Volume 2 : Issue 23 04.01.2012
119 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Blue Ridge Magazine is an authorized publication for Sailors aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of USS Blue Ridge. All news, photos and information for publication in Blue Ridge Magazine must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. Produced by Media Services Ext. 4155 Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Grieco Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ralston Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW/SS) David Unnone Public Affairs Officer Lt. Clinton Beaird LCPO / Chief Editor MCC (SW) Katherine Strom Production Chief MCC (SW/AW) Allen Onstott Lead Magazine Designer MC2 Timmy Wakefield Leading Petty Officer MC1 (SW/AW) Heather Ewton Media Services Staff MC1 (SW/AW) Jerome Foltz MC2 (SW) Aaron Pineda MC2 (SW) Jay Chu MC2 (SW/AW) Steven Khor MC2 (SW/AW) Rafael Figueroa MC2 Joshua Curtis MC3 Colin Sheridan MC3 Cale Hatch MC3 (SW) Alexandra Arroyo MC3 Fidel Hart MC3 (SW) Brian Stone MC3 Mel Orr MC3 James Norman MCSN Kelby Sanders MCSN Michael Hendricks MCSN Ben Larscheid
Pg. 3 History of the CPO Pg. 5 Ask The Chief Pg. 7 History of MCPONs Pg. 9 Meet the Chiefs Pg. 14 Their Anchors Must Shine
Command Master Chief David Unnone
WHO’S YOUR CHIEF? Shipmates, As you can see, this is a special Chief Petty Officers’ Birthday edition of our ship’s news magazine; celebrating 119 years of CPOs and their contributions to our Navy. In addition to the CPO birthday on April 1st, April 2nd marks the official kick-off of the Year of the Chief. The Navy Memorial will highlight Year of the Chief from April 2nd through March 13th, 2013. Events will be held throughout the Navy spotlighting CPOs, and thanks to the efforts of our talented MCs, some of the photos featured in this issue have been selected to be part of the exhibits.
There’s a reason that “Ask the Chief” has become a common catchphrase. Chief Petty Officers are the technical experts. Chiefs are deck plate leaders with the necessary experience to help you be successful. There isn’t a question out there that the Chief’s Mess can’t answer. There isn’t a problem out there that the Chief’s Mess can’t solve. The quickest and easiest way for you to be success ful in the Navy is to look to your Chiefs for their expertise and guidance—we’ve been there, we get it. We in the Chief’s Mess take great pride in our history, our traditions and more than anything, our Sailors.
This issue gives us an opportunity to celebrate CPOs and to get some insight on what being a Chief really means.
I can’t stress to each of you enough, the importance of having a competitive, qualified Navy. If you want to be successful, whether you plan on one enlistment or a 20 year career, look to your Chiefs.
The headline of my column asks the question, “Who’s YOUR Chief?” The answer to that question is simple: EVERY Chief is YOUR Chief.
None of the Chiefs in our CPO Mess would be here today without that kind of mentorship.
Happy Birthday Chiefs!
Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timmy Wakefield
One of the proudest moments an enlisted Sailor may experience is the honor and privilege of being selected for advancement to Chief Petty Officer. All of those years of hard work, sacrifice and proven leadership accumulate into recognition by your peers and senior leadership. Chief Petty Officer is more than a rank; it’s a lifestyle. With this lifestyle you obtain a Navy heritage that dates all the way back, not just to the April 1, 1893 Chief Petty Officer birthday, but back to the Continental Navy when the word ‘Chief’ was introduced into our Navy. The Revolutionary War was the mold for shaping our American Naval heritage. June 1, 1776, Jacob Wasbie was serving on the USS Alfred as a Cook’s Mate when he was promoted to Chief Cook. However, Chief Cook meant the official rating for Ship’s Cook, but it is the first time we introduced the word ‘Chief’ into our Navy, according to the Department of the Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command. The term ‘petty officer’ wasn’t official until the U.S. Navy Regulations approved it Feb. 15, 1853. However, the regulations were declared invalid because President Millard Fillmore approved the regulation instead of Congress. Many years of evolving the rank structure led to the introduction of petty officers when Congress approved the Navy Regulation March 12th, 1863. The petty officer rank structure was born. Petty officers were listed under two categories; Petty Officers of the Line and Petty Officers of the Staff. Sailors who had been in older ratings such as Boatswain’s Mate and Gunner’s Mate reached advancement blocks when they could no longer establish their seniority among the younger ratings. Chief Boatswain’s Mate, Chief Quartermaster and Chief Gunner’s Mate were officially born, yet without proper pay in Navy Regulations in 1863. This is not to be confused with the Chief Petty Officer rank, which hadn’t been created yet. Jan. 1, 1884, new pay rates were introduced for the Chief Boatswain’s Mate, Chief Quartermaster and Chief Gunner’s Mate. With the new pay in place, pay ranged from $35 to $75 a month. Although these rates had the entitlement of chief, they were technically considered petty officers. Jan. 8, 1885, Congress created separate ranks for seaman and petty officers. They became known as third, second or first class seaman or petty officers. The Chiefs were now considered first class petty officers. The pay and entitlements led to the creation of a new rank.
