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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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Edited 9 y ago
I'm not a Chief, so I defer to the opinions of they that have earned the title. As a former officer, I do feel that there's an expectation that "The Chief" is a sailor's sailor...someone who has, through the combination of hard work, endurance and experience, proven that they are an expert to be consulted, trusted and respected. This always seemed most apparent when months into a deployment, with systems breaking down, morale low, and much of the crew thinking more about home-port than the job...the Chief was there doing it right, the first time, without complaint. No junior enlisted can question them because they've stood the long watches, handled lines in freezing rain, slept in cramped berthings, and managed to advance despite the challenges aboard and at home. No wise officer will question their acumen by virtue of the fact they did all of that and more, accepting ever increasing levels of responsibility, earning their right to lead over years of lessons learned. When I see that anchor, I see someone who has "been there", will defend discipline and good order...through tough means when required. We all have "initiation" rituals...most are not politically correct, entirely "safe", or edifying. They are "rites of passage" and have an intrinsic value...I think it's best that those who've endured them are the one's who elect to revise them. The MCPON is certainly the one in the proper place to do so. However, I hope "PC" and the "kinder, gentler, more political" military does not dispense with everything that sets us apart from other organizations.
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LTC Hbpc Physician Assistant
LTC (Join to see)
9 y
Bravo.
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CPO Joseph Grant
CPO Joseph Grant
9 y
I think we've gotten way too PC over the years.
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
9 y
Good job. Thanks
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MCPO Roger Collins
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When the E-8/9 rates were originally added to the CPO ranks, it was meant to lighten the load for junior officers and WOs. Eventually, they just became another promotion. Then in their infinite wisdom, here comes a more senior position (still E-9) to provide guidance to we poor fleet Chiefs. Since we had political advocates, all is good. Right? WRONG, we now have a politician that bows to the wishes of the CNO, and the administration PC agenda. As to the tradition, if one were to look up the definition, the CPO initiation definitely qualifies. It is a right of passage that I went through and will never forget. It seems that all that differentiates the rates anymore is the uniform change and they are screwing that up too. MCPON's are like any other sailor, just with a little more influence, so to speak. MCPON Herdt was supportive of the practice.

Anyone who truly understands the CPO Mess knows that ending the process would be devastating to
the Navy. Many believe the most important thing the CPO transition process accomplishes is bringing
the CPO selectees into the Mess. It does do that very well, but the process also does something much
more important. It is what we do at the same time each year, across the entire Navy, when we don
“the hat” and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow CPOs. It is when, not uncommonly with a
tear in our eye, Chief Petty Officers recommit and rededicate themselves to the ideals of being a Chief.
Those ideals, contained in the Chief’s Creed, are read at every pinning ceremony every year.

Stop the CPO transition process? I think not. However, the evolution of the process was and will
continue to be necessary so that we never lose it. Surely, without this process it could be argued
we would not have the CPO Mess of today that’s held in the highest esteem by everyone inside and
outside our Navy

MCPON(SS/SW/AW) Jim Herdt USN(Ret)
9th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
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PO2 Nick Burke
PO2 Nick Burke
9 y
Yes but that's not PC.......
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
9 y
LT Tom Baillie - Not sure what that has to do with tradition. If you're an Academy grad I'll bet you have been a party to some tradition's we would think are a bit strange. It's our tradition and the Navy will not be the better for this action.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
9 y
Morale and esprit de corp never goes out of style. Not everything is tangible. It meant alot to most sailors advancing to CPO and joining an August group in the goat locker. Unless that is gone.
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PO1 Aaron Baltosser
PO1 Aaron Baltosser
9 y
I made board 4 years in a row before I retired, the first 4 years I was eligible as an HM1 I can tell you personally the induction process was something my peers and I discussed with excitement. We stood ready at that point to step into a much bigger role. While I was not selected, and had to depart at my high year tenure, I hold no grudges. Were I more competitive I would have been there. My friends, some of whom were selected for the promotion changed because of the induction. They became better Sailors when they had already been solid. They exuded confidence. Although I had known them at a lesser rank, after the process I felt like they had always been a Chief. It was obvious to me, there is something powerful and very positive that occurs to Sailors that go through it. I hope they don't force it to stop, and lower the Navy readiness even further. Just my two cents.
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Not unlike how watered down Shellback initiation has become...
PO1 Robert Shore
PO1 Robert Shore
9 y
PO2 Brian Rhodes - me too
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PO1 Robert Shore
PO1 Robert Shore
9 y
PO1 Robert Shore - still being a wog and my father is a Shellback sometimes still remind me that I'm not. He'll pull out his little shell back card from his wallet and go oh that's right you don't have one of these do you. Thanks dad
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PO1 Robert Shore
PO1 Robert Shore
9 y
My father was a snipe in the Korean War on the USS Wisconsin. We are going next weekend on an Honor Flight to the Korean War Memorial. Is 82 so is time to do stuff like this for him. He has some really good sea stories. I need to sit down with them and record a bunch of them so they don't go away when he makes his final muster.
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PO1 Robert Shore
PO1 Robert Shore
9 y
PO1 John Miller - if it was powdered eggs and powdered milk mix together the hot sauce would be an improvement.
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