Center for Service Support and Naval Station Newport Kicks off CPO Heritage Week

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW/SW) Shawn D. Graham, Center for Service Support Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Center for Service Support (CSS) and Naval Station Newport (NSN) announced the kick off a week of celebrations in honor of the 121st birthday and heritage of Navy chief petty officers (CPO) March 31.

"Ask the chief is spoken daily throughout the Navy," said Command Master Chief (SW/SCW/AW) Ray Rosado, CSS's command master chief. "Chief petty officers get results and every successful command in the Navy is prosperous because of a strong, professional CPO mess. We must continue to build upon our strong legacy, strengthening it year by year. CPOs throughout the fleet must set the example for young Sailors, officer and enlisted, to emulate."

Rosado acknowledged some of the struggles current CPOs have encountered in recent times.

"Chiefs are no exception to the rules," said Rosado. "Chiefs are supposed to enforce standards and be gatekeepers of our traditions and customs. We must accomplish the mission above board and ensure our ethics and professionalism is beyond reproach. We must not lead with a, 'do as I say, not as I do attitude.' Current CPOs must be good teachers and mentors and pass on their experience and knowledge to everyone. We must take care of our young Sailors before we look to our own needs. Service before self is paramount."

"This weeklong celebration should give us time to reflect on the sacrifices that so many chiefs, past and present have made for our country and Navy," said Rosado. "It's a time to stop engines and render honors to our sisters and brothers who helped build the world's most powerful Navy."

Chief Logistics Specialist (SW/EXW/AW) Ray Paradis, CSS command individual augmentee coordinator (CIAC) said that Sailors respect good chiefs and are drawn to strong deckplate leaders.

"Chiefs have three objectives in carrying out their day to day responsibilities," said Paradis. "We must train and guide junior officers, to develop them into leaders; train and develop our subordinates into future leaders; and to utilize all fellow CPO's experience and wisdom, in addition to technical expertise, when trying to solve problems and achieve the command's mission. It's our responsibility to make command priorities our priorities. We are all striving toward the same goal: a better, more efficient Navy."

Deckplate leadership includes: visible and engaged supervision; inspiring motivator and trainer for junior officers and enlisted Sailors; developing process improvements and efficiencies; and dramatically furthering a command's mission and vision through leadership achievements.

"We must also lead in our personal lives," said Paradis. "Our communities and families need us. Everyone can benefit from strong mentor. Many chiefs fit that description and want to make the world around them better."

CSS and its learning sites provide Sailors with the knowledge and skills needed to support the fleet's warfighting mission. More than 300 staff and faculty work hand-in-hand with the fleet and are dedicated to ensure training is current and well executed on behalf of 10,000 Sailors who graduate from CSS courses annually in the administration, logistics and media communities.