New Navy Chiefs step into role of senior expert, leader

New Navy Chiefs step into role of senior expert, leader
1st Marine Division
Story by Sgt. Jacob Harrer


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A graduating class of chief petty officers stand at attention after being pinned with the anchor rank insignia by friends and family. Each chief wears a tan combination cover that was placed on his head by a mentor who has guided him through a six-week induction course. It is a Navy ceremony rife with centuries-old traditions.

A Navy bell sounds attention. A whistle blows, and the newly promoted chief petty officers walk down the red carpet, saluting two columns of sailors standing as “sideboys.” The red carpet with sideboys is usually for officers and special guests; chief petty officers are the only enlisted sailors afforded this honor. By walking down the aisle, chief petty officers are officially “welcomed aboard.”

The elaborate promotion ceremony symbolizes a major transition in the career of sailors, said Senior Chief Petty Officer Pete E. Torres, the Field Medical Battalion operations chief and the co-chair of the chief petty officer induction committee. After many years of learning their crafts and coming up through the ranks, the new chiefs enter into a fraternity with the most knowledgeable and experienced enlisted sailors in the Navy.
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If you want to see what this ceremony is like, I filmed this one at the Reserve Center in Orlando. While the ceremony lasted a lot longer, here are the highlights.

Published on Sep 15, 2012 by Kathie Costos DiCesare
7 new Navy Chief Petty Officers were pinned today in Orlando at the Reserve Center with a couple of really funny moments.