The title of chief petty officer (CPO) carries with it a long and esteemed history of excellence, pride and leadership.

Established 122 years ago, the Navy charged CPOs with the great responsibility of leading, training and mentoring Sailors, to ensure they would be ready to carry out their mission when called upon. Chiefs not only embraced the challenge, they created a rich legacy rooted in deckplate leadership and sustained superior performance.

"I feel it's an extreme honor to be a chief, and to lead the future of the Navy is a very rewarding experience like no other," said Chief Operations Specialist Antonio Lindsey. "Our history goes back a long time, and our success is directly attributable to the success of those we have been entrusted to guide and mentor."

Aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99), the chiefs commemorated the day by donning their service khaki uniforms and observing morning colors on the fantail.

"On this day, we celebrate an important date in our Navy's history. In 1893, Navy General Order 409 went into effect, establishing the rate of chief petty officer," said USS Farragut Command Master Chief Martin Roberts. "We are responsible for 100% mission accomplishment, maintaining good order and discipline and enabling the success of our Sailors. Farragut's CPO Mess has over 350 years of combined experience and continues to ensure our outstanding operational performance."

No matter what circumstances they may face or mission they are tasked with, it is widely known among Sailors that should a question or problem arise, all they need to do is "ask the chief," and a solution will be found.

"Since I first entered the service I have heard chiefs referred to as 'the backbone of the Navy,'" said Cmdr. Megan Thomas, executive officer of Farragut. "And each day I spend onboard Farragut, I am reminded about why that is. A great Chief's Mess makes all the difference."

From commissioning day to winning this past year's Battle Efficiency Award, or Battle "E", for overall ship's readiness, each and every chief petty officer aboard Farragut has given freely of his or her time and effort to making sure the ship and crew are mission ready and capable at all times.

Farragut is part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG), which is comprised of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). TRCSG will conduct operations in the U.S. Navy's 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Join the conversation on Twitter and follow us on Facebook.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.c6f.navy.mil.


For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit www.navy.mil/.