Eleven Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) were advanced to the rank of chief petty officer (CPO) during a pinning ceremony at Naval Base Guam theater, Sept. 16.
The ceremony was led by Frank Cable Command Master Chief James R. Schneider and Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Benjamin who provided the opening remarks.
The pinning ceremony capped off a grueling six-week process in which the Sailors’ minds and bodies were pushed to their limits.
The CPO-365 program, formerly known as induction, is a two-part process. The first part is an 11 month program that pairs first class petty officers with chief petty officers in multiple training and physical fitness evolutions. The second phase is only for those selected to advance to chief petty officer.
Phase two also aims to enhance the Sailors’ communication and leadership skills, preparing them for the expanded responsibilities that come with their new rank.
The new chiefs were pinned by their spouses, children or fellow chiefs. The ceremony concluded with all chief petty officers, past and present, singing “Anchors Aweigh.” Though all branches of the U.S. military have an E-7 pay grade equivalent, the CPO rank is exclusive to the Navy and Coast Guard.
Frank Cable, forward deployed to the island of Guam, conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.