YOKOSUKA, Japan - Forty-four new chief petty officers (CPO) were welcomed in to the Chief’s Mess during a pinning ceremony at the Fleet Theater at Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka (CFAY) on Sept. 14.

The new CPOs represented a variety of commands at CFAY.

Their journey from first class petty officer to chief began approximately six weeks ago with the release of Navy Administrative Message 232/12, the results of the Navy E7 Selection board for fiscal year 2013. The names on this list are known as ‘chief selectees.'

After approximately six weeks of specialized training conducted by chiefs, senior chiefs, and master chiefs, the chief selectees were frocked at the pinning ceremony.

The pinning ceremony’s Master of Ceremonies Chief Quartermaster Ingram Jansen said, “Although the pay grades (E-7 thorough E-9) are equivalent to those in the other services, the Navy is unique in that it confers much more authority and responsibility on the chief while demanding more performance and results than any of the other services. Even the uniform is changed. The chief is required to be a fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority on personnel relations, as well as the technical expert.”
Newly-frocked Navy Chief Counselor (SW) Antonia Brown, a command career counselor from CFAY, had her anchors pinned on by her husband, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nick Brown, from the 374th Operation Support Squadron, Yokota Air Base, and her eldest daughter, Sophia.

“The feeling is indescribable,” said Antonia. “It’s something that a lot of sailors have dreamed about for a long time that I dreamed about for a long time. The day has finally come.”

Nick said that this ceremony was something that he’s been waiting for along time. “To actually see the pinning ceremony, to see the Navy heritage and the history behind the ceremony, and actually put her anchors on, it was beyond words.”

The Browns both said that (chief’s induction and pinning) this is something that they’ve discussed for a long time. “So when it finally happened, the majority of it he already knew. He’s been with me every step of the way,” Antonia said.

Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Andrew Steiner, from Commander, Naval Forces Japan, has been in the Navy just under seven years and made chief on his first try. Steiner thanked the mess, those he’s worked for and those that he worked in the past for their support.

“It’s a great feeling, almost beyond words. Getting pinned, getting covered today is a great honor.”

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, seven master chiefs (from various CFAY commands) read, to the newly-frocked chiefs from the CPO Creed telling them, “Your entire way of life has now been changed. More will be expected of you; more will be demanded of you. Not because you are an E-7, but because you are now a Chief Petty Officer. You have not merely been promoted one pay grade. You have joined an exclusive fraternity - and, as in all fraternities, you have a responsibility to your brothers - even as they have a responsibility to you.”