Chief Pinning Ceremony

Story and photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs

NSA Souda Bay held its FY21 Chief Pinning Ceremony at The Anchor Jan. 29, commemorating the promotion of five new chiefs: Chief Information Systems Technician Sharonica Burnom, Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand, Chief Master-at-Arms Danny Royer, Chief Electricians Technician Daniel Sharp, and Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey.

During the ceremony, Chief Air Traffic Controlman Cameron Collier read the Chief Petty Officer's Pledge and Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Daniel Hemingway read the poem Anchors of the Chief.

Following the pinning of the new chiefs, Command Master Chief Brian J. McDonough welcomed them into the mess and read the Chief Petty Officer Creed.

Christopher Williams, NSA Souda Bay’s airfield manager and a retired Navy Master Chief Air Traffic Controller addressed the new chiefs and the NSA Souda Bay family.

Williams said a chief holds many responsibilities: always being ready for challenges, leading junior Sailors and guiding junior commissioned officers. “Today I expect each of you to always be ready, ready to avoid surprise (in) whatever form it may present itself. But also, if we are surprised, that you rise to the occasion and respond accordingly because we all will be counting on you as the chief … Please, don’t forget those Sailors past and present who have played a role throughout your successful career. Reach out and say thanks … Take care of our Sailors by continuing to lead, guide, train and mentor them as you have done thus far. Remember, officers are Sailors too. Again, shipmates, congratulations and welcome to the mess.”

Chief Information Systems Technician Sharonica Burnom

Chief Information Systems Technician Sharonica Burnom, a native of Houston, has been in the Navy for 11 years and 9 months and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 years.

Burnom will depart NSA Souda Bay for the guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113), assuming the role of combat systems chief. Her duties will include taking care of all information systems and message traffic aboard the ship.

Burnom said being a Navy chief means impacting her Sailors' lives in a positive manner.

“Being a Navy chief is no longer about me. It's always been about the Sailors, being able to see them progress and see their successes,” said Burnom.

Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand

Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand, a native of New Brunswick, N.J., has been in the Navy for 14 years and at NSA Souda Bay for a year and a half.

Ferdinand is the Air Operations Department training chief, keeping track of his Sailors' training, making sure they are conducting on-the-job training properly and that they are receiving their air operations qualifications.

Ferdinand said his Sailors have helped him become a Navy chief, and that "now it is my turn to give them the resources that they need to replace me one day."

Ferdinand said he will make certain his Sailors, "understand what they are here for and that they are recognized for the good work that they do.”

Chief Master-at-Arms Danny Royer

Chief Master-at-Arms Danny Royer, a native of Lyndon, Ill., has been in the Navy for 12 years and at NSA Souda Bay for one year.

Royer is the Security Department’s Charlie Section chief, conducting administrative work, making sure his Sailors are receiving awards and their security qualifications, and that the watch bills are made.

Royer said being a Navy chief means being there for his Sailors by giving them a voice while making sure everything comes together to support the mission.

“Being a chief means setting the example, doing the right thing, so our Sailors ... know what to do (and) what to look for," said Royer. “To be that guidance to help them grow both professionally and personally. Also, to hold them accountable when we need to.”

Chief Electronics Technician Daniel Sharp

Chief Electronics Technician Daniel Sharp, a native of DeMotte, Ind., has been in the Navy for 13 years and deployed at NSA Souda Bay 4 months.

Sharp is a member of Special Boat Team 20, providing combat service and technical support to his unit. He said his new role will be grooming and mentoring junior Sailors.

Sharp said being a Navy chief means, “having that vast network of the brothers and sisters in the mess. To reach out no matter what (is needed) ... somebody is going to have the answer.”

Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey

Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, has been in the Navy for 13 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 11 months.

Storey is the senior enlisted advisor for Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Detachment Souda Bay where he mentors Sailors, liaisons for the technical director and ensures the installation’s telecommunications are operating smoothly. He trains junior Sailors to become qualified for future assignments around the Fleet.

Storey said that becoming a Navy chief means taking care of the future generation of the Navy.

“[It means] making sure that we have a sense of heritage, making sure that we actually lead from the front and continue setting the standard day in and day out,” said Storey.

NSA Souda Bay's new chief petty officers stand with the chief's mess in front of Building 1 following the pinning ceremony on Jan. 29.