Five Sailors joined the chief's mess when their anchors where pinned on, culminating years of hard work, and the final phase of their Chief Petty Officer (CPO) 365 program, Sept. 16.

CPO 365 is a year-long training program facilitated Navy-wide for first class petty officers (FCPO) in preparation for becoming a chief petty officer (CPO).

"CPO 365 is the key to our success as a CPO mess in bringing our FCPO to the forefront of what being a deckplate leader is all about," said Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center Command Master Chief James Stuart. "During Phase 1, which runs from September 17 to the day the results are released, we work with all FCPO on topics ranging from how to write evaluations and awards for our junior Sailors to the CPO selection board process and many other topics in between."

According to CPO 365 coordinator, Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman John Gleason, Phase 1 is advantageous for the chiefs as well. "The instructions and policies that we cover during Phase 1 are constantly changing; not only does it teach the FCPO the current policies, but it refreshes our understanding."

Phase 2 starts the day the CPO results are released via NAVADMIN (Naval Administrative) and continues until the newly selected chiefs are pinned on Sept. 16.

"Phase 2 is an enlightenment phase," said Gleason. "It gives us the opportunity to pass on some of the knowledge and experience of what we have learned from our time as a chief to each selectee."

Upon completion of Phase 2, the chief selectees are celebrated, and pinned by friends, family, or their mentors.

"Being selected for CPO is the culmination of the hard work and dedication a Sailor has given to our Navy," said Stuart. "The day a FCPO removes his or her first class rank insignia and is pinned with the golden anchors of a chief, their life changes. We all celebrate their promotion; especially when those they have worked for and led become more proud, and their families swell with pride at their accomplishment."

For more news from Naval Air Station Fallon, visit www.navy.mil/.