Twelve Naval Surface Force Atlantic Sailors advanced to the rank of chief petty officer (CPO), donning new combination covers and fresh khakis during a pinning ceremony at Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT), September 15.

The son of a master chief petty officer, Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson, Jr., commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT) provided remarks at the ceremony, which was the culmination of a training period called "CPO 365," (Phase Two).

Throughout this period, the chief selects were faced with challenges designed to strengthen their leadership skills and instill a greater sense of pride in their new rank.

Wilson noted the significance of today's ceremony and the importance of CPOs.

"We have the greatest Navy on the planet, our asymmetric advantage will always be our Chief's Mess," said Wilson. "We will win and be successful because of the leadership and talent of our people."

The pinning ceremony is a tradition unique to the U.S. Navy and dates back to 1893, when the chief petty officer paygrade was established. During the ceremony, family members, friends and loved ones were invited to pin two gold anchors on each newly appointed chief's uniform and place combination covers on their heads for the first time, the new uniforms representing their new career milestones.

Wilson reminded the new chiefs of their obligation to train and mentor their reliefs.

"I am proud and I am humbled, I never thought I would make it here," said newly-pinned Chief Operations Specialist Marquies Riddick, of the guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Thomas Hudner (DDG 116). "I'm looking forward to training others. I want to share the excitement I am feeling right now with others."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the new chiefs were congratulated by their fellow Sailors and now, their fellow chiefs.




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