Twenty-four Sailors from Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT); Commander, Submarine Learning Facility (SLF); five attack submarines; and two pre-commissioning unit (PCU) attack submarines donned khaki uniforms and combination covers for the first time Sept. 16.

SUBLANT and SLF chief petty officer selectees joined those assigned to Los Angeles-class attack submarines USS La Jolla (SSN 701), USS Helena (SSN 725), USS Albany (SSN 753), USS Boise (SSN 764), Virginia-class attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785), PCU Indiana (SSN 789), and PCU Delaware (SSN 791) for a pinning ceremony at MacArthur Auditorium, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk.

The chiefs' pinning ceremony is a tradition unique to the Navy, which dates back to 1893, when the chief petty officer pay grade was created. The ceremony signifies a new position of leadership and responsibility for the Navy.

"You are the biggest advantage the Navy and submarine force has," said Vice Adm. Joseph Tofalo, commander, Submarine Forces, the ceremony's guest speaker. "We encourage 'deckplate leadership;' today each of you are now a part of that foundation ... of those deckplates."

In the Navy the breadth of responsibilities assumed by the chief petty officer are not contained in any manual and are not outlined in any instruction.

"I expect officers to fight the ship," said Tofalo, "but chiefs to run the ship. I charge you to know your people, lead by example, and always enforce the standard. It is simple, but it is not always easy."

During the ceremony, family members and friends pinned on two gold fouled anchors to the newly-appointed chiefs' collars and the Sailors' sponsors or chief mentors placed combination covers on their heads.

"This moment has been 17 years in the making; I honestly thought I would retire from the Navy as a [petty officer first class], and to have been chosen for promotion to chief is nothing short of an honor," said Chief Electronics Technician Alvin Larkins. "I am grateful. My wife has always been proud of my service, but when she found out I was selected she was overjoyed, knowing the hardships our family has endured because of my job have been recognized.

"I want to thank your families for their tireless service and tremendous sacrifice," said Tofalo. "Because of them you stand before us today. I am proud to call each of you shipmate!"

After the ceremony the newly-appointed chiefs posed for photos with their families, friends and guests as chief petty officers of the United States Navy.

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