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Forward
very chief petty officer, active, reserve, and retired should read “A Tradition of Change-CPO Initiations to CPO 365” Study it and review it each year on 16 September when we renew our commitment to the tradition and heritage of the CPO mess worldwide. Reading “A Tradition of Change” brought back many good memories, a few bad, and tears to my eyes. I have always been very proud to be a member of the U.S. Navy Chief’s Mess—the finest group of men and women in the world. That pride continues to grow as I continue participate in what we now call CPO 365. Each of my fellow MCPONs and I have brought about necessary changes in order to preserve a Navy tradition that has bonded our mess for over seventy years. These changes were implemented, not to inflate egos or to make change for the sake of change. Change was needed to preserve the tradition from extinction and to serve the Navy with standards that better prepare chief petty officers for their role in today’s Navy. Change is an inevitable tradition; we must accept it smartly or get left behind. “BZ” to MCPON Mike Stevens for commissioning Master Chief Jim Leuci to research and document CPO initiation history for us and for future generations of chief petty officers. “Let the Buck Stop Here” MCPON Duane R. Bushey USN(Ret) 7th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy 1988-1992
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