USS PENSYLVANIA/USS ALABAMA

Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony

16 September 2002

1530 - Arrival of guests and participants

1545 - Ceremony begins:

MMCS GREEN:

"Welcome to the Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony for USS PENNSYLVANIA and USS ALABAMA. At the podium across from me is Dave Chmielewski, Chief of the Boat, USS ALABAMA Blue, and I am Brad Green, Chief of the Boat, USS PENNSYLVANIA Blue."

ETCM CHMIELEWSKI: "Here on deck are the Navy's newest Chief Petty Officers. Today they are joining a proud and strong, 109-year-old tradition of Chief Petty Officer leadership in our Navy. Their advancement has been well-earned, and we are proud to welcome them to our ranks. I will now introduce our new ALABAMA Chief Petty Officers and their sponsors, from your left to right we have:

• ETC RICHARD PETTY
• Standing behind him is his sponsor, ETC Brent Woolard.
• ETC DARREN PRIMMER
• Standing behind him is his sponsor, ETC Chris Guay.
• ETC CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN
• Standing behind him is his sponsor, ETCS Robert Ensley.

• MTC CHAD WRIGHT
• Standing behind him is his sponsor, MTC Mike Sanchez.

MMCS GREEN:

I will now introduce the USS PENNSYLVANIA's newest Chief Petty Officers. Continuing down the line we have:

STSC QUINN ANDERSON

• Standing behind him is his sponsor, ETC Scott White.
• MMC SHAWN LEWIS
• Standing behind him is his sponsor, MTCS Sam Sommerville.

The sponsors stand behind their selectees as a symbol of our support and welcome into the Chief's Quarters. They have successfully guided their charges through the challenging last few months and stand with them today as they join our ranks.

(Dave - as you are pinning yours I will leave my podium and pass flowers, etc. to your sponsors as they are ready)

ETCM CHMIELEWSKI:

Chief Select Richard Penny, one step forward, MARCH.

Danielle Penny, and Chief Tony Hines - will you please join Rich on deck for the pinning of his anchors. These anchors have a unique history. Rich was previously stationed at a deep submergence unit - and these anchors have been carried with honor by ICCS Mike Subrich to ocean-floor resting places of both the USS THRESHER and USS SCORPION. Chief Hines, please assist Danielle in pinning them in place. Chief Penny, remember who you now are, you must wear these anchors with pride and behave in a way that will always protect them from any dishonor or stain.

(continue after pinning)

Danielle, the ALABAMA Chiefs and your husband present you these flowers as a symbol of our appreciation. His success would not be possible without you.

(Sponsor points Danielle and Chief Hines towards their seats - continue as they are leaving)

Chief Select Darren Primmer, one step forward, MARCH.

Karen Primmer, will you please join Darren on deck. These anchors are a gift of the Chief's Quarters aboard USS ALABAMA, we charge you with their care. Karen, Chief Guay, please pin them in place now.

Chief Primmer, remember who you now are, you must wear these anchors with pride and behave in a way that will always protect them from any dishonor or stain.

(continue after pinning)

Karen, the ALABAMA Chiefs and your husband present you these flowers as a symbol of our appreciation. His success would not be possible without you.

CHIEF Select Christopher Coleman, One Step Forward, MARCH.

Samantha Coleman, and Chris's sons Christopher and Michael Dozsa, will you please join him on deck. These anchors are six generations old, they have been passed down and worn by six successive Chief Petty Officers and today that tradition continues with Chris. Senior Chief Ensley, will you please assist Samantha, Christopher, and Michael, as they pin them in place. Chief Coleman, remember who you now are, you must wear these anchors with pride and behave in a way that will always protect them from any dishonor or stain.

(continue after pinning)

Samantha, the ALABAMA Chiefs and your husband present you these flowers as a symbol of our appreciation. His success would not be possible without you.

CHIEF Select Chad Wright, One Step Forward, MARCH.

Alisha Wright, and Chad's mother, Karen Harvey, will you please join him on deck for the pinning of his anchors. These anchors also have a history. They have been passed down from Chief Wayne Driver, to Irv Blankenship, to John Stennis, to Chad's sponsor Mike Sanchez, and now to Chad. Chief Sanchez will you now assist Alisha and Mrs. Wright in pinning the anchors. Chief Wright, remember who you now are - you must wear these anchors with pride and behave in a way that will always protect them from any dishonor or stain.

