Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain held a frocking here, June 7.

In a time-honored ceremony, 69 NSA Bahrain Sailors were frocked to the next rank, including senior chief petty officers, and petty officers first, second and third class.

Frocking is the military tradition of advancing service members to the next rank prior to the effective date of rank - more commonly known to military members as the date of pay for the new rank. Frocking a Sailor is a sign of the commander's confidence for the Sailor to begin executing the duties of the new rank.

"NSA Bahrain is us," said NSA Bahrain Commanding Officer Capt. Darren Guenther. "Each and every one of you plays a huge part in this. I want to say thank you for all the hard work you've done."

Guenther continued to say to the Sailors who were hoping to be frocked, but didn't quite make it this time, to keep working hard. He expects to see them next time around. Promotion to the next rank involves several variables for every Sailor: awards, evaluations, and test scores. The promotion percentage varies within each rating, but for a Sailor to be competitive, good evaluations and test scores are a must.

Guenther encouraged the Sailors who didn't quite make it this time to put in a little extra effort over the next year to get them over the goal line of the next frocking.

When asked what guidance he would give to junior Sailors who had just been frocked to petty officer third class and may be looking to the Chiefs Mess for guidance, Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Hancock, who had just been frocked to his new rank said, "Take the responsibility, and don't take it lightly."

Hancock, who has been in the Navy 21 years, has already enlisted for three more and said he felt very excited about being frocked.

He went on to say, "Keep on pushing, take care of your junior Sailors, [and] push your knowledge to them."

Petty Officer 3rd Class Antonio Foust, a yeoman in NSA Bahrain's administrative department, said being frocked to made him feel "very excited, humbled, and thankful for this opportunity."

Foust had recently been awarded a Navy Achievement Medal for his work achieving good scores for several events and inspections for NSA Bahrain. He's been in the Navy for two years, and in his next assignment he'll be working for Naval Supply Systems Command in Yokosuka, Japan.

When asked what he would tell Sailors new to the Navy about how to excel, where he was two years ago, Foust said, "Everything you want is attainable, but it doesn't come easy. You have to work hard. You have to study has much as you can to get the score you need on the advancement exam. You have to push yourself and dominate your work space, so you can get that good eval that will push you over the edge [to promotion]."

Breaking out, especially in highly-competitive ratings, is tough. Sailors must set themselves apart "through good paper," or the record composed of a Sailor's awards, evaluations, and advancement exam scores. To advance, a Sailor must distinguish himself or herself through above-average evaluations or exams, or both. With the help of mentors like Hancock and Foust, Sailors can reasonably find they are in control on their destiny. They can work hard to get the good evaluation, study hard to get the good exam score, and then be ready to promote.

"Frocking is very important, because Sailors assume the title and responsibility of the next higher pay grade," said Master Chief Petty Officer Jaime Gainey, the Naval Security Force Bahrain senior enlisted leader. "There's always greater responsibility out there in this big family we call the Navy. We can't settle. Always lean forward; apply pressure to your leadership. Ask your leadership questions. Ask hard questions. Challenge us to find you an answer. Keep charging."

Gainey is an experienced leader with 27 years of naval service. In 1990, he joined the Navy as an undesignated fireman, and after nine months took the rating exam to become a hull maintenance technician (HT). Due to downsizing of the HT rating, Gainey took a break in active service and cross-rated to serve as a steelworker (SW) in the Navy Reserve. After 9/11, he attended master-at-arms (MA) "A" school, cross-rated to MA, and returned to active duty. Today, he's serving as a senior enlisted leader and as a real-life example of success to hundreds of Sailors.

Chief Warrant Officer David Sledge, a Navy veteran of 30 years and a chief gunner's mate prior to commissioning as a warrant officer, said, "You have to stay humble. No matter how much rank you make or how many accolades you get, stay humble. And do your best. Put your best foot forward."

Frocking is a major milestone in the career of every Sailor.

Congratulations to each frocked Sailor, and as said, "We now also have increased responsibilities. So don't take it lightly; take it to heart."

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