A few years ago, while participating in the annual chief petty officer (CPO) rite of passage, I had one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life.
Delivering Training – A candid shot presenting on the topic of “Deckplate Leadership.” The photo was taken on the pier near the former USS Barry (DD-933) at the time, she was a museum ship at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C. In May 2016, the Barry was towed to Philadelphia for scrapping. Photo courtesy of the author.
For those unfamiliar with Navy tradition, a ‘selectee’ is a first-class petty officer (E-6), who will be promoted to Chief (E-7) but has not yet been ‘admitted’ into hallowed environs of the CPO mess. This four to six-week initiation process is much like pledging a fraternity, only on steroids. And while certainly fun, even for the selectees, all the intense activities are designed to instill qualities of deckplate leadership, effective communication, and a deep sense of trust in the CPO Mess.
BUC (SCW) Jeffery Davenport – One of the selectees during the initiation receiving some “up close and personal” instruction from the BMC. Photo courtesy of the author.
The Naval Air Station Patuxent River CPO mess had invited me to assist in training their selectees during a two-day tour of Washington, DC. I met the group on the ex-USS Barry (DD-933). After the evening meal on the Barry’s mess decks, we all retired to the fantail for some entertainment provided by the selectees. It was then that I came face-to-face with four sailors I had personally recruited during my final tour of duty as a Navy recruiter.
To put this into perspective, there were 24 selectees and some 15 ‘genuine’ CPOs onboard the Barry that day. Even with my limited math, that means 10 percent of those deckplate leaders made the decision to join the Navy because of my recruiting efforts.
The four CPOs referenced in the article and myself in the in the Rear Admiral William A. Moffett building atrium at NAS Pax River. Photo courtesy of the author.
On that relic of the Cold War, I was privileged to witness the living legacy of my Navy career. Here were four consummate professionals at the very top of their profession, all part of the khaki corps that dates back to 1893; talk about an ah-ha moment.
When describing my feelings about the experience to a friend of mine, I worried that it appeared I was bragging. She offered that I wasn’t so much proud of myself—rather, I sounded like a proud father. And indeed, that is exactly what I was and still am—another ah-ha moment.
However, what was most significant about this extraordinary event was the realization of the number of lives these four chiefs will influence in the years ahead.
- How many sailors will follow them into the mess?
- How many junior officers will become admirals because of their leadership?
So, what’s your legacy?
