Surface Warfare Officer School Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes boasted 13 petty officers first class who were selected for promotion to chief petty officer, according to a Navy message released Aug. 4.

"These Sailors have been promoted because of their expertise," said Cmdr. Eric Williams, commanding officer of SWOSU Great Lakes. "Their hard work and significant leadership capability has brought them to this point. Now they will join the Chiefs Mess and become a part of the backbone of the United States Navy."

For petty officers first class, being selected as chief is a major goal in their careers.

"Everyone who was selected was surprised to learn of the news," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class James Aldridge, staff at SWOSU Great Lakes. "We are also humbled that leadership has chosen us to take this huge step in our career. Joining the Chiefs Mess is a great responsibility that we honorably accept, and we are eager to take on the challenge."

The full list of petty officers first class who were selected for promotion to the rank of chief petty officer is as follows:

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class James Aldridge
Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) 1st Class Jonathan Burg
Machinist's Mate 1st Class Eduardo Carrasco
Machinist's Mate 1st Class Jeffrey Collado
Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class Christopher Ewigman
Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) 1st Class Brandon Faison
Engineman 1st Class James Karnes
Engineman 1st Class Jeffrey Kohn
Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class Allen Littleton
Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class Jovon Leonard
Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) 1st Class Stephanie Megie
Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Joel Nevins
Engineman 1st Class Sean Thomas

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For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit http://www.navy.mil/.