VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Friday featured a 129-year tradition in the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Oceana. The base hosted its Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony, promoting dozens of men and women. It took a lot for these Sailors to get to this point.
Friday was a big day for more than 70 Navy families as they took part in the milestone.
"The Chief is the person that carries a lot of naval traditions, and also has a lot of information and knowledge on policies we have in the Navy," said Command Master Chief De'Andre Beaufort.
Nearly 70 Sailors pinned on the rank of Chief Petty Officer, or E-7 in the Navy.
"Getting to the rank to the pay grade of Chief Petty Officer is extremely rewarding, gratifying," said Chief Petty Officer Jose Dajer. "It's an amazing opportunity to serve in a fraternity, in a brotherhood, in a sisterhood that's much bigger than any individual inside of the Navy. I owe my life, I owe my family, the opportunities they have gotten, to the Navy."
For newly pinned Chief Jodikay Maxwell, this is years in the making.
"It feels amazing," Maxwell said. "I would say I'm speechless, but one word to top it off is 'amazing.' It's been an amazing journey to get here."
The selected Sailors had to go through a rigorous, six-week training before making it to this big day.
"The six weeks, whew! It was a lot of training, a lot of PT sessions, and a lot of coming together as one," Maxwell said. "A lot of teamwork, a lot of communication. It was a long six weeks but it was worth it in the end.
