The Chiefs Mess aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) held a cake-cutting ceremony, April 1, in celebration of the 122nd birthday of the chief petty officer.

The rank of chief petty officer (CPO) was established April 1, 1893, and since that time Navy chiefs have been known as the "backbone of the Navy."

"The reason we're viewed as the 'backbone of the Navy' is because we hold everything together," said George H. W. Bush Command Master Chief David Carter. "We keep the Navy aligned and on course, pointing in the right direction. The officers lead, but we're the ones who train and develop them so they lead well."

At every Navy cake-cutting ceremony, it's tradition to have the oldest and youngest Sailors present cut the cake together. During this year's CPO birthday, Master Chief Electrician's Mate Kevin Cox and Chief Fire Controlman Clifford Maass had the honor of representing the oldest and youngest chiefs aboard.

"The reason for this tradition is to show the gap between generations," said Cox. "The gap not only in age, but also in wisdom and experience. As chiefs, it's our job to train the Sailors beneath us to take the reigns when we retire. This tradition symbolizes us passing the torch on to the younger generations who will be replacing us one day."

Making chief in the Navy is a milestone for many Sailors. According to Senior Chief Ship's Serviceman Roger Waldo, only about five percent of those in the Navy achieve the rank of chief. Waldo was stationed aboard USS Vicksburg (CG 69) when he earned his anchors.

"The day that I actually put on anchors, I cried," said Waldo. "Going through indoctrination, everyone says if you put on these anchors and you don't tear up, you're not human. I said 'I'm not going to cry.' But in the end I did."

According to Carter, being a chief means having the opportunity to serve the Sailors beneath him.

"Chiefs are servant leaders," said Carter. "Our job as chief petty officers is mission success through the success of our junior Sailors. We measure our success on how well they do, so to be in that kind of role is both amazing and humbling."

George H.W. Bush is currently underway conducting training exercises in the Atlantic Ocean.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/.