Married Couple Pins Each Other as Chief Petty Officers

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Austin Rooney, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Priscilla Jones and Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) Mark Jones, who have been married for eight years, pinned anchors on each other during two separate chief pinning ceremonies at the Waterside Marriott Hotel in Norfolk and Naval Station Norfolk, Sept. 14.

Priscilla, stationed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and Mark, stationed at Naval Station Norfolk Security, said they both shared the goal of being promoted to chief petty officer for years, but seeing both of their names on the list of selectees at the same time shocked them.

"I really didn't expect I'd make chief this time up," said Priscilla. "I thought my husband would make it, but not both of us."

Mark disagreed, saying he always thought his wife would get the promotion before he did. Upon realizing that they both made it together, he said he felt blessed.

"I'm so glad she was able to pin me, and I was able to do the same for her," said Mark. "She's been with me through most of my career, and we've made a lot of sacrifices to be together. So, this is like a reward for both of us."

Ever since the two met aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 26) in 1999, they knew that they would have to make sacrifices beyond what a normal couple would make as a result of being dual-military. For much of their relationship, Mark would be at sea and Priscilla at shore, and vice versa. Still, the two were able to maintain their commitment to the Navy and each other successfully.

"It's really important to leave work at work," said Priscilla. "Spending time at home should be relaxing. If you can keep those two separate, then it makes the relationship a lot easier."

When they found out that they had been selected, both Priscilla and Mark knew they would be spending the next few weeks apart, since they would be attending different induction activities in different places. After five weeks of waking up at three in the morning and coming home at nine in the evening, the couple said being able to attend each other's pinning ceremonies made the entire process worth it.

"I think we were really lucky, and we both deserved it," said Priscilla. "Words can't even describe how good it felt. It was the best experience in the world."

Now that the couple are both chiefs, they have new goals lined up for their future careers in the Navy. Mark said he plans on transitioning to the wardroom next, while Priscilla said she has her eyes set on making senior chief.

Since Priscilla's ceremony at the Waterside Marriott in Norfolk happened two hours earlier than her husband's in building C-9 on Naval Station Norfolk, she jokingly insists that she made chief before he did.

"I already made chief before Mark did," said Priscilla, laughing. "I think I'll get my senior chief star before he does too."