USS Blue Ridge Promotes 99 Sailors

U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) frocked 99 enlisted Sailors to their newly-earned petty officer ranks at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), Dec. 12.

A frocked Sailor accepts the responsibilities and is afforded the opportunity to wear the uniform of their new paygrade before they are officially promoted.

Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Capt. Richard McCormack personally congratulated the frocked Sailors on their advancement as he presented them each with a certificate and handshake while Executive Officer Nathan Fugate introduced all the awardees.

Blue Ridge’s advancement rate of 44.2 percent this cycle was higher than the fleetwide average of 27.1 percent.

Sailors are tested on their job-specific and general military knowledge and receive evaluations from their chains of command discussing their abilities in areas such as leadership, teamwork and military bearing. All these factors weigh in on a Sailor’s promotability.

The timeframe in which they’re promoted depends on how well they scored on their rating advancement exam.

Blue Ridge advanced 46 Sailors to 3rd class petty officer, 42 to 2nd class petty officer and 11 to 1st class petty officer.

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Press release, Image: US Navy