Nearly 5,000 new CPOs join the mess at pinning ceremonies | Navy Times

HAMPTON, Va. — The Navy celebrated its new crop of chief petty officers on Friday. In crisp, new khakis, 4,765 sailors were pinned with their anchors as the collective chiefs mess welcomed them into the Navy's proudest ranks.

Between all three service components, 22,232 first class petty officers were considered by the active, FTS and reserve selection boards. Combined, an average of 21.4 percent of those sailors moved up into the khaki ranks Friday.
At the Hampton, Virginia, convention center’s grand ballroom, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (IDW/SW) Steven Giordano welcomed the 57 selectees from the precommissioning unit of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford into the chief's mess.
At the Hampton, Virginia, convention center’s grand ballroom, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (IDW/SW) Steven Giordano welcomed the 57 selectees from the precommissioning unit of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford into the chief's mess.
As the Navy’s top enlisted, he told the selects to never take their selection to chief petty officer for granted and to reflect on their anchors and the responsibility that comes with them every day they wear them.

“Never forget how heavy your anchors are, and what they require of you,” he said. “As a chief you must be current in your knowledge of all things Navy — in order to be an enforcer of standards as a chief, you must become the expert … as the chief, you have the duty to educate and train your sailors, not just in the Navy, but in life. Listen to their struggles, and coach them to the decision that is best for themselves.”