SURFLANT Pins Newest Chief Petty Officers

21 October 2022

From MC1 Jacob Milham

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. - Nine Sailors from Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) received their gold-fouled anchors during the command’s chief pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21, 2022.

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NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) Mentors cover Chief Quartermaster Thomas Reeder during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21, 2022. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) A chief petty officer mentor covers Chief Logistics Specialist Kokou Moutchou during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21, 2022. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) Family members pin Chief Logistics Specialist Kokou Moutchou’s anchors during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21, 2022. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) A chief petty officer mentor pins Chief Culinary Specialist Prince Kudalor’s anchors during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21, 2022. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) Mentors cover Chief Hospital Corpsman Rashad Mckenzie during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21, 2022. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) The Naval Surface Force Atlantic Chiefs Mess poses for a group photo following the chief pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21, 2022. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) Family members and mentors pin Chief Fire Controlman (Aegis) Stormy Wofford’s anchors during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) Family members pin Chief Electronics Technician Israel Rivera’s anchors during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) Family members and mentors pin Chief Hospital Corpsman Monique Brown’s anchors during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Oct. 21, 2022) Newly promoted chief petty officers stand at attention during the Naval Surface Force Atlantic chief petty officer pinning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 21. Nine Sailors received their gold-fouled anchors during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Milham)

The newest Sailors to take on their positions of leadership and responsibility in SURFLANT’s Chiefs Mess are Chief Hospital Corpsman Monique Brown, Chief Personnel Specialist Brendan Curry, Chief Electricians Mate Aaron Householder, Chief Culinary Specialist Prince Kudalor, Chief Hospital Corpsman Rashad Mckenzie, Chief Logistics Specialist Kokou Moutchou, Chief Quartermaster Thomas Reeder, Chief Electronics Technician Israel Rivera, and Chief Fire Controlman (Aegis) Stormy Wofford.

The rank of chief petty officer is regarded as a significant milestone in an enlisted Sailor’s career. With the advancement comes an increased responsibility of taking charge and training Sailors. Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, SURFLANT, took time to welcome the Navy’s newest chief petty officers.

“Before us today, we have those newest members of this special cohort,” McLane said. “Nine Sailors who come from all walks of life. Each Chief Select is different, and yet, they each have a drive that brought them to this point today. A drive to do more, to be more, to give more.”

The ceremony came after six weeks of training and mentorship from the SURFLANT Chiefs Mess. Each Sailor received one-on-one mentorship, plus multiple evolutions preparing them to be a chief petty officer. SURFLANT Force Master Chief Jason Knupp spoke about the importance of Friday’s ceremony.

“For these Sailors, this is the result of years of tribulation and work,” Knupp said. “It is certainly a great day.”

SURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of 77 ships and 31 shore commands. For more SURFLANT news and photos, visit facebook.com/SURFLANT, https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/, and Twitter - @surflant.

-CNSL-

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