USA: Ike Celebrates Hundreds of New Petty Officers

Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) gathered Dec. 5 at the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau in Virginia Beach, Va., to support shipmates who advanced to the next pay grade following the results of the September Navywide advancement exam.

More than 300 Ike Sailors learned their efforts had paid off when the Navy announced the advancement exam results, Nov. 26. Ike frocked 315 Sailors at the ceremony, and more will be frocked under the command advancement program (CAP) and as a result of corrected discrepancies in their personnel records.

In addition to the exam scores, Sailors are advanced to the rank of petty officer first, second and third class based on other factors, including points for college education, awards and performance evaluation marks. These factors are scored and added together to determine a tester’s final multiple score, which is compared against a minimum final multiple score determined by the number of available slots in their rate (job) at their pay grade. If the multiple number is high enough, that Sailor advances.

Prior to being frocked to the next pay grade, eligible Sailors attend petty officer indoctrination classes to learn the responsibilities specific to the next level of Navy leadership. Frockees assume new and challenging roles, from rate-specific management positions to work center supervisors and leading petty officers responsible for entire divisions.

“Advancement isn’t just about increased pay or a new collar device,” said Ike Command Master Chief Shay Langejans. “It’s about setting an example and being a Sailor that those junior to you can look up to as their role model.”

Capt. Stephen T. Koehler, Ike’s commanding officer, said he is tremendously proud of all of the command’s newly advanced petty officers.

“Promotion is always a wonderful experience,” Koehler said. “It is an opportunity to grow and take on more responsibility. We are all very proud of the Sailors promoted here today. Not only are they the future of the Navy, they’re the deckplate leaders of our magnificent warship, and I can’t wait to see them in action.”

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Press Release, December 06, 2013; Image: US Navy