Chiefs, although carrying more responsibility than other first class petty officers, demanded a new realignment of the rank system. Eight years and three months later, April 1, 1893, the rank of Chief Petty Officer was created. Along with the creation of new ranks, pay raises were given to all enlisted members. The chief petty officer rank encompassed nine ratings: Chief Master-at-Arms, Chief Boatswain’s Mate, Chief Quartermaster, Chief Gunners Mate, Chief Machinist, Chief Carpenter’s Mate, Chief Yeoman, Apothecary and Band Masters. Although the Chief Petty Officer rank had been established, many first class petty officers were designated as “acting appointment,” which meant they were given the authority of Chief, but not paid for the title. The reason for acting appointment was to fill vacancies on other ships. These acting appointment chiefs were usually promoted to permanent appointment chiefs after a year. Nov. 1, 1965, acting appointments were dropped from the ranks. The ranks of Senior Chief and Master Chief were created June 1, 1958, under the Career Compensation Act of 1949. Eligibility for Senior Chief required a minimum of 10 years of total service and a four-year minimum as a chief. Eligibility for a Master Chief required a minimum of six years as a Chief Petty Officer with a total of 13 years of service. Fast forward to today and you find a very competitive selection process that begins with a difficult 200-question advancement exam, a long, rigorous selection board process; and it culminates with a six-week induction period for those worthy of wearing the anchors. As we look around at Blue Ridge Sailors and 7th Fleet embarked staff, you will notice our Chiefs wear the gold-fouled anchors with pride. With that pride comes more than just 119 years of tradition; this pride dates back to the beginning of the American Navy, Oct. 13, 1775.
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mel Orr
OUR HISTORY
Compiled by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelby Sanders
it’s or me ngF cy le Chan . It’s chal ave n a i c h er ni Tech etty Offic mpact we ! s m e i t P fs n Sys e a Chief ed and the e our relie o i t a cce orm to b s ar ef Inf ely proud Sailors su he Sailor Senior Chief Machinery Repairman Augustin- During my Navy career i h C r T r Senio ’m extrem seeing ou job done. I’ve learned so many leadership styles, but I can’t say which is best. I g . great rewardin getting the Ironically, I would say all of them! The most important part of being a d ing an t comes to genuine leader is to adapt your style to the situation as well as the Sailors i when that you are leading in a manner that will provide you and your command and the Sailors within it, the results that they are seeking.
fficers hief Petty O nly C h it m S t lis ot o nnel Specia rs. We’re n Chief Perso as the deckplate leade rs and mento ost rs m e re in a fo tr e e rv r’r e s ereby prepa xperts, we e th , l a fs ic ie n h h C c future the te pidly rs grow into ors one day in a ra o il a S g in lp il he Sa lead their erior Navy. ing them to e and technically sup ivers changing, d
Master Chief Machinist’s Mate Belantes - It was a very emotional moment; a sense of relief and one of the greatest accomplishments of my Navy career! It was all from the Sailors that have supported me. My wife of 13 years and my Navy veteran father pinned on my anchors.
Master Chief Information Systems Technician Gillilan The pride I have in being a Chief is simply in the accomplishments of my Sailors and helping young Sailors grow and mature into the future of our Navy.
Master C bilities hief Quarter master are to Sm e objecti ves, tak nforce Navy ith - The Ch i e care of Sail policies, ach ef’s responsi ors and ieve co carry-o mman d n tradit ion.
