Thirty-seven Training Support Center (TSC), Surface Warfare Officers School Command Unit (SWOSU), Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU), and Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving (CEODD) Sailors were pinned chief petty officers (CPOs) at Ross Theatre, Sept. 16.

The chief pinning ceremony is part of a longstanding tradition to honor and recognize the years of hard work and service Sailors have given to the U.S. Navy.

"Today, along with the past six weeks of CPO 365 training -- especially the last 24 hours with our chief selects -- has been an exciting and inspiring time," said TSC Command Master Chief Jeffery Kirby. "This is a very important time for them and their families as they move forward in their Navy career. This year's group is as good as any group that I have been with in the 15 years I've been doing this. I'm immensely proud of them."

Sailors advanced to CPO include:

TSC

* Chief Gunner's Mate Rico Baker
* Chief Electrician's Mate Carlos Colmenares
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Jesus Gonzalez
* Chief Culinary Specialist Naomi Goodwyn
* Chief Master-at-Arms Felecia Houston
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Marcus Santos
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Stephen Tackett
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Neil Walker
* Chief Personnel Specialist Danielle Young

SWOSU

* Chief Machinery Repairman Brian E. Barr
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Aaron Bilal
* Chief Damage Controlman Darryl Carter
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) Robert Dragstedt
* Chief Engineman James Gallagher
* Chief Engineman Hedwig Gidharry
* Chief Engineman Ethan Gross
* Chief Machinist's Mate Greg Harris
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) Rajbeer Kuhllar
* Chief Machinist's Mate Joel Lemerond
* Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) Przemyslaw Lesniewicz
* Chief Engineman Darren Manick
* Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Glen Soucy
* Chief Electrician's Mate Michael Williams

CSCSU

* Chief Gunner's Mate Robert Bixler
* Chief Gunner's Mate Shane Creaton
* Chief Fire Controlman Kevin Daniels
* Chief Boatswain's Mate Brandon Foor
* Chief Fire Controlman Micha Fullen
* Chief Boatswain's Mate Cedric Howard
* Chief Electronics Technician Jeffrey Johns
* Chief Electronics Technician Carlton Lawrence
* Chief Boatswain's Mate Derek Montgomery
* Chief Fire Controlman Esteban Reyna
* Chief Gunner's Mate Sean Rounds
* Chief Electronics Technician Daniel Saramaha
* Chief Electronics Technician Matthew Williams

CEODD

* Chief Navy Diver Shawn Cooley

The ceremony marked a major accomplishment and admittance to an important community in the Navy.

"Being in the Navy, the only branch that recognizes the difference between [petty officer first class] and chief petty officer's paygrade, uniform and responsibility jump; the step that they took today can be compared to a promotion to senior-level management position in a company," Kirby said. "I'm immensely proud of them."

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