Nine Sailors donned the anchors of chief petty officer during a pinning ceremony held on the flight deck aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), Sept. 16.

Chief Fire Controlman Steven Cooper, Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Michael Bruhl, Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) William Hodge, Chief Information Systems Technician Eric Jackson, Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Terry Waters, Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Anthony Mickle, Chief Gunner's Mate Robert Williams, Chief Intelligence Specialist Douglas Wilcox, and Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Luke Anschuetz were ceremoniously advanced to the ranks of E7 during the ceremony.

After completing six weeks of advanced training (CPO 365 Phase II), the nine selectees officially put on the rank of chief petty officer in the presence of the entire Churchill crew.

"It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders," said Mickle. "The [Phase II] period was an experience I'll never forget, and I'm happy to be moving forward."

The ceremony began with an introduction from Chief Logistics Specialist Jorge Gaitan, who was master of ceremonies for the event. Gaitan announced the arrival of the selectees as they marched onto the flight deck, wearing their new khaki service uniforms with no collar devices or covers.

After the selectees took their place on the flight deck, Cmdr. Paul Allgeier, commanding officer, spoke of the significance of the occasion and the importance of the chief petty officer's role in the Navy.

"This is, bar none, the most significant milestone in any Sailor's career," said Allgeier. "The reason is simple: the chief knows all, and unselfishly devotes himself or herself to the success of the Sailors under his charge, his [fellow chiefs], and his seniors. The chief bridges the gap between the crew and the wardroom by unselfishly serving both."

Capt. Anthony Simmons, deputy commodore, Destroyer Squadron 2, followed Allgeier's words of admiration for the chief petty officer association with his own words of encouragement for the new chiefs.

"It should be your role as a chief petty officer to see that every division officer you lead ascends to become an admiral," said Simmons. "It should be your goal to see every junior Sailor you lead eclipse where you are today. The bottom line is to always aim for the stars."

After a brief speech from Command Master Chief Sean Howe, each of the nine chief selectees marched to the front of the assembled crew to receive their anchors and chief petty officer combination caps. Their chief sponsors placed each of these objects on them.

Each newly-appointed chief walked along a path of honor sideboys, and their arrival was announced before they joined the ranks of their fellow chiefs. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the chief petty officer association sang "Anchors Aweigh" before the crew left their ranks to congratulate the new chiefs on their accomplishment.

"It was an amazing experience to do this ceremony," said Mickle. "I miss my family, and wish they could have been here for this, but I'm glad I was able to be here with the crew. I just want to thank them for all of their support."

Churchill is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, strike operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.

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