Atascadero native becomes one of the Navy’s newest chief petty officers
Navy Chief Yeoman Amanda Herman, from Atascadero, was recently promoted to chief petty officer. Chief Hermann, an Atascadero High School graduate, is currently serving with the Office of Naval Intelligence in Millington, Tennessee.
More than 280 sailors at various commands around the world promoted during 2016 Chief Pinning Ceremony
– Navy Chief Yeoman Amanda Herman, from Atascadero, was recently promoted to chief petty officer. Chief Hermann, an Atascadero High School graduate, is currently serving with the Office of Naval Intelligence in Millington, Tennessee.
“Being selected as a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy is a great honor,” said Hermann. “It is one that I will uphold every day that I put on the uniform.”
More than 280 sailors at various commands around the world were promoted during the 2016 Chief Pinning Ceremony. This ceremony is a long time Navy tradition dating back to 1893 when the chief petty officer pay grade was first created.
“The selection process for promotion to the rank of chief petty officer becomes more and more difficult each year,” said Marilyn Kennard, command master chief Naval Support Activity Mid-South. “With their increased rank, will come increased responsibility. For nearly six weeks after the selection results for chief are announced, we mentor, guide and provide extra training to help ensure a smooth transition into key leadership rolls.”
To be selected for this promotion, Sailors must be a petty officer 1st class, and go through two qualifying factors; a job based exam, and a review board. A petty officer 1st class can only go through the review board after they score high enough on the exam. Each job has different requirements for their chief petty officers.
Before the new chief can wear their new rank and anchors on their uniform collars, they must complete a six week long training filled with testing, mentoring, and challenges to make them the best chiefs they can be.
“Serving in the Navy means you are willing to adopt a lifestyle that not everyone chooses,” said Hermann. “It means holding yourself to a standard set forth by tradition. I would not ask for my life to have gone any other way because it has led me to become a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy.”
During the ceremony, the honored sailors invite friends and family members to pin on the two gold anchors to the newly appointed chief’s uniform, while the sailor’s sponsor places the combination cover on their heads.
