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Navy's newest chiefs pinned in SW Asia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bryan Swink
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The inaugural Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony was held at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 14, 2012, where five of the Navy's newest chiefs joined the ranks of the senior enlisted.

As the posting of the colors and National Anthem came to an end, the chief selectees were ordered onto the stage where they proudly sang the Navy fight song, Anchors Aweigh. Following this time-honored tradition, they recited the Navy creed in front of an audience of more than 200 fellow Navy, Air Force and Army service members who were there to recognize this significant accomplishment.

"Navy chiefs are the foundation of the Navy," said Rear Adm. (sel.) Deborah P. Haven, Central Command Joint Theater Support Contracting Command chief of staff. "These new chiefs have taken on an incredibly difficult task, but an incredibly rewarding challenge."

Leading up to the ceremony, the five selectees went through a six-week training period where they received guidance on the importance of leading by example, exercising teamwork and demonstrating humility.

The Sailors honored in the ceremony were Naval Air Crewman Operator Aviation Warfare Chief Jason Lacey; Logistics Specialist Surface Warfare Chief Shaun Mestres; Aviation Ordananceman Surface and Aviation Warfare Chief Jose Salas, Jr.; Yeoman Aviation Warfare Chief Shawna Houser; and Aviations Electronics Technician Surface and Aviation Warfare Chief Charles Chadwick.

"This means the world to me. Ever since I enlisted in the Navy 11 years ago, this has been a goal I've been working hard toward," said Chief Aviations Electronics Technician Surface and Air Warfare Charles Chadwick, deployed from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. "It was great to see service members from all branches of service here supporting us."

This important event is one Navy leadership hopes will continue for years to come here at the 379th AEW.

Since 1893, the Chief Petty Officer's Pinning Ceremony has been one of the Navy's most time honored events, commemorating the complete transition from first class petty officer to chief petty officer.