief is expected to provide to each Sailor, each Navy ship and the entire fleet."
Chiefs from Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8 staff and embarked Carrier Air Wing 7 squadrons stood side-by-side with those from IKE in different uniforms that represented the history, tradition and life experiences of CPOs since April 1, 1893.
"Our theme tonight was to celebrate the heritage and memory of the World War II chief petty officers," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Gregory Carter, Operations Department, OC Division, leading chief petty officer and the ceremony's coordinator. "Every day we take privilege to honor the chiefs that went before us."
The hour-long ceremony covered the CPO history from yesterday to today with the guest speaker, IKE's Command Master Chief Petty Officer Bryan Exum, stressing the importance of the 'S' in 'USN.'
"We are taking this day to accentuate the 'S' in the 'USN.' The 'S' stands for service and it's even more important to serve the Sailors today on our 116th birthday," Exum said.
The audience learned about the first Sailor promoted to chief during the Revolutionary War, the many changes of the CPO uniform as chiefs from the mess modeled actual uniforms from the World War II era, the importance of a 'charge book' – a valid and valuable learning tool used a by first class petty officer during his or her transition to chief and the creation and establishment of the master chief petty officer of the Navy.
One of the highlights of the event was a video made aboard IKE, asking Sailors to share their most memorable experience with a chief.
That particular segment of the presentation hit home for Petty Officer 1st Class Tongela L. Freeman, Navy career counselor assigned to the "Nightdippers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 5, because she recently found out that she was selected for the chief's board, she said.
"I look forward to being a part of the chief petty officer association," Freeman shared. "I attended tonight's ceremony because I wanted to experience it with those of whom I hope will be my future brothers and sisters."
The ceremony ended with a cake-cutting presentation of the most junior chief aboard the ship, Chief Petty Officer Anthony R. Cash Jr., of Reactor Department, RM Division, and the most senior chief, HS-5 Command Master Chief Petty Officer John Louvat. The multiple chief anchor designed frosted white cake was made by Petty Officer 3rd Class Angela Eads of Supply Department, S-2 Division.
Before the ceremony, a number of master chief petty officers served crew members crab legs, lobster and steak during chow on the aft and forward mess decks.
The rest of the CPOs took on the duties of food service attendants, giving junior Sailors a break and a helping hand for the night.
"It was kind of cool seeing the chiefs serve us food," said Airman Alycia Moore, of Weapons Department, G-3 Division. "I was surprised. And I asked a chief what was going on, and he said it was for the chief petty officer birthday."
"I've encountered a lot of chiefs who have been very helpful thus far in my naval career," Moore shared. "It's good to have chiefs like that who you know you can count on to go and talk to."
The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime operations and operate in international waters across the globe.
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2009 02:36 |
| Story ID: | 32029 |
| Location: | ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 724 |
| Downloads: | 525 |
This work, Eisenhower Celebrates Chief's 116th Birthday, by PO2 Kenneth Hendrix, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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