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Sigonella Pins New Class of Leaders
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By Janine Scianna / NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
FY20 chiefs and master sergeants join the NAS Sigonella chief ’s mess.
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté.
An FY20 chief is rung into the chief ’s mess.
U.S. Navy photo by MR2 Kyle Drummond.
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté.
An FY20 chief is pinned with his fouled anchors.
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté.
For six weeks, Naval Air Station Sigonella’s FY20 E-7 selects have trained together as a group and worked through adversity. For six weeks, they have been mentored by the chief’s mess, conducted community improvement projects, been immersed in naval heritage, and gone through a rigorous physical fitness regime, all while keeping up with demands from their normal day jobs. This training period is intended to physically and mentally shift these Sailors into the leaders they will become in tomorrow’s Navy.
This year’s class of chief petty officer selects included 17 first class petty officers and three U.S. Air Force technical sergeants, who voluntarily participated in the Navy’s CPO training program to hone their leadership and teamwork skills.
And on September 13, 2019, these 20 E-7 selects were ceremoniously pinned with their new rank and welcomed into the chief’s mess.
Master of ceremonies, Chief Mass Communication Specialist Brett Cote, led off by advising that their pinning shouldn’t be viewed as the end of initiation, rather the beginning of their new journey as leaders.
A great chief does not earn his anchors once, but earns them every day,” said Cote. “It is no longer about you, but about those you lead and guide.
This year’s guest speaker, the senior enlisted leader of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia, Master Chief Utilitiesman Travis Canady, also imparted his wisdom to the new class of leaders.
Strive every day to always be visible on the deck plates,” said Canady. “Have the foresight to get ahead of, and persevere through, the toughest challenges while inspiring others.
One by one, each select was pinned by family and friends and covered by fellow chiefs. And finally, after dedicating years of their lives to reach a milestone that only 10% get to achieve, they were piped aboard through the side boys and rung into the chief’s mess.
There are few promotions in military service that are as monumental as becoming a chief. So much more is now expected of these chiefs and master sergeants. They will be seen as subject matter experts by all, and mentors to the enlisted and junior officers alike.
Canady went through the laundry list of all the character traits that will come to be expected with their new rank. Innovation, trust, loyalty, integrity, and team building are now core components of their work. But above all else, character.
Most importantly, serve with character,” urged Canady. “You must exemplify the core values of honor, courage, and commitment. You are the chief.
