Page 12 - Mariner-Vol65-Issue1

NAVY NEWS, continued

MCPON Smith’s 129th CPO Birthday

Message to the Fleet

01 April 2022 On this day each year, we gather together heart of what our officers expect from us - and what our
around the world to reflect on what it means to be a Chief Sailors demand of us.
Petty Officer. 37,000 active and reserve Chiefs consis-
tently display a selfless dedication to the mission, putting Leadership is not an easy endeavor. Among other things,
our Sailors, our requirements and our Navy ahead of our it requires tough decisions that not everyone will agree
own needs. We commit ourselves daily to the strengthen- with, even though Chiefs specialize in building consen-
ing of our technical expertise and warfighting skills, with sus among leaders with disparate points of view. Honor,
a particular emphasis on the growth and development integrity, duty and self-discipline infuse our every action,
of our Sailors - those who will eventually relieve us. As in such a way that those decisions we make and actions we
a Mess, we work closely with each other, leveraging the take will survive the scrutiny of hindsight.
power of connection along a horizontal axis to collaborate
and find solutions to our most intense challenges.

This legacy of service has matured immeasurably over
the last 129 years, but the core expectations of our Mess
remain the same today as they did in 1893. This senti-
ment was best captured in an essay entitled “A Message
to Garcia” by Elbert Hubbard; much like 1st LT Rowan,
our Chief Petty Officers are not ones to incessantly ques-
tion or lack conviction, but instead take the commander’s
intent and simply get the job done - “to ‘do the thing’ and
carry a message to Garcia.” It is our initiative, our willing-
ness to boldly lead and perpetuate a culture of excellence
focused on achieving best-ever performance - that is our
true legacy. It has stood the test of time, and lies at the

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES04.01.2022U.S. Navy Band WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES04.01.2022U.S. Navy Band
220401-N-PN850-1021 WASHINGTON (Apr. 1, 2022) Master of 220401-N-PN850-1044 WASHINGTON (Apr. 1, 2022) Members
Ceremonies Chief Musician William F. Edwards, III salutes as the of the US Navy Chief's Mess gather for the Chief Petty Officer's
Navy Band plays the National Anthem for the Chief Petty Officer Birthday Celebration (U.S. Navy Photo by Musician First Class
Birthday Celebration (U.S. Navy Photo by Musician First Class David J. Hagee/Released)
David J. Hagee/Released)

12 The Mariner • 2022 SPRING Edition • Volume 65 • Issue 1