SEA CADET CHIEFS PINNED ALONGSIDE NEW NAVY CHIEFS
The Chief Selectees from Naval Support Activity Mid-South and three sea cadets entered the sanctuary while proudly singing Anchors Aweigh. The entrance marked the beginning of NSA Mid-South’s Chief Petty Officers Pinning Ceremony. The sea cadets, part of Tennessee (BB-43) Division, had met the necessary requirements to be promoted to Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. As the unit is headquartered near NSA Mid-South in Millington, Tenn., the cadets were invited to participate in the ceremony.
“It was an honor walking step by step in procession with the Navy Chiefs from NSA Mid-South who had worked so hard for the right to be called chiefs,” said BB-43 CPO Brayden Smith. “We had several practices before the actual pinning and got to meet and spend time with the Chief Selectees.”
“The Chiefs were very supportive during the practices, and I never felt out of place,” said BB-43 CPO Roland Noble. “Becoming a chief is an exciting experience and being able to do so with Navy Chief Selectees is something I hope other sea cadets can go through.”
Also making the event memorable for the sea cadets was the ceremony’s guest speaker, Force Master Chief (Ret.) Ronney A. Wright, who serves as a United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Board Member. “Master Chief Wright’s speech was inspiring. He encouraged the chiefs to keep up their dedication and spirit both in the Navy and beyond,” Noble said. “Master Chief Wright told us to keep up the great work and persevere as the work does not stop now, but has only begun,” Smith said.
The USNSCC chiefs were the first to be pinned by family members and have their covers placed on their heads by Navy Chiefs. They then received their first salutes from the sideboys honoring the chiefs. They were joined by 40 new Chief Petty Officers. “Being in the USNSCC program for the past five years has been a great honor. I learned to work hard towards a goal and how to be a good leader,” Smith said.
Tennessee (BB-43) Division is supported locally by Navy League Memphis.