Chief Selectees Show Pride in Annual 5K Chief Run

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tamekia Perdue, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk

NORFOLK (NNS) -- More than 2,000 runners participated in the sixth annual, five-kilometer "Run with the Chiefs" at Naval Station Norfolk (NAVSTA) Aug. 20 to celebrate chief petty officers' and selectees' pride and camaraderie.

Former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Duane R. Bushey; Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Fleet Master Chief Michael D. Stevens were among those leading the pack and expressing their support to the chief's mess.

"It was an honor to be with my chief petty officers," said Stevens.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office organized the run.

The run has been an annual success, said Duffy Drum, NAVSTA Norfolk's MWR assistant athletic director.

"Every year the numbers seem to grow more and more," said Duffy.

Runners lined up on Gilbert Street in front of the NAVSTA galley and ran to the waterfront, along the piers of the naval base and back through the heart of the base.

Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class (SW/AW) William Jamieson, of the Navy Public Affairs Support Element- East, was the top finisher with 19 minutes 29 seconds for the 3.1-mile run.

"I really enjoy running," said Jamieson, "If there is a chance to do it with my command and support the new chief selectees, then that is even better."

Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Bradley Schaab, with the Surface Combat Systems Center in Wallops Island, Va., was among the first group of chiefs and chief selectees to finish the run together.

"It's great. It shows that my guys are starting to get the PT (physical training) portion down; they seem to be doing a great job. I am proud of them," said Schaab.

After the race, the chief selectees returned to the parade field to get into a formation with all the selectee groups.

The following command selectee groups were named winners of specific competition areas: USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), Most Original Design; Assault Craft Unit 2, Most Chief Petty Officer Heritage; USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - MCPON's Favorite; and Commander, Sumbarine Force - Overall Best Guidon.

Stevens concluded the event with some encouragement for the chief petty officer selectees.

"You're going to hear a lot over the next few weeks of what being a chief is all about," said Stevens. "All I'm going to say is, you come along side, and you lead. You come along side, and you help out. You come along side, and you lead, nobody is left behind. We all finished, and we all finished together. We are the United States Navy."