Happy 123rd birthday, chiefs! As I look back over my career and reflect on the significant milestones I've reached, the one that stands out the most is when I was advanced to chief petty officer (CPO). Advancing to CPO is, in my opinion, the most significant promotion of any branch of our armed forces. Most, if not all, active duty and retired CPOs--and those who were prior CPOs before obtaining a commission--will echo that same sentiment if asked.

The CPO Creed gives us our initial charge as chief petty officers and serves as a source document from which all other directives and guiding principles are derived that govern what is expected and required of a CPO. It is that document that we use to "take a fix" on how we are performing as CPOs each year. To be "the chief," you must consistently evaluate (i.e., take a fix on) your performance as a deckplate leader to see if you are, in fact, still on course with your charge as a CPO.

A true CPO exhibits virtually all of the following characteristics (not all-inclusive).

Leadership: I mean this on the grandest of all scales--unilateral, all-encompassing, where the rubber meets the road and, most of all, passionate. I call it leadership from the gut. The chief understands the differences between leadership, supervision and management.

Experience: The chief has already done what he or she demands and expects from the Sailors he or she is charged with leading, while consistently training, developing, and mentoring those Sailors.

Understanding. A true CPO has a full and clear understanding of his or her charge as a chief petty officer in providing deckplate leadership.

Always on: The CPO inculcates our mission, vision and guiding principles into everyday life, both on- and off-duty, and not just once a year during CPO induction. You should routinely evaluate yourself and ask yourself, "Am I measuring up to the creed?"

Sense of history: The chief has a sense of the heritage and history of the CPO and understands his or her role in maintaining and contributing to our legacy of strong deckplate leadership. Acknowledge those master chiefs, senior chiefs and chiefs who helped form the foundation from which you operate today as a chief and forever understand your tie to them.

Selflessness: The chief has a full understanding that "the cause" is much bigger than oneself. I don't do this for me; I do it for the Navy and our history of being and maintaining ourselves as the most powerful sea-going service in the world.

Represent: A true CPO has a clear understanding of what it is that you represent when you don your uniform (the Navy, your command, the CPO Mess). You are the chief!

Again, leadership. A true CPO is the jack of all trades and master of one--leadership! He or she knows how to put the right Sailor in the right place at the right time!

I am privileged and honored to be afforded the opportunity to provide leadership that directly impacts the future of our Navy. I am humbled by it, and I am truly indebted to those who have forged the way before me. That tie that binds me to our CPO heritage is what gives me my understanding of what my charge is as the chief!

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