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Navy Information Warfare commands in Suffolk welcomes newest Chief Petty Officers

By: Joshua Rodriguez, Naval Information Forces

In a time-honored tradition, Navy Information Warfare commands in Suffolk, Virginia, welcomed their newest Chief Petty Officers (CPOs) during a pinning ceremony on Sept. 27, 2024.

Friends, family, and shipmates gathered to witness the milestone. 11 sailors from Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), Naval Network Warfare Command (NNWC), and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet (FCC/C10F) donned their anchors, symbolizing their transition into the ranks of Navy leadership.

The Navy’s newest CPOs include:

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW/AW) Roneshia Davis, NNWC

– Chief Intelligence Specialist (IW/EXW) Tiara Lee, NAVIFOR

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW/EXW) Frank Logan, NNWC

– Chief Construction Electrician (IW/SCW/EXW) Elliot McFeely, NAVIFOR

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW/AW/EXW) Rahiem Penn, NNWC

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW/AW) Bethany Plaskett, NNWC

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW) Warren Rogers III, FCC/C10F

– Chief Personnel Specialist (SW/AW) Chelsea Russ, NAVIFOR

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW) Kenneth Tooker, NNWC

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW) Zachary Wilson, NNWC

– Chief Information Systems Technician (IW/SW) Donald Wood Jr., NAVIFOR

The ceremony featured retired Command Master Chief Thomas “Keith” Hayden, who inspired the newly pinned Chiefs with words of wisdom, reflecting on the enduring role of the CPO community as “the real superheroes” of the Navy.

“Chiefs know how to transfer knowledge to the next generation of superheroes,” Hayden said. “We love to lead our junior Sailors and see them flourish in their careers. In fact, nothing makes us prouder than seeing a Sailor we taught, teaching other Sailors.”

Hayden emphasized that becoming a Chief Petty Officer is not only a personal milestone but also a profound responsibility. With the wearing of the fouled anchors comes the expectation to lead by example, shaping the future of the Navy through mentorship and steadfast guidance. This moment signifies a commitment to uphold the high standards that define the role of Chief, while leading with empathy and humility.

“Chiefs understand the pain, heartache, and struggle that their Sailors and shipmates face because they have been there and likely suffered through the same situations,” Hayden noted. “Chiefs must have empathy and respect for the human beings that they are charged to care for and mold into the next generation. The things we say, the actions we take, the emotions we show will make or break a Sailor’s willingness to ever trust you and ask for help when the need goes deeper than their career.”

Among the newly pinned Chiefs was NAVIFOR’s Chief Construction Electrician Elliot McFeely, who shared his feelings about this career milestone.

“Today is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice,” McFeely said. “I am both honored and humbled by this responsibility and am ready to serve the Navy and my Sailors in my new role.”

This year’s ceremony marks a significant chapter in NAVIFOR’s mission to strengthen the Navy’s information warfare capabilities by investing in its people and developing a cadre of technical experts and seasoned leaders.

NAVIFOR’s Force Master Chief (FORCM) Augustine Cooper emphasized the importance of Chiefs in the command’s and the Navy’s success.

“Chiefs are the backbone of our Navy,” Cooper said. “The challenges our new Chiefs will face are many, but the support they will receive from their fellow Chiefs and their Sailors is unwavering. Our Chiefs lead with integrity, humility, and dedication, upholding the legacy of those who came before them for the last 131 years.”

NAVIFOR’s mission is to generate, directly and through leadership of the Information Warfare Enterprise, agile and technically superior manned, trained, equipped, and certified combat-ready information warfare forces to ensure the Navy can decisively deter, compete, and win.