MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Sailors, their families and Marines attended the Chief Petty Officer
Pinning Ceremony at the base theater on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune,
Sept. 16.
The ceremony took place at the end of a six weeks transition period for
newly selected chief petty officers that are given first-hand knowledge
on what it means to be a chief in the Navy.
"It’s a huge honor and a tremendous moment in our careers," said Chief
Petty Officer Terry McCray-Matt, a newly promoted Chief of the 2017
fiscal year. "The faith and the trust that my Sailors, my family, my
leaders and myself instilled in me have come together to culminate a
huge moment."
Sailors’ family members placed the anchor insignia on their collars
while their mentors placed their new covers on their head symbolizing
both the physical and mental transition preparation accomplished of the
promoted.
"Seeing the heritage, learning about it through this whole process,
actually embracing it and being a part of that heritage makes me feel
close to home," said Chief Petty Officer Chad Sinclair, a newly promoted
Chief. "When these anchors are put on, the feelings you get from the
mess is not like any other service in the world; it certainly stands
apart, and I’m just honored to be a part of that.
The weeks of transition training for prospective chief petty officers
includes a personnel fitness plan for each selected chief, engaging in
scenarios to be better workplace supervisors leading petty officers,
participating in community service events, meeting each selected Chief’s
family, meeting with the spouse of the selected chiefs and completing
chief petty officer leadership and heritage courses.
"What they went through was a just a taste in the daily life of a chief
petty officer," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Joseph David Rawson, one
of two presidents for the graduating class. "Now it’s about being ‘the
Chief’ and not just a Chief, so they have to act accordingly, uphold
traditions and honors, display good order and discipline and take care
of those around them. It’s the most challenging job they’ll ever face."
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