The Sea

My Brother and Shipmate Bob "The COB" up in Virginia passed this poem by an unknown author to me in email this morning and I was so enamored by the way it mirrors how I feel but could never compose words that so accurately express that feeling. I know this is COB's feeling, and others as well. Thought I'd pass it along for the inspiration and/or enjoyment of others.

The Sea is a choosy mistress

She takes the men that come to her and weighs them

and measures them

The ones she adores, she keeps; the ones she hates, she destroys

The rest, she casts back to land

I count myself among the adored, for I am Her willing Captive.

Fleet Broadcast Range

Having not checked this out much since I started this weblog, I was pretty well surprised that it has received as many visitors from this wide a range of locations.

I find it pretty cool that people in Japan, Spain, Egypt, France, Portugal, The UK, Switzerland, Brazil, and even Louisiana have seen this blog. Aloha and mahalo nui to all, and Kudos to the Duty Radioman for keeping those transmitters dialed in.

Today is the 116th anniversary of the United States Navy's establsihment of the Chief Petty Officer grade, marking the birth of one of the most effective, tightly-knit and unique professional fraternities the world has ever seen.

US Navy Chiefs around the world will pause today to reflect on the honored traditions of our Mess and the heritage associated with it. This is what binds us together as Brothers- and Sisters-In-Arms, enhances our effectiveness as Leaders and Mentors, and enables us to collaborate to solve problems, motivate our Sailors and ultimately, effectively fight the ship.


I became a US Navy Chief Petty Officer on September 16th 1984, before many of those serving in our Navy today were born. It was, without question the best day of my life. I learned how to be a Chief through lessons I learned from Chiefs for whom I had worked over the years as a junior Sailor, and closely observed the members of the Chiefs' Mess on my ship to develop my skills to first lead a shipboard Division of Sailors and ultimately serve as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding Officer. Those years brought me professional and personal fulfillment beyond words and to this day, having stowed my uniform some years ago, there is nothing more important to me than the CPO Fellowship in which I knew trust in the other Chiefs and made lifelong friendships.

Today I salute all of my fellow Navy Chiefs, as well as those who will follow in our footsteps, for your service and personal sacrifices, your dedication in the defense of our Nation's freedom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHIEFS!

Follow this link for detailed history of US Navy Chief Petty Officers