Navy chief petty officers (CPOs) at Naval Health Clinic (NHC) Corpus Christi, led by Command Master Chief (SW/FMF) Rikki L. Brown, observed morning colors followed by a cake cutting ceremony March 31, marking their 124th birthday.

The rank of CPO was established in General Order 409 on April 1, 1893.

During an address to the chief's mess, noting the observance of official birthdays and their relationship to the passage of time, Capt. Guido F. Valdes, commanding officer, praised those wearing anchors.

"These are special days that mark the traditions of the Navy, particularly the traditions of the chief petty officer. I am very happy that we have such a great mess here because you make my job easier and I know there are a lot of challenges out there," said Valdes. "I look forward to the next few months, we still have a lot of work to do, so don't let up, keep doing what you're doing taking care of our Sailors, because we will be depending on you to make sure the Command runs well."

For 65 years Navy chiefs provided deckplate leadership, officially bridging the gap between enlisted and officer ranks, until the Navy added senior and master chief petty officers to the enlisted ranks on June 1, 1958.

The term deckplate leaders is a colloquial term referring to the senior enlisted personnel of the rate of chief petty officer and higher. They are generally charged with keeping good order and discipline within the lower enlisted rates.

At NHC Corpus Christi, the oldest and youngest deckplate leaders demonstrated CPO pride and tradition using a Navy CPO Cutlass.

Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW) Ray Manahan, a 22-year Navy veteran from Boise, Idaho, and the senior enlisted leader of Clinical Support Services directorate; and Chief Hospital Corpsman (FMF) Yesenia Minaya, a 14 1/2-year veteran from the Dominican Republic, and the leading chief petty officer of Human Resources, sliced the cake.

During the ceremony Minaya commented about her role as a CPO.

"I've had so many great things happen to me, particularly seeing my junior Sailors succeed," said Minaya. "It's a very gratifying feeling when you have the ability to influence them in their lives and see them flourish. Serving as an instructor I was able to see an entry level student flourish into a hospital corpsman."

Navy chief petty officers serve a dual role as both technical experts and as leaders, with the emphasis being more on leadership as they progress through the CPO paygrades.

Chief Hospital Corpsman (FMF) Ryan Faulhaber, a 17-year Navy veteran from Montgomery, Minnesota described what leading by example means to him. "Just seeing my Sailors' successes, seeing them get promoted, and get advanced is the most fulfilling aspect of the job -- watching somebody else succeed is pretty incredible."


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