A Chief is A Chief

In the Navy I grew up in; a Chief was a Chief. Belay that! A Chief was The Chief! The Chief’s job was taking care of the mission and the Sailors who did the jobs required to complete the mission. Further, the representation of the “Chief” as used in that statement is a fouled anchor…period. Everyone got that? In case not, and because this is so important: A FOULED ANCHOR—PERIOD!

Oh, you have a star on top of yours, or perhaps two stars! Well bully for you! I’m glad the numbers worked out in your favor, and I’m happy your paycheck got a little bigger, but that’s all that happened, Shipmate. You didn’t suddenly become wiser, or better otherwise, than your contemporaries, so be careful not to let the stars fool you into thinking you’ve risen above the fouled-anchor (PERIOD!) definition of a Chief. Say this again: “A Chief is a Chief, and the fouled anchor represents a Chief.” If, about now, you’re thinking “I earned this promotion over my peers” —if any of those I’s survived your transition, if you don’t genuinely have an attitude of simply being grateful that the numbers worked out for you, then you really missed the mark during your transition. That’s a rhetorical statement, don’t try to defend yourself (because your “I’s” will surely give you away!).

Wise words from a SCPO friend of mine.