Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brittney Kinsey | SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 24, 2022) Chief petty officer combination covers are displayed...... read more read more
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SASEBO, Japan – Eleven 1st Class Petty Officers and one Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. assigned to the amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) assumed the roles and responsibilities of Chief Petty Officers during a pinning ceremony on board, while the ship was moored in Sasebo, Japan, Oct. 24, 2022.
America received special permission to pin the new chiefs on Oct. 24, four days after the established Navy pinning date, in order to accommodate operational requirements and ensure that the chief-selects could be pinned by their friends and family.
“It’s more than just a promotion,” said America’s Command Master Chief, Patrick Lampley. “Over the past six weeks, each of those selected has been tried, tested and we have accepted them to fulfill their new and demanding role as “the Chief.” They have proven to have the technical expertise, operational experience, and devotion to Sailors, required to ascend to the next level of leadership.”
The pinning ceremony marks the conclusion of a six week training period in which selects are mentored by current Chief Petty Officers through a time honored initiation, in order to provide them the tools necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities expected of a Chief.
The ceremony is unlike any promotion occurring in any branch of the military. The selectees march out to their places singing Anchors Aweigh, the Navy’s service song, with pride. There is an interactive moment with the crowd in the ceremony where all Chief Petty Officers past and present are asked to stand at attention during the reading of the Chief Petty Officer Creed, but the highlight of the ceremony is when each selectee is asked to report front and center. At this point the selectee is covered by their sponsor, who acted as a guide and mentor throughout the process. Next they have their anchors pinned on their collars by friends or loved ones. After the newly minted Chief is in full uniform, they are piped aboard by an honor boatswain, receiving six side boys. This is where they render a hand salute and walk across a red carpet as a symbol of arriving into the Chiefs Mess.
America’s Commanding Officer, Capt. William Snyder spoke during the ceremony about the importance of the role of the Chief.
“The new Chief Petty Officers are the first line of support to our junior Sailors,” said Snyder. “This pinning is not the culmination of six weeks, but a career of devotion to service, and I’m incredibly proud of all of you.”
America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2022 05:06 |
| Story ID: | 431944 |
| Location: | SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JP |
| Web Views: | 689 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS America Holds Chief Pinning Ceremony, by LT Beau Nickerson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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