Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) gathered on the mess decks to celebrate the 126th birthday of the chief petty officer, March 31.

On April 1, 1893, Navy General Order 409 established the rank of chief petty officer. Today, the chief serves as a technical expert and leader, and is recognized as the backbone of the Navy.

Newly-commissioned junior officers and Sailors across the fleet often receive training from chief petty officers during their indoctrination into the Navy.

"Every new officer and enlisted that enters the Navy, the first person they meet, their first trainer, is always the chief,” said Capt. Ronald Dowdell, Boxer’s commanding officer. “I will even extend that to commanders; the first confidant to make sure you’re on the right road is your [command master chief].”

For more than 100 years, the chief has adapted to a changing Navy and a changing world, but through it all they still maintain a connection to the rich heritage that came before them. 

“I’m proud to be a part of an elite bond of brothers and sisters bounded by trust, tradition, and heritage,” said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Brenda Flores. “I try to remember as one of the chiefs, I wear a title that will remain eternally connected to the day the rank of chief was formed.”

To some, attaining the rank of E-7 is just a promotion, but to a chief, donning the anchors means much more.

“More is expected of me, not because I am an E-7, but because I am a chief,” said Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Justin Rodriguez. “As a chief, you are expected to be the fountain of wisdom and know every question a Sailor has. I may not know all the answers, but I know I can find the answer in the Chief’s Mess.”

Boxer is underway conducting routine operation as a part of USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

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