Every time a bell rings : A Navy Chief gets their anchor

By Spc. Brandon BabbittNovember 7, 2009

The Base Chapel was the site of a

special military ceremony as

the Navy personnel pinned anchors

on 10 new Chief Petty Officers.

For the sailors, it was an important day

as they became senior non-commissioned

officers.

"Today is about the Chiefs, for the

Chiefs and done by the Chiefs," said

Command Master Chief Stephen Murray,

the host of event. "Now these 10

new Chiefs will walk out of this promotion

ceremony with anchors on their

collar, and at the same time will have

more responsibilities on their shoulders

in regards to taking care of sailors."

The guest speaker, Capt. Lynn Welling,

the Commanding Officer of the

Medical Corps Expeditionary Medical

Facility Kuwait. He stressed his appreciation

for the enlisted corps, and in particular the Chiefs.

"The Chiefs make up the backbone of the

fleet," said Welling. "To this day, my Chiefs

are still training me. Chiefs get the results that

count."

Welling went on to warn the new Chiefs

about always keeping their professionalism and

discipline. He also stressed the importance of

bringing new ideas and energies to the Fleet in

order to guide and develop young sailors.

Following Welling, the new Chiefs walked

to the front of an audience full of military

members of all branches. There, their sponsors

pinned them with the anchor, and congratulated

them on their promotion.

Following the ceremony, new Chief Petty

Officer Elizabeth Plettner a member of the Expeditionary

Medical Facility Kuwait of Fresno,

Calif., expressed how nervous and exhilarated

she was during the promotion ceremony.

"Being a Chief is a special honor that I never

want to take for granted and as long as I do my

job and take care of people, the rest will fall in

line," said Plettner.