September 20, 2013
SOUTH POTOMAC PILOT NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUTH POTOMAC DEFENSE COMMUNITY
Upcoming Event: Congressman Wittman to host Town Hall on NSF Dahlgren
By Andrew Revelos Staff Writer
Naval Support Activity South Potomac celebrated the promotion of 10 new chief petty officers at a Sept. 13 pinning ceremony at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center. Shipmates, friends and families saw the new chiefs make an impressive entrance as they marched into the auditorium singing “Anchors Away.” The ceremony concluded six weeks of intensive training and preparation. Dr. Harry Kantrovich, a retired master chief petty officer with 23 years of Navy experience, was the guest speaker. “It’s wonderful to be back in Dahlgren, Virginia,” he said. “This has always been one of my favorite bases and I thank you for allowing me the opportunity and honor of addressing the Navy’s newest chief petty officers.”
Chief petty officers receive their new covers at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center on Sept. 13. Kantrovich spoke about the significant challenges faced by the Navy in the last generation-the Gulf War, the bombing of USS Cole, 9/11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Many things have changed. but the expectation of the chief remains a constant, the expectation that the chief is a leader,” he said. “By becoming a chief, you are doing far more than pinning on the anchors and donning the new cover. You’re ac-
cepting new responsibilities and privileges that only the Navy allows. In the words of the creed, more will be expected of you, more will be demanded of you.” Life for the new chief petty officers, said Kantrovich, would never be quite the same. “Your entire way of life has changed. All of us across the Navy and across the country salute your courage and commitment as our Navy sails into its 238th year in defense of our
U. S. Navy photos by Andrew Revelos
Newly-promoted chief petty officers sing “Anchors Away” at their pinning ceremony Sept. 13 at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center, Naval Support Facility Dahlgren. nation. Today we celebrate your membership in an elite and select fraternity that for nearly 120 years has stood for leadership, experience and loyalty. Today, we celebrate the dawn of your new naval life in the accomplish-
ment and recognition you so richly deserve. No one knows better than you that it won’t be easy.” There are challenges and rewards ahead for the new
See Chiefs, Page 4
Wreath laying at Navy Memorial to honor victims
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Congressman Rob Wittman will host a town hall for base employees and contractor personnel at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren’s Base Theater on Monday, Sep. 23, at 4:15 p.m. Wittman represents the region - Virginia’s 1st Congressional District - in the U.S. House of Representatives. He chairs the Readiness Subcommittee for the House Armed Services Committee. The congressman will be available to talk with the base workforce, to field any questions about sequestration or the budget, and to hear employees’ concerns or challenges.
New Chiefs pin on anchors
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Arif Patan
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, right, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus, and Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff render honors during a wreath laying ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial. The ceremony was in honor of twelve people killed in Building 197 at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday during a workplace shooting. FREE CLASSIFIED ADS FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES E-mail nsasp_pao_dlgr@navy.mil or Call (540) 653-8153