By Preston Jarrett
Forty-one Sailors were promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer during a pinning ceremony at Crosspointe Baptist Church in Millington, Nov. 19.
The ceremony was attended by friends, family members and fellow Sailors alike, in contrast to 2020’s virtually-held pinning.
“Every season is unique in and of itself, but the pandemic has changed things, like how many people could attend the pinning ceremony, since only the fully vaccinated could attend,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Laura Leopold, the Reserve pay and manpower department head at Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Memphis. “That does change the dynamic. I’m just grateful that we got to have a face-to-face season since last year’s was virtual.”
The training season for the new chief petty officers included mitigation to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the pinning ceremony itself had several measures in place to ensure the health and safety of all who attended.
“I am proud of the work that the chief mess did to ensure a safe season for all of our personnel and families,” said Capt. Mike Mosbruger, commanding officer, NSA Mid-South. “I am confident that our new chiefs are ready for their new roles and am proud of what they have accomplished making it to this level in their careers.”
Aside from new COVID-related requirements, Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Christopher Lussier, assigned to NOSC Memphis, faced a unique predicament during the season by being the only Reservist in his rate to be selected.
“Personally for me, being that I was one of one, I was actually officially a ‘chief’ on September 16,” said Lussier. “Three weeks after the results, I officially became an E-7, so I had to continue on in the season with some people asking me why I’m not in uniform, but I made the choice to continue as an E-6 to get pinned with the rest of my class.”
Lussier was driven by his father, a retired master chief, to follow down the same route and join the fraternity.
“I grew up in the Navy as a kid, and it just became natural to join,” said Lussier. “Personally, it means following dead in my father’s footsteps and making him proud to have another chief in the family. Not just him, but all the chiefs from the beginning of my career. I’ve had chiefs, senior chiefs and master chiefs in my career that have always been motivating.”
Chief Master-at-Arms Cory Rhea, assigned to NCIS, said that his inspiration to make chief came from his grandfather, who was also a retired master chief.
“He died about 12 years ago, but he always brought me out to the base,” said Rhea. “We got to park in the ‘master chief’ parking spots, and seeing the way people looked at and talked to him made me want to do more and follow him in the Navy. When he came to my graduation at boot camp, I could tell that was one of the proudest moments in his life. I have a wife and two daughters, and they couldn’t be more proud. There have been times when they’ve wanted it to be over, but they turn around, and they’re motivated to finish this and make it.”
Leopold said that her family also has helped her get to this special point in her career.
“My father-in-law is a former chief who converted to LDO (limited-duty officer) before he retired,” said Leopold. “He never let me settle or give up on myself, and my husband, who’s a PS1 (personnel specialist 1st class). I’m grateful for both of them; for my husband to be there and bounce interpretations of policies or ideas, and my father-in-law to give leadership guidance.”
All three new chiefs expressed a desire to give back to their junior Sailors by providing mentorship and guidance.
“This ceremony marks a big transition for these Sailors as they join the ranks of Chief Petty Officer,” said NSA Mid-South Command Master Chief Donald Ates. “I am proud of the work they and the season committee have done to prepare for not only this ceremony, but also for the challenges they will face as new leaders in the Navy. These Chiefs will remember this day for the rest of their lives.”
