USS George Washington Frocks New Generation of Petty Officers

A group of 275 Sailors stood in formation while Capt. Greg Fenton, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), congratulates each of them on their advancement to the next paygrade during a frocking ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay, May 30.

“It’s a great feeling to see the hard work of our Sailors pay off,” said George Washington’s Command Master Chief Shaun Brahmsteadt. “I’ve been to 56 frocking ceremonies and it never gets old. There’s nothing better than seeing a Sailor advance to a new paygrade.”

Among the Sailors who advanced in rank, 31 were frocked to the rank of petty officer first class, a significant career milestone in the Navy.

“It’s an amazing feeling to reach the rank of E-6,” Said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Oot, from Syracuse, N.Y. “It took a lot of work and commitment, and now I’m just excited to carry on the traditions of the Navy, rise to the occasion and perform my new duties.”

A total of 87 Sailors advanced to the rank of petty officer second class, and 157 Seaman, Fireman and Airman were frocked to petty officer third class.

George Washington uses a command program known as ‘School of the Ship,’ led by the ship’s chiefs to teach Sailors general seamanship and in-rate knowledge from that rate’s advancement bibliograpies. This training is aimed to give Sailors the knowledge they need to advance in rate.

“The biggest key to advancing in today’s Navy is studying for the advancement exam,” said Brahmsteadt. “Preparing for the exam, in combination with hard work, goes a long way toward achieving that next pay grade.”

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Press Release, June 02, 2014