• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Chief Petty Officers Celebrate 117 Years

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100402-02
Release Date: 4/2/2010 6:47:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (EXW) Jennifer A. Villalovos

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) and the United States Navy Memorial held a commemoration ceremony for the 117th anniversary of the establishment of the rank of chief Petty Officer on April 1 including a wreath-laying at the Lone Sailor statue.

"Our wreath-laying ceremony here in Washington D.C. serves as the cornerstone for many similar ceremonies throughout our Navy, as chiefs' around the world celebrate their contributions to our nation and fellow countrymen and women by renewing their dedication to the principles of honor, courage and commitment," said retired Fleet Master Chief (AW/SS/SW/PJ) Mike McCalip, master of ceremonies.

More than 400 chief petty officers gathered at the Navy Memorial in their khaki uniforms and combination covers to show their pride and honor and celebrate the proud tradition of the chiefs mess.

"We're celebrating the pride we should feel every time we overhear one of our Sailors say, 'Ask the chief.' Above all, we're celebrating the chief petty officers tremendously proud heritage that we've spent 117 years building," said MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West.

Joining MCPON to celebrate the birthday of the chief petty officers were Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, retired Rear Adm. Edward K. Walker Jr., president and CEO of the Navy Memorial Foundation and Deputy Chief of Chaplains Rear Adm. Mark Tidd, and former MCPON (SS/SW/AW) Jim Herdt.

"I was inducted as an honorary Chief at the Naval Academy last month and in addition to it being one of the highest honors of my life, I am thankful I am now allowed to say happy anniversary to my fellow chief petty officers as one of you," said Mabus.

CNO spoke of the importance of the chiefs' leadership and the difference they are making in the lives of our great Sailors.

"I will never forget my first chief and I know I am not alone in that sentiment," said Roughead. "Like so many Sailors, I too can say that a chief not only showed me the ropes at sea, a chief changed my life."

After the ceremony, West stopped by Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects to the first MCPON Delbert Black. Black served in the Navy from 1941 to 1971 and became the first MCPON on Jan. 13, 1967. Black died March 5, 2000, at 77 years old.

"MCPON Black took care of Sailors at a time when our Navy had no idea what or who a MCPON was, and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the anniversary of the chief petty officer with spending time with my fellow chiefs and paying tribute to the first master chief petty officer of the Navy," said West.