The pinning ceremony represents a 129-year tradition in the Navy, serving as the culmination of a rigorous six-week training period, starting with the day the chiefs find out they are selected until the day they pin their anchors on.

“This is a rigorous process,” said NAS Oceana Command Master Chief De’Andre Beaufort. “These chiefs tested themselves throughout this season to become better leaders and better Sailors. This pinning is only the beginning of the responsibility that comes with being a chief petty officer.”  

Family, friends, and shipmates gathered to take part in the ceremony, pinning anchors on the collars of each new chief and placing their new chief covers on each of their heads. 

Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Petty Officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer make up the Navy ranks E-7 through E-9. Chiefs are regarded as masters of their rates and act as a bridge between officers and junior enlisted. 

“Achieving the rank of chief petty officer is an incredible accomplishment,” said Captain Bob Holmes, NAS Oceana’s commanding officer and the presiding officer for the ceremony. “We count on our chief petty officers to use their experience to lead our Sailors and to accomplish our mission objectives. Naval aviation will benefit every day from their contributions and the impacts they make on each Sailor they encounter.”

For more information about the rank of chief petty officer visit Chief Petty Officer (navy.mil).