Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 welcomed 24 new chief petty officers (CPO) into the Chiefs Mess during a ceremony at Drexler Manor on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Sept. 15.

The 24 new chiefs, among 4,400 Navywide, are assigned to EOD Mobile Units (EODMU) 2, 6 and 12, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit (EODTEU) 2, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, and EOD Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 2.

One new chief was unable to attend the frocking due to helping those affected by Hurricane Irma. Chief Logistics Specialist Jason Ryan, assigned to EODESU 2, was frocked in a special ceremony aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Sept. 16.

Capt. Josh Jackson, commander of EODGRU 2, who is serving as the maritime command element of Combined Task Force (CTF) 181, supporting federal, state and local authorities in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, sent a congratulatory message to the new chiefs, delivered by Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Roger Martin.

"To the new chief petty officers, I wanted to take a moment today to congratulate you on your promotion and let you know that although I couldn't make it to today's ceremony, the entire command is very proud of you and thankful for your service," Jackson said. "I'd also like to recognize your families and the support they have provided you to get you to this point."

Jackson reflected on the increased responsibilities for the new chiefs.

"As I contemplate the impact CTF 181 has had in Key West, it struck me how much I have depended on the Chiefs Mess to ensure we were able to execute the task force commander's intent in a communications-denied environment," said Jackson, referring to the conditions in Key West. "We provided relief alongside fellow Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard teammates supporting federal, state and local agencies. The maturity, leadership and ability of our chiefs to adjust under ambiguous and complex environments on the ground ensured mission success for the task force. I am thankful to be your teammate and congratulate you all on this significant accomplishment. I know that you are up to the task."

Following the reading of Jackson's remarks, the Navy's newest chiefs marched to center-stage and received their gold anchors and combination covers from family, friends and peers.

The advancement to chief petty officer is a tradition that is unique to the Navy. The pinning ceremony is the culmination of more than six weeks of intense training, transformation and testing known as CPO 365 Phase II.

"Over the last six weeks, my fellow selectees and I have gone through a series of trials and tribulations to become chief petty officers," said Chief Navy Diver Dave Cannon, a newly frocked chief assigned to MDSU 2. "I joined the Navy 16 years ago, and I was lucky enough to have a series of chiefs that stood out and mentored me. To finally don the gold fouled anchors is a huge honor. As I become a chief, I look back at the lessons that they taught me and will strive to impress those lessons on the Sailors that I will lead in the future."

Upon completion of the frocking, Command Master Chief Ryan Burton, command master chief of EODMU 12, recited the CPO creed, a tradition that details the duties and responsibilities that come with the title of chief.

"Your new responsibilities and privileges do not appear in print," Burton said. "They have no official standing. They cannot be referred to by name, number, nor file. They have existed for over 100 years. Chiefs before you have freely accepted responsibility beyond the call of printed assignment. Their actions and their performance demanded the respect of their seniors as well as their juniors. It is now required that you be the fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of goodwill, the authority in personal relations, as well as in technical applications. 'Ask the chief' is a household phrase in and out of the Navy. You are now the chief."

EODGRU 2, headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS), oversees all East Coast-based Navy EOD mobile units, including one forward-deployed mobile unit in Spain, as well as EODESU 2, EODTEU 2 and the only East Coast-based mobile diving and salvage unit, MDSU 2.

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