MCPON Whittet - Establishment of Senior Enlisted Leadership The senior enlisted leadership structure of the Navy began to expand and take root in the 1970s. In 1971, the CPO advisory Board to the Chief of Naval Operations was established before MCPON Black left office. Seven master chief and senior chief petty officers from the fleet were selected to join the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on the board to advise the CNO on various matters relating to enlisted Sailors. The advisory board was the beginning of the senior enlisted leadership structure in the U.S. Navy 32. Later, in 1971, under the leadership of MCPON Whittet and Adm. Zumwalt, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command (MCPOC) program was announced in Z-Gram 95 33. The program established 23 billets at Fleet, Force, and other major commands for Master Chief Petty Officers of the Command (MCPOC). MCPOCs wore a five-point star as a specialty mark on their rating badges. It was also at this time that the MCPON began wearing the same star as a specialty mark. The MCPON and MCPOCs also began wearing the white Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) badge. The MCPOC program was expanded to all other Navy commands. Commanding officers of ships and shore installations were authorized to designate an SEA for the command. The position was a collateral duty and the SEA didn’t change their rating badge. However, they were authorized to wear the SEA badge.
NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND PHOTOGRAPH
John D. (Jack) Whittet served as the second Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy 1971-1975.
During the 1970s the MCPON began to meet and communicate with the senior enlisted leaders regarding various topics including guidance for CPO initiations.  
LEUCI Collection
1971 Senior Enlisted Advisor badge worn by MCPON Whittet and MCPON Walker.
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NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND PHOTOGRAPH
1972 MCPON Whittet meets with Pacific Fleet and Force Master Chiefs. Navy senior enlisted leadership began to expand in the early 1970s.