Photo By Master Sgt. Joseph Vine | Eighteen petty officers 1st class sing "Anchors Aweigh" as part of an induction and...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD - “Anchors Aweigh” echoed through the halls of Al Faw Palace Sept. 16 as 18 sailors circled the rotunda in tight formation. After falling in and reciting the Sailors Creed, they made their way, one by one, onto a wooden stage and were presented with a new cover and rank insignia: the fouled anchor that is the symbol of the United States Navy, chief petty officer.
The advancement to chief petty officer is a century old tradition and the culminating event in the careers of many sailors in the U.S. Navy.
The promotion to “Chief ” represents a sailor’s expertise in their field, as well as outstanding leadership, said Rear Adm. David Simpson, director of communication and information systems for United States Forces - Iraq.
“It’s a very competitive selection to be picked for chief petty officer in the Navy,” said Simpson.
“This is a time-honored Navy tradition that all E-6s go through … to become a chief petty officer,” said newly-promoted Chief Petty Officer Justin West, a native of Houston and a crypto-logic technician with the Joint Expeditionary Signal Intelligence Tactical Reconnaissance.
“It took a lot of work, hours, fellow sailors and chiefs to get me to this point in my career,” said Chief Petty Officer Tricia Croarkin, a native of St. Louis, and a crypto-logic technician with Task Force Troy.
Like the chiefs who helped them, these new chiefs look forward to mentoring young sailors.
“Throughout your career, the chiefs are always teaching you, and this is your time to give back,” said West.
“I want to lead the sailors in the right direction so that they too can … be chiefs,” said Croarkin.
This was the seventh chief petty officer promotion ceremony in Iraq, and first during Operation New Dawn.
For many, it was a great honor to be promoted at Al Faw Palace in a deployed environment.
“I get to experience things that I never would have gotten to experience had I been promoted back with my reserve unit,” said Croarkin.
“I’m very proud to be where I’m at. It’s a pretty fantastic feeling,” she said.
“This is a very unique situation where I got promoted with my side arm on,” said West. “How many people can say they were promoted in Al Faw Palace?”
With the clang of a bell and the whistle of the Bosuns pipe, the 18 chiefs “arrived” on a day that will hold a prominent place in their military career.
| Date Taken: | 10.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.12.2010 03:16 |
| Story ID: | 57915 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
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