Chief petty officers (CPOs) and CPO selectees from throughout Hampton Roads gathered for Heritage Day, part of the Navy's CPO 365 training, aboard historic battleship Wisconsin (BB 64) Aug. 17.

CPO 365 is a year-round training process for all E-6 personnel, regardless of their time-in-rate or board eligibility. Phase II of the process begins when the CPO Selection Board releases the results for each year's advancement cycle. Phase II is designed to engender toughness, resilience, and teamwork.

The day began at 5 a.m. as numerous CPO selectees and their sponsors mustered at Harbor Park Stadium. Quickly falling into formation by command, the group proceeded to march to the sound of cadence and made their way through the heart of downtown Norfolk to battleship Wisconsin.

Former USS Wisconsin (BB 64) received her commission April 16, 1944, under the command of Capt. Earl E. Stone. During her tenure as an active U.S. Navy warship, she earned five battle stars during World War II, her sixth battle star during the Korean War, and another during Operation Desert Storm. The ship played a crucial role in liberating Kuwait from invading Iraqi forces during the Gulf War. The ship was decommissioned Sept. 30, 1991, under the command of Capt. Coenraad van der Schroeff following 47-years of service.

CPO selectees formed eight teams and proceeded to board Wisconsin and visit select stations throughout the ship. Each station presented a unique aspect of naval heritage.

One station featured retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Duane R. Bushey, who served as the seventh MCPON 1988-1992. He was instrumental in restructuring the CPO induction process which led the way for what is known today as CPO 365.

"This is the greatest promotion you will ever have," said Bushey while speaking with a group of chief selects. "Some of you will go on to warrant officer, some to limited duty officer, and one of you may end up making captain one day. Still, this is the best promotion because this is the one where you go through the process that brings you into the brotherhood [of the Chiefs Mess]."

Featured in the ship's Combat Information Center (CIC) was Master Chief Operations Specialist John Lindsay from U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Lindsay served as a member of the crew 1988-1991. He spoke about the importance of training, communication, and caring drawing from his experiences working in the ship's CIC during Operation Desert Shield.

"No one cares about what you know, or how much you know unless they know that you care," said Lindsay speaking on the importance of training junior Sailors.

Lindsay added junior Sailors will be more receptive to instruction and correction when they know the person -- the chief -- giving that direction or feedback truly cares.

On Sept. 16, hundreds of Sailors will receive their distinguished fouled anchor collar devices. Upon pinning them on and assuming the role of being "the chief," each will step into a larger world of honor, prestige, and most importantly, a responsibility to all the chiefs who came before them and to those who will one day succeed them.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 23,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and around the world where training breeds confidence.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more information about the Center for Security Forces, visit us at http://www.navy.mil/local/csf, www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csfwww.facebook.com/CENSECFORHQ or www.twitter.com/censecfor.