Navy
Navy celebrates 132 years of the chief petty officer
Stars and Stripes
April 1, 2025
Chief Culinary Specialist Renelyn Huston, from Castle Rock, Colorado, and Chief Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) Brian Kehoe, from Blairstown, New Jersey, cut the birthday cake during the 132nd birthday celebration of the U.S. Navy chief petty officers onboard Naval Base Point Loma, April 1, 2025. (Aaron T. Smith/U.S. Navy)
Behind every great sailor, is a great chief petty officer. On Tuesday, U.S. Navy chief petty officers celebrated 132 years of leading, mentoring and developing sailors.
Chief petty officer (E-7) became an established senior enlisted rank of the U.S. Navy on April 1, 1893. Over half a century later, senior chief petty officer (E-8) and master chief petty officer (E-9) were added, completing what is now known as the Chief’s Mess.
Those who hold the ranks of E-7 to E-9 are well-respected in the Navy. Chiefs are expected to be experts of their rate, and are in charge of upholding tradition and enforcing discipline in their junior and senior sailors.
Senior Chief Logistics Specialist (Submarine) Daniel Dumitrache, chief of the boat for the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772) and from Phoenix, Arizona, speaks to chief petty officers during the 132nd birthday celebration of the U.S. Navy chief petty officers onboard Naval Base Point Loma, April 1, 2025. (Aaron T. Smith/U.S. Navy)
Chief Information Systems Technician Steven Wolski, the youngest Chief Petty Officer (CPO) aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), left, and Master Chief Avionics Technician Michael Armetta, Makin Island’s oldest CPO, right, participate in a cake cutting with Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Jorrel Reich, CMDCM of the Makin Island, during the Chief Petty Officer birthday celebration on the mess decks on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Joshua Martinez/U.S. Navy)
Most current and past chief petty officers of NMRLC were on hand to acknowledge their birthday in the service and highlight the 132nd celebration of the rank. (Julius Evans/Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command)
Expeditionary Medical Facility Kilo Command Master Chief Chelsea Turner, left, and Hospital Corpsman Chief Amanda Marshall, cut a celebratory cake after morning colors at the flagpoles in front of Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Justin Woods/U.S. Navy)
Capt. Jeff Yackeren, commanding officer of Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL), Cmdr. James Gallager, executive officer of NBPL, and chief petty officers pose for a group photo at the Roncador Memorial during the 132nd birthday celebration of the U.S. Navy chief petty officers onboard NBPL, April 1, 2025. (Aaron T. Smith/U.S. Navy)
A cake is posed for camera during a celebration for the Navy Chief birthday at Naval Safety and Environmental Training Center. (Benjamin F. Davella III/U.S. Navy)
Senior Chief Gas Turbine System Technician Juan Rosa gets promoted to master chief on the mess decks of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during the Chief Petty Officer birthday celebration on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Joshua Martinez/U.S. Navy)
Chief petty officers pose for a group photo during their 132nd birthday in front of Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. The rank of chief was established April 1, 1893, and is a symbol of pride across the Navy. Chiefs are considered technical experts in their rate and are mentors for both junior Sailors and officers. (Eric Stanton/U.S. Navy)
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Chiefs Mess pose for a group photo on the flight deck on Tuesday, April. 1, 2025. (Joshua Martinez/U.S. Navy)
Chief Petty Officers from Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) come together to serve lunch to staff members in anticipation of the 132nd U.S. Navy’s Chief Petty Officer Birthday, San Diego on March 31, 2025. (Marcelo Calero)
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery chief’s mess poses for a group photo after the 132nd chief petty officer (CPO) birthday celebration at Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Va., on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Bobbie A. Camp/U.S. Navy)
Chief petty officers assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) pose for a photo to celebrate the 132nd birthday of the chief petty officer on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Taylor Parker/U.S. Navy)
Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM) chief petty officers stand with Rear Adm, Daniel P. Martin, commander, Naval Safety Command, and honorary chief during NAVSAFECOM’s 132nd Chief Petty Officer Birthday celebration on Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Melissa Wenger/U.S. Navy)
The Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes chief’s mess poses for a group photo to honor the birthday of the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in Great Lakes, Ill., on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Kelsey Danner)