Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) Command Master Chief (CMC) Matthew C. Laing was piped ashore for a final time after more than 30 years of Naval service during a traditional retirement ceremony in the Recruit Memorial Chapel at Recruit Training Command (RTC) here, April 18.

Laing, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and the CMC for Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), was also previously CMC for Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Navy's only boot camp. He also served at RTC a number of other times as a recruit, student, instructor and Recruit Division Commander (RDC).

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to help me bring my career to a close after 32 years," Laing told the hundreds of Sailors, family members and friends. "Some of you might have shown up just to make sure I'm actually leaving, but, yeah, today it's over."

The ceremony was attended by many chief petty officers, including CPOs from the NSTC and RTC Chief's Mess, one of the Navy's largest, as Laing thanked many that came into his life and reflected on his career and the years serving at sea and on shore.

"As I leave the Navy, I'm a far better person for having served. Today is a great day for me and my family as I transition from the Navy on our own terms," Laing said.

Rear Adm. Mike Bernacchi, NSTC commander, and a member of the official party gave the opening remarks.

"When you are in a street fight, the master chiefs will always have your back, both figuratively and literally. I had no better ally, no better counsel, and no better friend than my CMC. You will be so sorely missed."

Capt. Eric H. Venema, director of air warfare for Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force in Norfolk, Virginia, reflected on Laing's retirement with mixed emotions.

"On one hand we gather to celebrate a friend's career and exceptional performance and dedicated service. On the other hand we feel a certain melancholy and a sense of loss for a valued leader, shipmate and brother warrior is leaving our ranks. So retirement ceremonies are time for reflection, a time to look back and evaluate the qualities we admire in our leaders, our shipmates and our friends," said Venema.

Venema was the commanding officer at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, reporting there in 2011 when Laing was the CMC. He remembers his first visit with Laing.

"I first met Master Chief Laing during my turnover as the perspective CO of NAS Lemoore. After a small turnover with the outgoing CO, I was struck with a bit of pre-game jitters. I fell back on what I knew and walked down the hallway and into his office. I plopped myself down into a chair next to the door and said 'hey master chief, I'm Captain Venema, nice to meet you.' He said, 'hey sir, I'm Master Chief Laing' and we hit it off right away. I quickly realized that without the continuity of leadership that men like Master Chief Laing provide us we'd be lost," Venema said.

"I also realized the strength of character that men like Command Master Chief Laing bring to the command triad and without that (strength) success is unachievable."

Rear Adm. Bernacchi presented Laing with a Meritorious Service Medal. He received letters of appreciation from President Trump, both Presidents Bush (George H. W. and George W.), the Governor of Texas, (he grew up in San Antonio), the Governor of Illinois, the state where he served his last two commands, and he was presented with a letter of congratulations from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steve Giordano. Laing was also surprised with a "Shadow Box" Sea Chest from his wife, Warlita, and the NSTC Chief Petty Officer's Mess.

The ceremony also included a flag folding where an American Flag was properly folded 13 times by Chief Fire Controlman Dustin Pankonein and Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Marvin Vinluan and the "13 Folds" explained by Master Chief Gas Turbine System Technician Robert Vowles. There was also a flag passing ceremony where a folded American Flag is passed from each rank in Master Chief Laing's career. The poem "Old Glory" was read by Chief Culinary Specialist Matt Susienka. The flag flew above The Alamo in San Antonio, Fenway Park in Boston, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, The Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, RTC and Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. Laing then handed the flag to his wife. The CPO Retirement Creed was recited by retired Command Master Chief Chuck Hood and "The Watch" was read by retired Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) Troy Davidson.

During his speech, Master Chief Laing touched on numerous successes he has had in his career. Most of the successes, according to him, are the Sailors he has mentored and lead over the years, including the thousands of recruits he transitioned from civilians to Sailors at RTC. One of his proudest achievements may be one of his last -- the improvements and changes to the curriculum at the Navy's only boot camp, RTC, to make new Sailors tougher and better prepared to join the fleet.

"Every great RDC (Recruit Division Commander) or instructor that served here (at RTC) has always wanted the changes we are now doing to the curriculum. Thank you very much admiral (Bernacchi) for helping me realize those changes and I can think of no better way to leave the Navy knowing these changes are being made under your leadership. Thank you for involving me in it and asking for my advice. You have my personal number, so if you ever need some under the radar advice, Matt Laing is always at your disposal."

Master Laing graduated from James Madison High School in San Antonio, Texas, in May 1986. After graduation, he reported to Recruit Training Command in San Diego in July 1986. Upon completion of basic training, he attended Aviation Structural Mechanic (Structures) "A" School at the Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training in Millington, Tennessee. In January 1987, he completed his initial training pipeline by attending F-14A practical job training in Naval Air Station Miramar, California, with VF-124.

His assignments include Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) onboard USS Constellation (CV 64) and USS Independence (CV 62); Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 50 (VRC-50, Sea Component) at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philippines, and Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) Guam. He was also assigned to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Five (HC-5, Sea Component) at Andersen AFB, Guam, and to RTC Great Lakes, Illinois.

He was selected for the Command Senior Chief Program in January 2007. In May 2007, he was promoted to Master Chief and reported to his first Command Master Chief tour on board the mine countermeasure ships USS Impervious (AM 449) and USS Avenger (MCM 1) in June 2007. In August 2009, Master Chief Laing reported as the Command Master Chief of Naval Air Station Lemoore. His next Command Master Chief assignment was with Carrier Air Wing 17 onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) from August 2012 to October 2013. From November 2013 to November 2015 he was the Command Master Chief of RTC Great Lakes. He reported to NSTC also on Naval Station Great Lakes in November 2015.

For many, leaving something you have been doing for 32 years can be emotional. Master Chief Laing was no exception as emotions swept over him a few times during the ceremony. Those emotions were evident at the end of the ceremony as Master Chief Laing was piped ashore for a final time and walked through a sea of khaki with his wife and son as CPOs lined both sides of the aisle and out the door of the chapel in a farewell salute.

On the back of his retirement program, Master Chief Laing left these words by President John F. Kennedy for everyone, "I can imagine no more rewarding a career. Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, 'I served in the United States Navy.'"

Bernacchi and his NSTC staff support 98 percent of initial officers and enlisted accessions training for the Navy. This includes the Naval ROTC at more than 160 colleges and universities; Officers Training Command (OTC) on Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island; RTC; as well as Navy JROTC/ Navy National Defense Cadet Corps.

For more information about NSTC, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/ or visit the NSTC Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/NavalServiceTraining/.

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