(continue after pinning complete)

Alisha, the ALABAMA Chiefs and your husband present you these flowers as a symbol of our appreciation. His success would not be possible without you.

(MMCS GREEN returns to his podium - ETCM CHMIELEWSKI goes to the award table to hand out certificates to PENNSYLVANIA SPONSORS)

MMCS BRAD GREEN:

Chief Select Quinn Anderson, One Step Forward, MARCH.

Lisa Anderson, will you please join your husband on deck. These anchors are a gift from the USS PENNSYLVANIA's Chief's Quarters - Quinn, you are charged with their care. Chief White, please assist Lisa in pinning them on. CHIEF ANDERSON, remember who you now are - you must wear these anchors with pride and behave in a way that will always protect them from any dishonor or stain.

(continue after pinning complete)

Lisa, the PENNSYLVANIA Chiefs and your husband present you with this certificate of recognition. Quinn's success would not be possible without you.

Chief Select Shawn Lewis, One Step Forward, MARCH.

Jackie, would you and your daughter Samantha please join Shawn on deck. These anchors have a history as well. They have been handed down to Shawn by Senior Chief J.T. French, and three successive Torpedoman's Mate Chiefs; Terry Wright, Peter Kloetzke, and Gene Schwierterman. Senior Chief Sommerville would you please assist Jackie and Samantha in pinning them on. CHIEF LEWIS, remember who you now are - you must wear these anchors with pride and behave in a way that will always protect them any dishonor or stain.

(after pinning)

CDR Wear, CDR Daseler, thank you for joining us today.

MMCS GREEN:

Senior Chief Tom Jantze, please come to the stage and stand with Chief Woolard behind Chief Penny.

Finally, we will present the new Chief's with their combination covers - sponsors, please take you selectees hat from the table and return to your place. These hats are symbolic of our community and will be presented as these men hear our Creed read for the first time as Chiefs. Listen closely Chiefs, for all that we are as Chief Petty Officers can be found in this Creed.

ETCM CHMIELEWSKI:

ALL CHIEF, SENIOR CHIEF, AND MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS PLEASE RISE -- ATTENTION TO THE CREED.

"During the course of this day you have been caused to humbly accept challenge and face adversity. This you have accomplished with rare good grace. Pointless as some of these challenges may have seemed, there were valid, time-honored reasons behind each pointed barb. It was necessary to meet these hurdles with blind faith in the fellowship of Chief Petty Officers. The goal was to instill in you that trust is inherent with the donning of the uniform of a Chief."

MMCS BRAD GREEN:

"It was our 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 Chief Petty Officer you will be forced to endure adversity far beyond that imposed upon you today. You must face each challenge and adversity with the same dignity and good grace you demonstrated today."

ETCM CHMIELEWSKI:

"By experience, by performance, and by testing, you have been this day advanced to Chief Petty Officer. In the United States Navy - and only in the United States Navy - the rank of E7 carries with it unique responsibilities and privileges you are now bound to observe and expected to fulfill. Your entire way of life is now changed. More will be expected of you; more will be demanded of you. Not because you are a E7 but because you are now a Chief Petty Officer.

MMCS BRAD GREEN

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, even as they have a special responsibility to you. This is why we in the United States Navy may maintain with pride our feelings of accomplishment once we have attained the position of Chief Petty Officer.

ETCM CHMIELEWSKI:

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 for over 100 years, Chiefs before you have freely accepted responsibility beyond the call of printed assignment. Their actions and their performance demanded the respect of their seniors as well as their juniors. It is now required that you be the fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority in personal relations as well as in technical applications.

MMCS GREEN:

"Ask the Chief" is a household phrase in and out of the Navy. You are now the Chief. The exalted position you have now achieved - and the word exalted is used advisedly - exists because of the attitude and performance of the Chiefs before you. It shall exist only as long as you and your fellow Chiefs maintain these standards. It was our intention that you never forget this day. It was our intention to test you, to try you, and to accept you.

ETCM CHMIELEWSKI:

Your performance has assured us that you will wear "the hat" 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 Chief Petty officer in the United States Navy."

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that we present to you Chief Penny, Chief Primmer, Chief Coleman, Chief Wright, Chief Anderson, and Chief Lewis.

MMCS GREEN:

We thank you all for your time and attention. This concludes our ceremony. You are all invited to a celebratory reception at the Khaki club.

 

 

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