That is the day I got my anchors!

Today, thousands of new chiefs will join a group of men and women that have served their Nation, Navy, and their Sailors for over a hundred years with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The role of a chief petty officer is unique within the U.S., and probably any, military! The process begins early in a Sailor’s career. Becoming a chief is not an overnight occurrence; it starts on the grinder at Recruit Training Command and continues on the deck plates, work centers, flight lines and shore facilities of every Navy command.

Reaching the CPO selection board is not an easy task. A petty officer first class must first receive their commanding officer’s recommendation, and then pass a test including questions related to their rating or job, and general naval or military questions. The test score will be the first hurdle. If they score high enough, their service jacket will be reviewed, graded, and voted on by a panel of master chiefs and officers. The Chief of Naval Personnel or another designated admiral will receive a briefing from the President of the Board, a Navy captain, and sign off on the Naval Administrative (NAVADMIN) message to the fleet.

I sat on three selection boards, two for chiefs and one for senior and master chiefs. It was an interesting experience and one of the best in my career. The Navy’s selection board system fairly selects the best of the fleet. There is no secret handshake, one assignment, or collateral duty that will make a Sailor a chief. It takes a commitment to the Navy and the Sailors!

Today, these words of the Navy Creed will be read as the new chiefs are welcomed into the mess.

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.

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. 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 an E7 but because you are now a 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, 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. 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. “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. 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.

Putting on my khakis that first time, having the anchors pinned to my collar, and being welcomed into the mess remains one of the fondest memories of my Naval service. Today, my khakis hang in the closet, and my dress cover with the gold anchor, silver USN and the two stars of master chief sits on a bookshelf waiting for the next retirement ceremony or funeral service. But, today I welcome my new brothers and sisters to the fellowship of the Chiefs Mess because today I am still a Chief!

Dave Mattingly is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer, writer, and national security consultant. He is a member of the Military Writers Guild, NETGALLEY Challenge 2015 and a NETGALLEY Professional Reader.

Enjoy what you just read? Please help spread the word to new readers by hitting the green “Recommend” button below and sharing it on social media.