When USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) got underway, March 30, the ship was presenting two newly painted golden anchors to the waterfront.

The golden anchors are a show of pride for a command and symbolize the Retention Excellence Award for 2016.

"The Retention Excellence Award is a total team effort," said Ike's Command Master Chief Tyrone Blockton. "From leaders, to career counselors, to shipmates, it's proof that we implemented and maintained programs that not only informed Sailors, but made them want to stay in the Navy."

The anchors were painted by Ike's Deck department, and Commanding Officer Capt. Paul C. Spedero Jr. and Executive Officer Capt. Craig C. Sicola ceremoniously applied a final coat shortly before getting underway.

"The golden anchors are painted when the ship earns the Retention Excellence Award the previous fiscal year," said Chief Navy Counselor Jamie Gilbert. "It shows anyone who sees those anchors that we're taking care of our Sailors and that the career program is being run effectively."

Every year a ship can submit to become eligible for the award once certain benchmarks in fields such as retention, attrition and career development boards have been achieved.

"Departmental and divisional counselors and all leadership on board have had a verse in this by taking the time to support and preserve the most important commodity on the ship: the Sailor," Gilbert said.

The command career counselor's office must rely on the departmental and divisional career counselors to help assist in the preservation and advancement of the many Sailors stationed aboard Ike.

"With a command this size, it speaks volumes about the entire command," Senior Chief Navy Counselor Crystal Webb said. "We are super proud of our career development team. We know that it's not their full time responsibility. It's a collateral duty, but the extra time and commitment they've shown is evident in earning the Retention Excellence Award."

Creating a climate for success remains a high priority for the ship's leadership. Preparing junior Sailors, who proudly choose to wear their "I Like Ike" command pins, to extend their service and reach for leadership positions themselves is the only way to preserve the naval service for future generations.

"When I was a junior Sailor I decided to reenlist because I felt I was good at something. From the yard period, through our deployment, and now in our return to homeport, Sailors have had a reason to be proud," Blockton said. "When you walk down the pier and see that anchor, let it be a statement of pride in what we do and how well we do it."

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

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