Chief petty officers (CPOs) and CPO selectees from various commands throughout Navy Region Southwest (NRSW) gathered at the USS Midway Museum for the thirteenth annual CPO Pride Day, Sept. 9.

More than 2,500 senior enlisted Sailors from NRSW gathered to celebrate the CPO legacy, naval heritage, customs and traditions.

"Today is the day for us to be chiefs with chiefs, networking within the community, and showing our future which is our chief selects how big this community really is," said NRSW Command Master Chief Chad Lunnsford.

The event hosted a variety of speakers, including the 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Joe Campa (retired) who spoke about what it means to be a chief petty officer.

"Being a chief means the responsibility of leading our Sailors to success and bringing out the best in all of our people," said Campa. "I think we keep getting better and better as we bring new chiefs into the mess."

Campa added that it was important for him to be at CPO Pride Day as he wants to continue to show his support of the CPO community and to see its continued progress over the years.

After the events at the USS Midway Museum, the chiefs and chief selectees marched to the Ruocco Park to participate in a cadence competition, raffles, and share lunch with their fellow chiefs.

"It was great to take part in CPO Pride Day," said Chief Yeoman (sel) Rashad Scott. "Hearing from all the chiefs here today, both past and present, gives me a lot of foresight and knowledge as I get set to begin my journey as a chief in the Navy."

CPO Pride Day kicked off Fleet Week San Diego 2016.

Fleet week offers the public an opportunity to meet Sailors, Marines, and members of the Coast Guard and gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the national defense of the United States and freedom of the seas.

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

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visit www.navy.mil/.