Chief Selectees Begin Path on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Fifty-eight 1st class petty officers aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Air Wing Seven and the staff of Carrier Strike Group Eight were selected for advancement to chief petty officer, July 31.

While operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, the selectees were announced by Capt. Marcus A. Hitchcock, IKE’s commanding officer and Capt. Samuel Paparo, commander Carrier Air Wing Seven, during a ship-wide announcement.

“When I first found out I made Chief, there were a lot of emotions,” said Chief (Sel.) Machinist’s Mate (SW/AW) Chris Navitskis of reactor propulsion division. “To be selected to become part of that group is a pretty surreal feeling. I knew my time would come, I just wasn’t expecting it so quickly.”

Selectees aboard IKE will wear a “Chief Selectee” badge and will soon change their title to “Chief,” forever changing their naval careers.

“It really is an honor to be selected for chief,” said Chief (Sel.) Aviation Structural Mechanic (AW/SW) Francis Furstman, from the Jolly Rogers of VFA-103. “It’s been a career long goal of mine. I’m looking forward to taking more of a role as a mentor and leader.”

The CPO selectees welcome the new challenge of taking charge of the deckplates and leading junior Sailors.

“For the past few years, I have been trying to step up and be a leader for the younger guys,” said Navitskis. “Now, I’ll be able to have a stronger and deeper impact on junior Sailors. Everybody always looks up to the Chief, and to become a part of that tradition is humbling.”

Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Gregg Snaza explained that prior to putting the gold anchors of a chief petty officer on their uniforms, selectees must go through an induction process.

During the induction process, selectees receive physical training, mentoring, and training in the various new responsibilities they will take on with the gold anchors. IKE’s induction ends on Sept. 14, with a pinning ceremony.

“The next six weeks will be challenging as they dive into the roles and responsibilities of a chief petty officer,” said Snaza. “IKE has more than 300 chiefs aboard and I think I speak for all of them when I say we’re looking forward to this year’s induction.”

Snaza said another goal is to revitalize the chief’s mess by reinforcing the traditions and meaning behind the chief petty officers.

“Our goal is to illuminate the challenges that chiefs face every day and to impart upon our new selectees that leadership and integrity are key,” said Snaza. “I look forward to induction every year. It recharges my batteries and brings back to the forefront all the great things chiefs stand for.”

For those Sailors selected, being advanced is the result of years of hard work, dedication, and help from those before them.

“Making chief has always been a goal of mine,” said Navitskis. “I wouldn’t be here without other chiefs who helped me along the way.”

Eisenhower is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

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Naval Today Staff, August 3, 2012