USS George Washington Pins 15 Senior Chiefs

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Sloan,

USS George Washington Public Affairs

WATERS NEAR GUAM (NNS) -- A round of applause echoed in the Chief Petty Officer's Mess aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) when 15 new senior chief petty officers were frocked, May 29.

The frocking ceremony was a rite of passage to the next pay grade as each senior chief petty officer assumed their new title and responsibilities.

"It's a testament to the dedication they display toward the service of their nation, the Navy, their command and their Sailors," said George Washington's Command Master Chief Jason Haka. "I'm very proud to see 15 outstanding chiefs get selected and receive their first, well-deserved, star. It really shows the hard work and the technical knowledge our chiefs demonstrate aboard the only forward-deployed aircraft carrier."

Capt. Timothy Kuehhas, George Washington's commanding officer, introduced the senior chiefs on stage and two Sailors were granted the honor to pin the one-starred anchor on each collar.

"I never thought I would make it this far," said Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Jordan Orr, Weapons G-5 division leading chief petty officer (DLCPO). "I joined just wanting to do one enlistment, fell in love with the Navy and worked as hard as I could."

While the newly frocked senior chiefs had diverse backgrounds, they all believe in a common message.

"It's all about improving yourself a little bit every day," said Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Andre Bembry, George Washington's Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) IM-3 DLCPO. "You need to take an honest look in the mirror and constantly work on your weaknesses."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. George Washington will conduct a hull-swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) later this year after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan.