Twenty-one new chief petty officers (CPOs) were pinned during a ceremony aboard aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Sept. 16.

The ceremony concluded CPO 365 Phase II, a training period that began following the announcement of the CPO advancement results, Aug. 3.

"[CPO 365] is a learning process," said Senior Chief Quartermaster Henry Nicol, from Hemet, California. "There's a lot of training on how to be a chief ... on being humble and being a leader."

Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock, commander, John C. Stennis Strike Group, spoke at the ceremony, congratulating the new chiefs and welcoming them into their new roles.

"These young men and women have been promoted to this rank because of their expertise," said Hitchcock. "They've also been promoted because of their significant leadership capability and as they join the Chiefs Mess, they become a part of the backbone of the United States Navy. I look forward to watching you take on your new rank, and especially watching you take on your new duties and responsibilities as a United States Navy chief."

During the ceremony, family and friends of the new chiefs pinned gold fouled anchors, the rank insignia of CPOs, on their uniforms and their sponsors during CPO 365 Phase II placed chief combination covers on their heads.

"It's something you only do once, so it's something that you'll never forget," said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Robert Hodor, from Lillington, North Carolina. "I'm excited for what the future holds."

The new chiefs aboard John C. Stennis are:

Chief Hospital Corpsman Elizabeth Barraza
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Brandon Flynn
Chief Machinist's Mate Michael Fogle
Chief Machinist's Mate Patrick Heinig
Chief Machinist's Mate Douglas Herold
Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Randy Hicks
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Robert Hodor
Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Scott Howard
Chief Culinary Specialist Richard Jacobs
Chief Machinist's Mate William McKinley
Chief Machinist's Mate Luke Myers
Chief Machinist's Mate James Phelps
Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) Alastaire Randle
Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Korinne Reese
Chief Electronics Technician Tyler Sabo
Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) James Scott
Chief Operations Specialist Sean Shenefelt
Chief Master-at-Arms Eldis Vazquezflores
Chief Machinist's Mate Brandon Wheeler
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Alexanna Williams
Chief Logistics Specialist Nicholas Winkler

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