McFaul's new chiefs beat the crowd

The Norfolk-based destroyer McFaul broke ranks Thursday and pinned its five new chief petty officers day earlier than the rest of the Navy. There was a good reason for that.

Sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer McFaul gather on the ship's flight deck for their chief petty officer pinning ceremony Sept. 15. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kayla Jo Finley

McFaul did so to accommodate a scheduled deployment. So even when a short-notice delay changed that deployment date, the ship held the ceremony so as not to exclude family members who’d traveled to take in the rich tradition.

Chief Logistics Specialist (AW/SW) Tamika Tillman receives her chief's cover during the destroyer McFaul's chief petty officer pinning ceremony. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kayla Jo Finley

“It was very important to have my family here with me today,” said Chief Logistics Specialist (AW/SW) Tamika Tillman.  “I can’t even describe what it means to have them present.” Tillman was pinned by her daughter, son, fiancé, fiancé’s grandparents and her best friend of 17 years.

Also entering the McFaul Chief’s Mess Thursday were Chief Engineman Christopher Brown, Chief Fire Controlman Daniel Chenowitz, Chief Sonar Technician Surface Johnny Nichols and Chief Fire Controlman Corey Stowe.

Command Master Chief (SW/SCW) Dianne Lohner shared the importance of the day and welcomed the new chiefs to the mess.

“Today, without a doubt, is one of the most important days in a sailor’s life,” said Lohner. “This is a day they will never forget.  Every year we are taken back to the day we were promoted. It is always an emotional day pinning our sailors.”

Command Master Chief (SW/SCW) Dianne Lohner grants "permission to enter the mess" to the newly-pinned chiefs aboard the destroyer McFaul. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kayla Jo Finley

Our hearty congratulations to the new McFaul chiefs, and to new chief petty officers everywhere.