Two separate ceremonies, Sept. 21, on board Naval Air Station Whidbey Island recognized Sailors joining the fraternity of chief petty officers (CPOs). One ceremony was held at the Naval Ocean Processing Facility (NOPF)/Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) at the base chapel, the other at NAS Whidbey’s Skywarrior Theater.

NOPF/NIOC promoted six CPOs and NAS Whidbey Island had 86 new CPOs in what was designated as class 114 in honor of the 114th year of CPOs in the Navy. The pinnings were the culmination of a six-week induction process, which prepares “the Chief” for new responsibilities.

“We have over 970 Chiefs on this base and it takes every single one of them being intimately involved in the training evolution,” said Chief Yeoman (AW) Diana Hutchins, the NAS Whidbey Island CPO Induction Committee Chairman.  “One person can’t do this; it takes all of our years of experience to ensure (the selectees) success.”

The pinnings were a family affair with selectees inviting friends and family members to pin their anchors on during the ceremonies. 

Chief Gunner’s Mate (SW) Eric Thompson is the fourth member of his family to make it to the rank of CPO, his two brothers, Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) (CTTCS) (SW/SS) James Thompson and Chief Air Traffic Controller (ACC) (AW/SW) Kenneth Thompson, and his sister-in-law, CTTC (SW/AW) Kimberly Thompson, from High Park, N.Y., who’s married to James all showed up to support their brother through his promotion.

“I was very proud when I heard Eric made Chief, I did everything I could to make it out here from the USS Ross (DDG 71) in Norfolk,” said CTTCS Thompson.  “It took us 15 years to get the whole family back together again.”

“What’s unique about our family is that we have CTTs, I’m an Airedale, and my brother’s a gunner’s mate, so we represent all sides of the Navy,” said ACC Thompson.

Another Chief family event happened when Navy reservist, Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMC) Laura Lemanek, who was pinned Sept. 20 in Chinhae, Republic of Korea, came to NAS Whidbey Island to pin her son, Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) (CTRC) (SW/AW) Joe Lemanek, stationed at NIOC.

“Crazy is the only way to describe this past 48 hours. I’ve had no concept of time and the only thing that motivated was thinking about my family,” said CTRC Lemanek.  “I’m just so excited to have my family here.”

“I was so happy I was able to get here (for the pinning),” said BMC Lemanek.  “It’s always impressive to see how we new chiefs are welcomed into the Chief’s Mess and having your family here is just incredible.”

Command Master Chief (SW) Stephen Reisnour, NOPF command master chief sees the new chiefs coming into the Chief’s Mess as a way to keep the mess in tune with the ever changing Navy of today.

“We’re dealing with changing capabilities that some of the older chiefs may be a little behind on,” said Reisnour. “This younger generation of chiefs brings that technological advantage to the table to keep us all up with the times.”