Happy Birthday to the Chiefs where ever you maybe.

 

 

 The rank of the Chief Petty Officer was established in the Navy on April  1, 1893, with Masters-at-Arms, Boatswain's Mates, Quartermasters, Gunner's  Mates, Machinists, Carpenter's Mates, Yeomen, Apothecaries, and Band Masters  serving as the first Chief Petty Officers.

 

 One hundred years later, on April 1, 1993, then-Chief of Naval Operations  ADM Frank Kelso II said, "The example set by Chiefs for the last century  inspires our young men and women of today. Indeed, what Americans see in  Our impressive young Sailors is the tradition of devotion and dedication the  First Chiefs established with their sacrifices and valor."

 

 Now, 15 years later, those words still ring true.

 

 Today, Chief Petty Officers serve in many vital roles at the Naval Academy.

 

 They are Senior Enlisted Leaders within Bancroft Hall. They are Craft  masters aboard the Yard Patrol Craft. They are instructors in Engineering  & Weapons, and in Seamanship & Navigation. They are leaders within the Naval  Academy Band. They lead Sailors in mission-accomplishment, ensuring the YPs  And sailboats are ready to train; ensuring medical staffs are ready and able  To provide high quality care to active duty, family members, and retirees; ensuring  the Sailors standing watch at our gates are trained and equipped to carry  out the mission. These Chiefs serve every day as role models to thousands  Of future Navy and Marine Corps officers, providing the standard of  Excellence in leadership we should all expect from our superiors.

 

 There is a common tale about the critical role of Chief Petty Officers  That has roots back in the days of ADM William "Bull" Halsey, Class of 1904,  Fleet Admiral and Commander of the Third Fleet during the Pacific War against  Japan. At the end of World War II, legend has it that the city of Los Angeles  had a ceremony on the steps of the county courthouse to honor their home  Town hero, which included a line of sideboys. According to the story, the  sideboys were all active duty and retired Chief Petty Officers who had served with  ADM Halsey. ADM Halsey approached one of the retired Chiefs, and they winked  At each other. At a cocktail party later on in the evening, one of the guests  at the event asked the Admiral about the wink he shared with the Chief.

 

 The story says that ADM Halsey explained, "That man was my Chief when I was an Ensign, and no one before or after taught me as much about ships or men as he did. You civilians don't understand. You go down to Long Beach, and you  see those battleships sitting there, and you think that they float on

 water, don't you?"

 

 The guest replied, "Yes sir, I guess I do."

 

 To which ADM Halsey stated, "You are wrong. They are carried to sea on the backs of those Chief Petty Officers!

 

 As we honor the 115th birthday of the Chief Petty Officers, please take a  moment to reflect upon the significance of those fouled anchors and the  years of experience, wisdom, and deckplate leadership they represent.

 

YES, HAIL TO THE CHIEF!