Chief Petty Officer - United States Navy

"It was our intent to impress upon you that challenge is good; a great and necessary reality which cannot mar you--which, in fact, strengthens you. In your future as a Chief Petty Officer, you will be forced to endure adversity far beyond that imposed upon you today. You must face each challenge and adversity with the same dignity and good grace you demonstrated today."

--from the Chief Petty Officer Creed

CONGRATULATIONS to the Navy's newest Chief Petty Officers ! Our Navy is counting on you. The Deckplates are yours. Take charge and carry out the plan of the day ! You are "the Chief."

In honor of Navy Chief Petty Officer Mark Carter, 27, of Virginia Beach, VA who was killed in Iraq in December 2007. He faced every adversity and challenge head-on. He was, by any measure, the epitome of the kind of individual we need in the Chief Petty Officers' Mess today.