On Sept. 18 the USS Camden (AOE 2) promoted her first ever Chief Warrant Officer 5. Camden’s ship’s Bos’n, CWO4 Max Eilers, took the oath and became one of only 29 warrant officers selected to W-5 this year. The Navy started the new W-5 pay grade last year.

Eilers has had a long and proud naval career. He joined the Navy in August 1974. He became a chief petty officer in 1986. After being selected for senior chief boatswain’s mate he applied and was selected for the Chief Warrant Officer program and was commissioned as an officer on June 1989.

What makes Eilers’ career so remarkable is the amount of time he has spent at sea and on Fast Combat Support Ships (AOE).

In 30 years, he has had only one shore tour which was at Great Lakes. With the exception of one tour on a frigate, Eilers’ sea career has been primarily on AOE’s. Even more interesting is the fact that this is his third tour on the Power Pachyderm of the Pacific. With a legendary superior record of performance at every command he’s been at, he truly embodies the seasoned skills and technically knowledge of being an “Old Salt.”

Eilers says that the best part of his career is being a mentor to the junior enlisted.

“To me the most enjoyment I get out of any day at work is when a young seaman comes and shows me his or her idea on how to do something. When I tell them it looks like their idea just might work, they are in hog heaven,” he said.