Naval Forces Central Command CMC Reflects on 30 Years of Service
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100131-03
Release Date: 1/31/2010 10:51:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aramis X. Ramirez Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said goodbye to their command master chief after a retirement ceremony Jan. 26.
Command Master Chief Scott Weaver served in the Navy for three decades.
Weaver enlisted in the Navy as a sonar technician (submarines) and advanced to the rank of chief petty officer in eight years. He noted that the most significant part of his career was acting as a mentor to junior Sailors.
"After 22 years, you go through a lot of [chief petty officer] transition seasons and some of those chiefs come back and say, 'Master Chief, I remember at my transition, induction or initiation you talked about this. This was the standard you told us to set,'" Weaver said. "And they come back to me eight, 10, 12 years later and remember me. When that happens, you know you've made an impact on someone's life. That's probably the biggest accomplishment I think that anybody can give another sailor in the Navy."
In the spirit of mentorship, Weaver said the key to deciding to retire is being financially ready and those who wish to do the same should have a plan in place and stick to it.
"You don't have to serve 30 years to be ready," he said. "But when the time comes for you to move on, ask yourself if you have the money. If not, don't leave and make a plan to leave, stick to it and save your money. It's challenging, but worth it."
One of the biggest advantages available to the Sailor today, Weaver explained, is the opportunity for further education. Having earned two associate degrees through the Navy's Tuition Assistance program, Weaver said he plans on using the GI Bill benefits when he separates.
"Any Sailor who finishes even one enlistment, six years or so, that has not taken advantage of educational programs and has not gotten a good start on either an associate's degree or a big chunk of their bachelor's, I think they are throwing away a valuable benefit," he said.
Weaver served at 15 different commands more than 21 years at sea.
"I look forward to the future and will always remember my rewarding time in the Navy."
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.
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