The Chief Petty Officer

"By experience, by performance, and by testing, you have been this day advanced to Chief Petty Officer” (CPO Creed, 1993). 

     Every September 16^th, at CPO pinning ceremonies all around the world the words of the Chief Petty Officer’s Creed resound.  We are our heritage, and our heritage is us.  It is important to understand the heritage of the Chief Petty Officer and instill it upon our Sailors to ensure the legacy of our Navy.  This essay will briefly explore the history and the significance of the U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer.

History of the CPO

     According to Goodspeed in his essay “The Chief: Backbone of the Navy” (2003) the term “Chief” is recorded as early as 1776 when Jacob Wasbie received the promotion to Chief Cook aboard the Continental Navy ship Alfred, and in 1864 a General Order listed the ratings of Chief Boatswain’s Mate, Chief Gunner’s Mate and Chief Quartermaster.  However, it took General Order 409 (1893) to create the formal rate of Chief Petty Officer.  Since then Chiefs continue to fulfill the simple charges from the CPO Creed (1993)

“More will be expected of you; more will be demanded of you....It is now required that you be the fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority in personal relations as well as in technical applications.” 

Chiefs throughout history took their responsibilities seriously, and in doing so honored their predecessors in never forgetting them and all that they stood for.  Thirty-nine Chiefs received the Congressional Medal of Honor, (Goodspeed, 2003) solidifying the Chief’s place in history as well as providing examples of honor, courage and commitment for all Sailors to emulate.  The history of the Chief Petty Officer by Chiefs past and present create the significance of the Chief Petty Officer to our naval heritage.

    

Significance to our Heritage

     To understand the importance of the Chief Petty Officer to our heritage, let us apply a message given to humanity in an ancient story to the legacy of the Chief.  In the book of Genesis, Joseph who was in exile in Egypt knowing he would never leave made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place" (Genesis 50:25). 

“For the Israelites, the bones of Joseph were their challenge.  They were both a burden to bear and a responsibility to carry.”

(J. Ullian, personal communication, June 7, 2009) 

Similar is the Chief’s burden to bear and responsibility to Chief Petty Officer heritage.  The bones of Chiefs past are the challenge of the Chiefs present. 

“Unseen they march by our side nerving us, encouraging us, directing and influencing us in all our decisions”

(J. Ullian, 2009). 

The reading of the entire Chief Petty Officer’s Creed every year on September 16^th as newly selected Chiefs receive their fouled anchors instills upon them their burden and responsibility not only to the Mess but also to the Chiefs of the past.  It also allows all Chiefs to reaffirm themselves to aspire to those ideals, burdens and responsibilities they assumed on a previous September 16^th.

         

     It is important for Sailors of any rate, enlisted or officer to understand and appreciate those qualities of leadership and dedication to service that the Chief Petty Officer contributes to our rich naval heritage.

 

“In the United States Navy - and only in the United States Navy - the rank of E7 carries with it unique responsibilities and privileges you are now bound to observe and expected to fulfill....You are now the Chief.  The exalted position you have now achieved - and the word exalted is used advisedly - exists because of the attitude and performance of the Chiefs before you.  It shall exist only as long as you and your fellow Chiefs maintain these standards”. (CPO Creed, 1993).

The Chief Petty Officer is the backbone of naval heritage.

References

CPO Creed (1993). Retrieved June 28, 2009 from  http://goatlocker.org/resources/cpo/history/creed1.htm

General Order 409 (1893). Retrieved June 22, 2009 from          http://www.goatlocker.org/resources/409.pdf

Goodspeed, M. H. (2003).  The Chief: Backbone of the Navy.  In M.     Hill Goodspeed, U.S. Navy A Complete History, pp. 690-691. Hong Kong: Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc.