Three hundred Sailors were frocked to their next higher pay grade during a ceremony on board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Dec. 1.
The ship’s newest petty officer first, second and third class selectees stood in ranks and made their way onto the stage as Capt. Greg Fenton, George Washington’s commanding officer, personally congratulated and handed each newly promoted petty officer their frocking letter.
Frocking authorizes Sailors to assume the title, wear, obligation and authority of the next higher pay grade based on the semi-annual advancement exam results.
Frocked Sailors carry increased authority but are not entitled to higher monetary allowances until they are actually promoted. The Navy is the only branch of the U.S. military that practices this tradition.
The newly-frocked petty officers waited more than two months to find out if they would be advanced to the next higher pay grade.
All newly-promoted petty officers third class selectees attended a mandatory petty officer indoctrination course where they learned the responsibilities of leadership. Petty officer first and second class selectees completed leadership courses that helped them learn and prepare to take on their new responsibilities.
George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protected the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Press release, Image: US Navy