More than 100 chief and first class petty officers from five Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces commands aboard U.S. Naval Base Guam attended a leadership-training course facilitated by the U.S. Pacific Fleet's (PACFLT) chief petty officer training team at the base's chapel, Feb. 23 and 24.

The eight-hour course, coordinated by Commander, Task Force 75 (CTF 75), was designed to teach and refresh senior enlisted leadership how to properly and efficiently utilize good order and discipline, leadership techniques and ethics in the work place.

"[Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy] Stevens, several years ago, identified that we don't get formalized leadership training within the senior enlisted ranks as often as we should," said Command Master Chief Jason Knupp, PACFLT course facilitator. "So we come out to the fleet on an 18-month circuit to every command to reset the senior enlisted leaders on what they should be doing for the missions of their command and to enable their Sailors' success."

The first day of the course was arranged for new and seasoned chief petty officers who may or may not have participated in the course before.

"The training was a great refresher for chiefs and really drove home some good points about where we came from and where we are headed," said Senior Chief Utilitiesman Ron Wark, a course participant. "I don't think there is an organization in the world that puts as much time into constant improvement efforts than the U.S. Navy chiefs."

During the second day of the course, first class petty officers covered the same topics, discussions and groups exercises as the chiefs a day prior.

"I really enjoyed the openness of the training," said Electronics Technician 1st Class Billy Andrews, a course participant. "People were able to speak freely, which allowed for a lot of good discussion, talk-back and ideas for giving our junior Sailors all the opportunities we can."

Chief and first class petty officers assigned to CTF-75, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 (Seabees), Coastal Riverine Group 1, Detachment Guam, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 1 and Mobile Unit 5 all participated in the training course.

"Sometimes as leaders, we just get caught up in daily life," said Command Master Chief Jeffrey Steinly, PACFLT course facilitator. "In a class like this, we had 53 first class petty officers and 48 chief petty officers with a tremendous amount of knowledge. They really seemed to come out of the course more energized with a renewed sense of duty to perform their functions as senior leadership."

For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.c7f.navy.mil/.