Navy mass communication specialists from around the globe gathered at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) on Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, June 30, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the MC rating.

On July 1, 2006, four Navy media ratings - photographer's mate (PH), journalist (JO), illustrator draftsman (DM) and lithographer (LI) - were merged, establishing the mass communication specialist, or MC, rating.

Chief of Information (CHINFO) Rear Adm. Dawn Cutler congratulated the MCs on 10 years of continued excellence, in a written statement, which was read by Lt. Cmdr. Cynthia Fields, DINFOS Navy Element commander.

"I am incredibly proud of what you all have accomplished in these past 10 years," Cutler's message read. "Your creativity and your ability to communicate - to tell compelling Navy stories - amazes me. Your professionalism, your dedication to the Navy mission, and love for the craft is evident by all who see your work. Keep setting the course and the pace. Happy 10th anniversary MCs."

Retired Master Chief Mass Communication Specialist Terry Cosgrove, who served as the senior enlisted advisor (SEA) to CHINFO at the time of the MC merger, served as the event's guest speaker. He gave words of advice to the next generation of mass communication specialists.

"To the MCs that are in attendance, those of you that are in school and working your way through the system, you're about to embark on the greatest journey of your life," said Cosgrove. "I would highly recommend that you have some kind of a recording device with you at all times, because you'll be a witness to the greatest stories, and you're the ones that are tasked with recording that. It's really a rare and privileged opportunity to be the person that gets to see that from the inside and record those stories and put them out so that the audience - which is the American public - can see them."

Master Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jon McMillan, CHINFO's current SEA, spoke about of the rating's enduring importance to the Navy.

"Throughout time, no matter what technological revolution occurred, humans have relied on stories to teach, motivate and inspire," said McMillan. "So, no matter what happens in the near or far future, the Navy will always need talented storytellers. The tools may change over time. The focus of our efforts may also change, but the need for the story does not. So happy anniversary MCs. Continue to find, tell and share incredible stories, push the boundaries of our tools and our craft, and I can't wait to see what you all will do with the next 10 years."

When then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen made the announcement of the rating merger in 2006, it brought together knowledge and talent from thousands of Sailors into one rating.
PHs led in the visual arts. Their images hang on walls in government buildings across the globe. JOs served as writers and the original Navy news anchors, videographers and radio DJs. That colorful, detailed image of your command crest was most likely designed by a DM. From layout to print to the production of mission essential forms, air plans, flight packs, plans of the day, and qualification booklets, the LI was responsible. Today, the MC does all this and more, and will continue this legacy of excellence into the future.

For more information of the 10th anniversary of the MC merger, visit the event Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MC10Year/?fref=ts