Senior Chief

The Star

It is the Navy’s intent to impress upon you that challenge is good; a great and necessary reality which cannot mar you - which, in fact, strengthens you. In your future as a Senior Chief Petty Officer you must face each challenge and adversity with the same dignity and good grace you demonstrated to become a Chief Petty Officer. By experience, and by performance, you have been, this day, advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. More will be expected of you; more will be demanded of you, not because you are a E8 but because you are now a Senior Chief Petty Officer. You have not merely been promoted one paygrade, you have joined an exclusive fellowship, and as in all fellowships, you have a special responsibility to your comrades both Junior and Senior, even as they have a special responsibility to you. Your new responsibilities and privileges do not appear in print. They have no official standing; they cannot be referred to by name, number, nor file. They have existed, steeped in tradition for over 100 years. It is now required that you continue to be the fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority in personal relations as well as in technical applications. "Ask the Chief" is a household phrase in and out of the Navy. You are now the “Senior” Chief, a leader of not just Sailors but Chiefs as well. The exalted position you have now achieved - and the word exalted is used advisedly - exists because of the attitude and performance of the Senior Chiefs before you. It shall exist only as long as you and your fellow Senior Chiefs maintain these standards. Your performance has assured us that you will wear “the star” with the same pride as your comrades in arms before you. We take a deep and sincere pleasure in clasping your hand, and accepting you as a Senior Chief Petty officer in the United States Navy.

Author HMCS(DV/PJ/FMF) Chris Cassell