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NORFOLK, Va. -- With an audience of family, friends and shipmates, nine new U.S. Navy chief petty officers from Commander, U.S. Second Fleet and Carrier Strike Group Two joined the Chief’s Mess during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony at Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic, Sept. 16.
The Fiscal Year 2011 chief petty officers are: Chief Petty Officer Bobbie Branch, Chief Petty Officer Sean Gravesande, Chief Petty Officer Josh Jacobs, Chief Petty Officer Alex Latorre, Chief Petty Officer Monica Tipton, Chief Petty Officer Amanda Turner, Chief Petty Officer Danielle Wright, Chief Petty Officer Seema Kurup and Chief Petty Officer Arletta Scott.
In order to get to pinning, chief selectees go through a rite of passage called Induction. It is a process steeped in tradition; providing knowledge, direction, heritage and training to the selectees. It is based on the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy’s guidance to ensure first class petty officers selected to chief understand the importance of transition, the role of the chief, and why it is the pinnacle of an enlisted person’s career; the greatest day of a sailor’s life when the rank of chief petty officer is achieved.
As they begin a new chapter in their lives as chief petty officers, they will always remember the moment of selection, the Induction process and the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment standing in front of family and friends with their khaki’s and their new collar devices - anchors.
“I felt overwhelmed upon selection, but it quickly turned to a mixture of emotions I didn’t really understand because I was taken out of my comfort zone,” said Tipton.
“I was overjoyed with my selection, but I became confused and frustrated as I experienced new things during the transition season. On final night though, everything became clear and I understood what the last few weeks were all about,” said Jacobs. “Now that it’s over, I feel like I am on top of the world, and it’s an awesome feeling.”
With a new leadership outlook, a new uniform and a new way of doing business, the new chiefs received some sound advice from Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer Michael McCalip (ret.), the ceremony’s guest speaker.
“The successful chief is the one who does his or her part to see their ship or command gets safely underway on time, every time,” said McCalip. “Critically think and challenge comments like ‘that’s the way we have always done it’. Ask the hard questions and always demand the right answers. Today’s chief must encourage rather than stifle innovation.”
McCalip went on to say that as chiefs, they must demonstrate a strong desire to uphold the sacred trust required to be a member of this elite corps of leadership in the U.S. Navy.
“Your actions must be above reproach, and you will be expected to encourage your Sailors, listen to them and lead them. And make no mistake about it, the young men and women who will ultimately be in your charge are worth every ounce of integrity and leadership you are capable of,” said McCalip.
As they acclimate to their new titles and become the face of deckplate leadership, the Chief’s Mess is ready to help them navigate through the waters of being a first-year chief.
“We’re ready to move forward with our new chiefs and put them out front so they can lead their Sailors in their khaki uniform,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Brett Cummings, Second Fleet’s FY-11 Induction coordinator.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2010 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 56410 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 16 |
This work, Chief Induction Wraps up: Selectees Put on Anchors, by CPO Mary Popejoy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
