Forty-six servicemembers from area commands donned anchors and combination covers for the first time during a ceremony held at the Fort Meade Pavilion, Sept. 16.

Family members and loved ones joined chief selects from U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet (FCC/C10F), Navy Information Operation Command Maryland (NIOC MD), U.S. Cyber Command, an the Defense Information School for the momentous occasion.

Vice Adm. Mike Gilday, commander, FCC/C10F, addressed the tremendous responsibilities awaiting the new chiefs, but assured them they were prepared.

"You are here today because of a course you charted long ago - your compass has served you well - but this is not a destination," said Gilday. "Continue on with your journey shipmates; learning, leading with character, and honing your professional expertise. Your Sailors will expect and accept nothing less."

The ceremony marked the end of CPO 365 Phase II training.

"After training and mentoring these Sailors for the past six weeks, it was exciting watching them become chief petty officers," said Command Master Chief Dee Allen, command master chief for FCC/C10F. "They have reached a milestone in their career that many never achieve. The anchor that they now wear comes with pride, humility and integrity. They should be proud of what they have accomplished."

This promotion means more than just a pay raise for these Sailors.

"I learned so much going through this process. I think the biggest difference between being a chief and being an E-7 is knowing that you're part of the chief's mess; that I always have my fellow chiefs to rely on," said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Networks) Matthew Steck, a native of West Jordan, Utah, and assigned to NIOC MD. "This was a humbling experience. I learned so much about myself and I'm honored to wear these anchors."

In addition to the Navy Sailors who received anchors on Friday, two Air Force master sergeants were formally welcomed into the Fort Meade chief's mess. Master Sgt. Emily Mandarich, assigned to U.S. Cyber Command, and Master Sgt. Daniel Padro received anchors and donned combination covers after participating in and completing CPO 365 phase II training.

The rank of chief petty officer was established on April 1, 1893 for the U.S. Navy. Congress first authorized the Coast Guard to use the promotion to chief petty officer on May 18, 1920.

U.S. Fleet Cyber Command serves as the Navy component command to U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Cyber Command, and the Navy's Service Cryptologic Component commander under the National Security Agency/Central Security Service. Fleet Cyber Command also reports directly to the Chief of Naval Operations as an Echelon II command.

U.S. 10th Fleet is the operational arm of Fleet Cyber Command and executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders. In this role, C10F provides operational direction through its Maritime Operations Center located at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, executing command and control over assigned forces in support of Navy or joint missions in cyber/networks, information operations, electronic warfare, cryptologic/signals intelligence and space.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.