Chief petty officers, chief selectees and retirees comprised more than one thousand people who spent the day in downtown Jacksonville at the Metropolitan Park, celebrating their heritage and coming together for a little friendly competition, Sept. 9.

The event marked the second annual Chief Petty Officer Pride Day, where chiefs and chief selectees from the Jacksonville area, including commands aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, coordinated with the city of Jacksonville to demonstrate their pride and heritage.

At this year's CPO Pride Day, attendees had a special guest: Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael Stevens.

"I thought at first when I came here that it was going to be the Jacksonville and Mayport area chief petty officers, but what I found out is that we have folks from all over the state of Florida and Georgia here," Stevens said. "I want you to know that the chief petty officers I see before me today are the best chief petty officers that we have ever put in the field."

The day began with the chief selectees marching to the Veteran's Memorial Wall while singing "Anchors Aweigh." Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Mary Jackson spoke about chief petty officers, before she removed her Navy Working Uniform blouse, surprising the crowd by representing the Chief's Mess in a CPO Pride Day 2015 T-shirt.

"They are part of my leadership DNA and part of the goodness, part of the strength and part of what kept me and keeps me motivated every day," Jackson said. "And you are all exactly that, and you should be very proud."

The crowd then walked to the Metropolitan Park, where the selectees participated in a physical training competition, including push-ups and sit-ups, a friendly game of tug-of-war, and a cadence competition. They were also judged on best command coin and best guidon.
The CPO Pride Day gave the chiefs a chance to interact with the new chief selects, according to MCPON.

"Those already serving as chief petty officers get a chance to spend time with the selectees, just talking with them, and imparting the things they have learned, so the chief selectees' wisdom will increase and their ability to lead will increase along with that," Stevens said.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Southeast, visit www.navy.mil/.