Chief Inf c of ormation haracteristi y c e n O a m b z a ru z g c in in g and hum Systems Technic Dela lead “ t s f li o ia c ian Salo le e b p ip istics S the princ e right comes when m ling. The greatest p - It’s pre th is t t e s s o Chief Log m to ride I hav tty y Sailors ant like rt I o o p t u a u im ts th m ta e e ry b n ip excel or eing a Ch ding wor ve m to is e th it r leadersh f, fo ie k a ie d h r n they do f e recog llow a As a C ght and see all th Sailors to fo howed them is the ri e wonder . I am humbled w nized for the example.” r e g n u o y ful people h r the ou s I get to le en I look around example fo se they know what y e Navy. a r n u from ever th ca yday. late you be become successful in to o d to g thin
Senior Chief Yeoman Borba - Being a Chief Petty Officer brings with it the responsibility of being THE example of the highest moral standards, professionalism, decisive leadership and sense of mission accomplishment to all Sailors. A Chief Petty Officer will do anything it takes to ensure Sailors’ success and the mission is accomplished. We do not waiver in our leadership or in the carrying out of standards; we are THE standard!
PG. 12
Their Anchors Must Shine Story, page design and photo illustrations by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart
T
he fouled anchor's (line or chain wrapped around anchor) history began as the seal of Lord Howard of Effingham in 1588. Lord Howard was the Lord High Admiral of England at the time. The U.S. Navy's adoption of this symbol and many other customs can be directly attributed to the influence of British Naval tradition. The fouled anchor is among them according to Chief Religious Programs Specialist Tshombe Harris. “The anchor was adopted initially as the marking of the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in 1959,” said Harris. “Although the fouled anchor was first used as a cap device in 1905, the current anchor design was implemented after the rankings of E-8 [Senior Chief Petty Officer] and E-9 [Master Chief Petty Officer] were created in 1958.” Harris said part of the reason why the anchor was chosen is based on an anchor's symbolism as a foundation. “A Chief is the foundation and guidepost for setting standards, as well as the epitome of what leadership is. The Chief has always been seen as the model of expertise. It was an easy choice choosing the anchors
because anchors are used for steadying ships, holding them into place: that's why Chiefs are known as the backbone of the Navy.” Unlike any other U.S. military rank insignia for E-7’s, the gold-fouled anchor device a Navy Chief Petty Officer wears uniquely identifies the wearer's service – U.S.N. The “USN” stands for Unity, Service and Navigation. The “USN” symbolizes the unity of the CPO Mess, the service to one's god and country and the navigation that the Chief is expected to provide each Sailor, each Navy ship and the entire Navy. Said Harris, “We are united as a CPO Mess. We provide service to officers- our seniorsas well as our junior Sailors. We navigate our junior Sailors to the future.” Like many rank insignia, Chief Petty Officer anchors are made of metal. Ask a Chief and they will tell you the anchors must shine more brightly than other collar devices. Sailors need to spot and find them quickly in times of need and emergency. The anchors will be cried on, bled on, muddied and crudded, but once buffed, they shine as beacons of leadership for the crew to follow.
PG. 14
LEADERSHIP CALL TO ACTION
MISSION
Provide leadership to the Enlisted Force and advice to Navy leadership to create combat-ready Naval Forces.
VISION
A senior enlisted force that serves first and foremost as Deck-plate Leaders committed to developing Sailors and enforcing standards; Remains responsive, aligned and well-connected to both Leadership and Sailors; and conducts itself in a consistently professional, ethical and traditional manner
GUIDING PRINCIPLES DECK-PLATE LEADERSHIP
Chiefs are visible leaders who set the tone.
PROFESSIONALISM
Chiefs will actively teach, uphold and enforce standards. We will measure ourselves by the success of our Sailors.
CHARACTER
Chiefs abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, take full responsibility for their actions and keep their word.
SENSE OF HERITAGE
Chiefs will use heritage to connect Sailors to their past, teach values and enhance pride in service to our country.
INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Chiefs will use experience and technical knowledge to produce a well-trained enlisted and officer team.
LOYALTY
Chiefs remember that loyalty must be demonstrated to seniors, peers and subordinates alike, and that it must never be blind.
ACTIVE COMMUNICATION
Chiefs encourage open and frank dialogue, listen to Sailors and energize the communication flow up and down the chain of command.