Six Sailors aboard submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) earned the title of "chief" during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony Sept. 16.

The ceremony followed a six-week training period known as CPO 365 Phase II, which began immediately after CPO advancement results were released. During Phase II, senior enlisted leaders introduced selectees to challenges designed to strengthen their leadership skills and to provide a better understanding of what it means to be a Navy chief. Phase II also included training on the history and traditions of the Chiefs Mess, tough physical challenges, mentorship and many other responsibilities.

Capt. Drew St. John, Frank Cable's commanding officer, said during the ceremony they should be proud of the hard work they did to reach this point in their career, and should be very proud of this accomplishment.

"In your charge books, I gave you a list to guide you as you step out on this new journey," said St. John. "Now, I challenge you to use that guide as you go forward and change the lives of innumerable Sailors, those future chief petty officers, who will one day relieve you."

Frank Cable's Command Master Chief Paul Sweeney told the newly-pinned chiefs this is a special day they will remember for the rest of their lives with fond memories, and he knows this transition is nothing like anything they have done in their careers.

"As you step into your new role as the chief, it will require you to continue to grow as a leader," said Sweeney. "It will present you with challenges; it will test your abilities and it will try your patience. It will also be tremendously rewarding. Chiefs are always training their replacement. You must be working to groom the next generation of chief petty officers to ensure they are ready to carry on the legacy that today you'll become a part of."

After being pinned with their gold fouled anchors, each chief received a combination cover signifying a new position of leadership and responsibility.

"I was told numerous times that this wasn't going to be an easy process," said Chief Master-at-Arms Carlos Slade, a native of Tifton, Georgia. "Today, with the help of the mess during the past six weeks, I feel more confident and able to be a better leader -- to be the chief."

Frank Cable is one of two forward-deployed submarine tenders and is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to conduct maintenance and support of deployed U.S. naval force submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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