Twenty Naval Station Rota Sailors were frocked to the next higher pay grade and had new petty officer insignia pinned to their collars during a frocking ceremony June 5.

The Navy tradition to frock a Sailor is an opportunity for them to wear their new petty officer insignia and take on the responsibilities that come with their promotion before they are formally advanced.

Capt. Michael MacNicholl, Naval Station Rota commanding officer, acknowledged each Sailor with a handshake and certificate of advancement and shared a few words to family, friends and colleagues.

"It's always good to see Sailors promoted and I'd like to congratulate these fantastic young shipmates here today," said MacNicholl. "You don't just get here on your own accolades. You get here through teamwork with your shipmates. It's critically important because being in the Navy is a team sport."

Eleven second class petty officers and nine third class petty officers were frocked during the ceremony, held under the Housing Department pavilion.

MacNicholl's statement about teamwork rang true in the responses Sailors gave about why they felt they were selected for advancement.

"I wouldn't be up here today without everyone at my department supporting me," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Bianca Sweetser. "I've learned a lot from my shipmates and it feels amazing."

"The people that I work with would constantly challenge me with studying or other ways that helped me to get advanced," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Elysia Michaud. "My shipmates were definitely my biggest motivators to getting advanced because they encouraged me every day."

Frocked Sailors are authorized to wear their new rank on their collars but will not receive the respective pay until their official date of advancement at one of three pay increments throughout the fiscal year. Greater responsibilities and expectations, however, may be assigned to them as soon as immediately after the frocking ceremony.

The Sailors frocked to second class petty officer were Engineman 2nd Class Christopher Aiello, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Sidireda Drissi, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Anthony Falcone, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Riley Feland, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Matthew Garza, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Natalie Hasbrouck, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Matthew Jackson, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Dakota Koziol, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Richard Lewis, Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Angelica Smolinski and Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Bianca Sweetser.

The Sailors frocked to third class petty officer were Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Zachary Babin, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Giovanni Garciasalas, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Cedrico Johnson, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Cilana Mendoza, Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Elysia Michaud, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Brigham Murfee, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Justice Rosario, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Ty Smittle and Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Anthony Whitesanders.

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.

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For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/.