OCEANSIDE, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2022) – Nine Sailors from Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Southwest received their gold-fouled anchors during the command’s chief pinning ceremony in the El Corazon Banquet Hall at the Oceanside Senior Center, October 21, 2022.
The newest Sailors to take on their positions of leadership and responsibility in NTAG Southwest’s Chiefs Mess are Chief Builder Erlgen D. Aquino, Chief Yeoman Dorothy E. Douglas, Chief Navy Counselor Michael J. Farbridge-Currie, Chief Navy Counselor Ryan P. Lighten, Chief Navy Counselor Justin A. Mancini, Chief Fire Controlman (Aegis) Olawunmi Ojetola, Chief Navy Counselor Christopher T. Oliver, Chief Navy Counselor Rory J. Shisler, and Chief Navy Counselor Dan Angelo L. Tulabot.
The rank of chief petty officer is regarded as a significant milestone in an enlisted Sailor’s career. With the advancement comes an increased responsibility to take charge of and to train junior Sailors.
NTAG Southwest Commanding Officer Keith J. Bushey took time to welcome the Navy’s newest chief petty officers.
“I am incredibly proud of you. The command is proud of you. The Navy is proud of you. But most importantly, your families, friends and loved ones are proud of you,” said Bushey. “By making the decision to put yourself in a position to be successful every single day, you have earned the right to be part of an elite group. A group whose guidance I have received, whose counsel I have sought, and whose respect I work hard to continue to earn.”
“From now on, when someone says, “Ask the Chief,” they are referring to you,” said Bushey.
The ceremony came after six weeks of training and mentorship from the NTAG Southwest Chiefs’ Mess. Each Sailor received one-on-one mentorship, plus multiple evolutions preparing them to be a chief petty officer. NTAG Southwest Command Master Chief Roberto Venegas spoke about the importance of the pinning ceremony.
“I welcome you here today to witness a Navy tradition which has been performed for 129 years,” Venegas said. “You will not just be present for the advancement of nine first class petty officers to the next paygrade, but also to share in the most significant transition that they will ever make in their Navy careers.”
The command was established as Navy Recruiting District San Diego in January 1975 and transformed into NTAG Southwest in December 2020. NTAG Southwest’s area of responsibility encompasses more than 210,000 square miles covering southern California, southern Nevada and western Arizona. Headquartered at Naval Base Point Loma, the command has 43 recruiting stations and employs more than 375 Sailors and civilian personnel.
For more news from NTAG Southwest, go to https://www.cnrc.navy.mil/Southwest/. Follow the command on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NTAGSW), Twitter (@NRD_SanDiego) and Instagram (@NTAGSW).
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2022 20:08 |
| Story ID: | 431933 |
| Location: | OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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