Chief petty officers (CPO), senior chief petty officers, master chief petty officers and CPO selectees assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) joined together to run in formation along the Virginia Beach boardwalk, Sept. 3.

“The chief’s mess is a very tight community so being out there with them helps us get to know each other,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Dana Cox. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. They were out there supporting us, and we needed to show them what we’re about.”

The run was part of the six-week induction process to help teach Ike’s 26 CPO selectees lessons in chief heritage by stopping at monuments along the boardwalk.

“We stopped at the Naval Aviation Monument and talked about its history,” said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Damien Burke. “We spoke about the contributions that naval special warfare has given to our community at the Navy SEAL Monument and how they fit into our heritage as well.”

The event also familiarized the selectees with the responsibilities that come with being a CPO.

“We’re training our replacements,” said Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist Anthony Bush. “We’ve done everything that they’re doing. For them to see us go through it with them again alongside them helps build their confidence.”

Running in Virginia Beach along the boardwalk helps the selectees get a sense of how proud the local community is.

“Everyone stops and listens, the cadence is reverberating off the buildings and retirees are all over the place cheering along with you because years ago they were in your place. In many ways they relive their experience,” said Bush.

Above all else, the six-mile run instilled a sense of pride in the potential chiefs.

“It’s not so much personal pride, but pride in the service,” said Bush. “Everyone comes in for a different reason, but we all raised our right hand together.”

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.