An enthusiastic singing of "Anchors Aweigh" greeted a gathering of 140 Sailors, civilians, family and friends of Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) who gathered to watch 17 of its Sailors pinned as new Chief Petty Officers Sept. 16, at Vista Point on Naval Station Norfolk.

MARMC's Commanding Officer Capt. Steven L. Stancy presided over the ceremony and thanked the families and friends who helped each Chief make it to this career milestone.

"It's important to remember that these family members, the wives, the husbands, sons and daughters also serve in our Navy," Stancy said. "They are the rock that our selectees relied upon in hard times, and they were there to cheer these selectees on in good times."

Guest speaker, retired Command Master Chief Riccardo Giberti, gave three charges to the new Chiefs: integrity first, uphold standards and take care of your Sailors.

"You have to have integrity - no if's and's or but's," Giberti said. "Don't allow your standards to slip on the way you conduct yourself every day. That's what the people of the United States expect of us. You have to teach (your Sailors) the right way to do things. After that, your Sailors will be OK."

The pinning ceremony is the end of CPO 365 Phase II, a six week intense training program which culminated in an 18-hour strenuous session with the entire MARMC Chief's Mess Sept. 15, according to MARMC's CPO 365 Phase II Chair, Senior Chief Machinist's Mate Jason Pittman. He said that Phase II instills a sense of heritage, professionalism and pride in the new Chiefs.

"During the last six weeks, the new Chiefs have been getting classroom training, physical training, heritage trips, community relations service," Pittman said. "Last night was the capstone event. We put them in situations where they relied on their training, and learned that they can rely on the Chief's Mess for help."

During the ceremony, family members were invited to pin anchors on the collars of each new Chief. Then, each Chief's sponsor placed a combination cover on the new Chief's head. The pinning ceremony is meant to be a visible sign that the new Chiefs have completed CPO 365 Phase II training, understand their new role, and are ready to take on new challenges as a Navy Chief Petty Officer.

"After the last six weeks of intense training, these selectees are now ready to assume their position in the Chief's Mess to be future leaders in the United States Navy," Pittman said.

Stancy echoed Pittman's endorsement.

"I know that the Navy will be in good hands as you step up and take the leadership mantle that is passed to each of you (today)," said Stancy, who gave the new Chiefs a word of encouragement as they enter a new chapter in their careers. "It will all be worth it when your Sailors succeed and they tell you 'thank you Chief.'"

For more news from Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, visit www.navy.mil/.