Naval Station Rota, Spain welcomed 29 Sailors and an Air Force master sergeant to the chief petty officer (CPO) ranks during a pinning ceremony held at the base theater, Sept. 16.

The Rota chiefs are among the approximately 2,000 Navywide Sailors who were selected to join the khaki-clad ranks of enlisted leaders. The new chiefs came from the naval station, U.S. Naval Hospital Rota, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella, Italy Site Rota, Navy Environmental and Preventative Medicine Unit 7, the 725th Air Mobility Squadron and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa.

"One of the proudest days, if not the proudest, in a Sailor's career is the date in which a [petty officer first class] shifts colors to khakis and anchors and is accepted into the chief petty officer community," said Chief Legalman Zandee Galang, master of ceremonies. "It is with great reverence that we witness this time-honored ceremony which culminates a very memorable six weeks."

"I would like to offer my personal congratulations to each of the 30 men and women standing before us," said Capt. Mike MacNicholl, commander, U.S. Naval Activities Spain. "You have succeeded in enduring rigorous, yet necessary training these six weeks. You have been challenged both physically and mentally, and each of you responded with determination and vigor. Today's ceremony represents not the end of a journey, but the beginning. There will be heavy responsibility placed upon your shoulders. Embrace it. You are more than ready; you wouldn't be here if you were not."

Naval Station Rota's new CPOs are:

Chief Hospital Corpsman Abigail Barrera
Chief Logistics Specialist Meibol Kushiyama
Chief Hospital Corpsman Alyssa Hernandez
Chief Master-at-Arms Whitney Cloke
Chief Yeoman Omari Lewis
Chief Construction Electrician James Carmesin
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Radames Martinez
Chief Information Systems Technician Danny Suarez
Chief Master-at-Arms Moshe Bryant
Chief Builder Jason Gant
Chief Logistics Specialist Carlos Argueta
Chief Information Systems Technician Henry Matthews
Master Sgt. Jonathan Hollenbeck
Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Albert Richards
Chief Hospital Corpsman Armando Leija
Chief Hospital Corpsman Benjamin Murphy
Chief Master-at-Arms James Sprools
Chief Master-at-Arms Randall Sapp
Chief Equipment Operator Brian Morrison
Chief Hospital Corpsman Javier Palacios
Chief Hospital Corpsman Jorge Castilleja
Chief Hospital Corpsman Phillip Mishaga
Chief Information Systems Technician Maurice Hill
Chief Master-at-Arms Joseph Churan
Chief Gunner's Mate Furnie Wilson
Chief Builder John Watters
Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Karl Sowinski
Chief Machinist's Mate Darrius Parker
Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Nathan Hale
Chief Steelworker Kenneth Barbour

After the new CPOs were pinned, Naval Station Rota's Command Master Chief Michelle Brooks read the CPO Creed to emphasize the importance of the role of the chief to those in attendance, and to drive home the added responsibility and higher expectations that come with the rank and position of CPO.

"Your entire way of life has now changed," said Brooks. "More will be expected of you. More will be demanded of you. Not because you're an E-7, but because now you're a chief petty officer. You have not merely been promoted one pay grade; you have joined an exclusive fraternity."

The CPO training process is a longstanding tradition unique to the Navy, but service members from other military branches can request to participate. If they successfully complete the training, they are recognized as a genuine chief petty officer. The pinning ceremony culminates after six-plus weeks of intense training, transformation, and testing known as CPO 365 Phase II. Afterward, participants are accepted into the U.S. Navy Chiefs Mess, a new position of leadership, and responsibility.

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.

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For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit http://www.navy.mil/.