Happy Birthday, chiefs!

I want to piggyback on MCPON West’s birthday message sent out March 30 via Navy.mil.

In his message, which can be found at www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43884, MCPON West reminds us first and foremost we should take a moment and truly reflect on “the honored traditions of our mess and the heritage associated with it.”

But, I ask you, what is our heritage? What are our honored traditions? Sure, we can stand up and list all of those who have served as MCPON or proudly stand up and talk about the path senior-enlisted Sailors have taken to become the chief. But, really, what is our most-honored tradition?

MCPON West spelled it out clearly for us all in his birthday message as he looked back upon MCPON Billy Sanders and the status of the Navy during Sanders’ tenure as our MCPON. Our most-honored tradition is keeping our ranks filled with the best possible people. Shipmates, there is NO room for mediocrity! We must hold ourselves and the Fleet to the highest of standards.

Bottom line here as MCPON Sanders wrote and MCPON West reminded us: “It’s time to be Navy.”

It’s time get back to the basics of what it is that has made the U.S. Navy chief petty officer mess the backbone of the greatest Navy in the world. And, there is no better time than our birthday to make that happen.

Fleet sends.
cpf.fleetfeedback@navy.mil