VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Twenty-eight sailors celebrated a milestone in their careers and Navy history, becoming the first sailors to be promoted to the rank of chief petty officer (CPO) in the newly-established Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR) during a pinning ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., Sept 14.
The ceremony took place in the Rockwell Hall Gymnasium where the CPO selects marched out singing “Anchors Aweigh,” followed by the parading of the colors and the national anthem.
To signify their promotion into the chief petty officer community, each selectee had two gold fouled anchors pinned on their uniform collar by family members and friends, and a combination cover placed onto their head.
The ceremony culminates six weeks of training and hard work for the CPO selects. This transition is a tradition rich in history and provides motivation, establishes trust, promotes unity, and teaches leadership with an emphasis on teamwork, said Command Master Chief Eric Clark, with Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Two.
“Everything is team oriented,” said Clark. “They were 28 individuals on day one. Now they work together as one group, supporting each other.”
Many of the selectees have lead junior sailors as the leading petty officer within their department. As chiefs, these sailors learn to come together and perform as a cohesive unit. Stepping back from this leadership role and taking on a more supportive role can be a challenge.
“Going from being in charge of a large group of sailors to taking orders from somebody who is your peer is a hard transition,” said Clark. “They have to learn how to be a supporting cast member instead of being a leading cast member.”
In addition to team-building exercises, the selectees gain knowledge of the history and time-honored traditions associated with the rank of a Navy chief.
“We learned a lot about teamwork, and got a sense of heritage,” said Chief Boatswain’s Mate William Squires, attached to Coastal Riverine Squadron 4. “Not just the heritage of the chief petty officer, but the history of sailors in the Navy, and America itself.”
Squires said these new chiefs haven’t just waited six weeks for this day; it has taken them years of hard work and determination to reach this achievement.
“When I first signed up, I didn’t picture myself becoming a chief,” said Squires. “In fact, I didn’t even plan on staying in the Navy, but I got to a point where I was like, ‘I want those anchors.’ It’s been a big sacrifice on my family’s part – a lot of missed holidays and birthdays.”
Having donned their gold fouled anchors and combination covers, the newest CORIVFOR chiefs stood at attention as the chief petty officer’s creed was read aloud to close the ceremony.
CORIVFOR, a merger of the Riverine force and Maritime Expeditionary Force (MESF), performs core maritime expeditionary security missions in the green and brown waters, bridging the gap between traditional Navy blue water operations and land-based forces, providing port and harbor security for vital waterways and protection of high value assets and maritime infrastructure.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2012 10:41 |
| Story ID: | 94819 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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