The crowd of Sailors and loving family members begin to wander into the refreshingly cool and dim auditorium. They fill the center section of seating. To their left sit 75 Wasp Sailors anxiously awaiting their names to be called in acknowledgment of their hard work, dedication and effort. As the final members of the audience take their seats, the volume of the room turns from scattered whispers to a rumble of laughter and conversation.
Suddenly, a distinct voice calls out, slicing its way through auditorium, “Stand By!” The room goes silent, and every Sailor pops to attention. The sea of Sailors in their green Navy Working Uniforms proudly await the entrance of their commanding officer, Captain Nakia Cooper. He enters, confidently walking toward the empty stage, he allows his Sailors to take their seats.
Within that crowd, Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Briana Lee awaits her name to be called with the 74 other Sailors. They are reminded by their captain what it means to be a Petty Officer in the United States Navy.
Petty officers have played an important role within the Navy since its conception. Initially, petty officers were members of the crew appointed by the ship’s captain, and they provided leadership among the enlisted members of the crew. Unlike commissioned officers, petty officers did not have a formal rank structure, uniform or insignia and only held the position while serving with that specific captain. In 1885, the Navy recognized three classes of petty officers: first, second and third. The following year, they were given the rank insignia consisting of downward facing chevrons below a perched eagle with a rating mark, commonly referred to as the crow. Promotion to this pay grade is more than just a new accessory to wear on the uniform, it’s the representation of leader and mentor to junior Sailors.
For Lee, being a leader is not new territory. The current president of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) has made it her personal mission to motivate those around her to be the best they can be. “I want everybody to win; I want everybody to succeed, and I don’t want anyone to be left behind,” said Lee.
She has maintained this mentality and has become a mentor to those within her division. When new culinary specialists join the ship, she expresses the value in being curious and asking questions about everything. She encourages them to get new qualifications and work toward winning awards.
For young Sailors, guidance can be crucial in their development. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Addison Bradford described it as understanding a Sailor’s goals and how to apply them toward the mission.
While serving as a petty officer second class, Bradford was dealt a Sailor who continued to have a problem. After numerous counselings, he realized that repercussions were not going to work. He took a personal interest in the Sailor and helped them to achieve Bluejacket of the Quarter which lead to an immediate, noticeable change in that Sailor.
A good leader should never give up on their Sailor. “You either have a Sailor with a problem, or a problem Sailor,” says Bradford. “Nine times out of ten, you have a Sailor with a problem.”
Being a petty officer is not always about motivation, corrective action and counselings. It’s also about being there for junior Sailors. Retail Service Specialist 2nd Class Dominique Gordon sought the care of her two injured Sailors who were in separate car accidents.
“Being their second class, I took it upon myself to step up,” said Gordon. “I took both of them to their surgeries, stayed with them the entire time and helped them through their recovery process.”
These attributes are just a small fraction of the leadership displayed around the deckplates of USS Wasp and commands across the Navy.
On that day, the 75 Sailors walked across the stage one-by-one. They met Cooper front and center to shake their captains’ hand and receive their frocking. Some, like Lee, are put on the crow for the first time while others are added chevrons beneath. Collectively, they are taking a giant leap in their careers and stepping into a strong and proud legacy of leadership. They will forever be able to say, “I served as a petty officer in the world’s finest Navy.”