Page 21 - Mariner Winter 2023 Volume 65 Issue 3 Jan

More than 60 chief selects were placed into five boat teams,
competing in the different events through the four days on board
the USS New Jersey. Each training day began with 0600 revile
followed by physical fitness on the pier. The various assignments
throughout the week were designed to build and enhance lead-
ership abilities, comradery, and teamwork.

“We came together and successfully executed the tasks given Command Master Chief, USS Cole James Parlier. He was the the CMC
to us with a mixture of Selects from around the country,” said of the USS Cole when it was bombed on October 12th, 2000.
Chief Select Naval Air Crewman Tyler Johnson from Fleet
Logistics Support Squadron 58 in Jacksonville, Fla. “Our boat
teams consisted of all different rates; many people you would
never think you would work with.”

Johnson was humbled to realize how quickly a group of strang-
ers came together to learn to march, call cadence and compete
in boat team competitions. “By the end of the week, we learned
to work together and use each person’s strengths to perform at
the highest level,” he said.

Other events, such as community relations projects, leading
physical fitness, and organizing a heritage run across the Ben
Franklin Bridge, were also assigned to the selects as undertak-
ings. Chiefs comprised of active duty, Reserve, and retirees,
from around the fleet came together to help guide selects with
the challenges brought about by the quick turnaround of daily
assignments, ensuring their success in one of the most antici-
pated events of the chief season process.
The Chief Army CW5 and Honorary Chief, Phillip Brashear handing
Chiefs lead training daily on a variety of topics including the graduation certificates to the selects.
value of effective communication, Sailor empowerment, dam-
age control, and warfighting. Each training ended with a ques-
tion-and-answer segment for deeper discussion.

In addition, senior Navy mentors joined the Battleship team,
including Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. John Mustin,
Reserve Force Master Chief Tracey Hint, RDML, and Honorary
Chief, Scott Fuller, as well as command master chiefs serv-
ing around the world. Additionally, the chief selects had the
honor of speaking with several special guests, including the 7th
MCPON Duane Bushey, Master Chief (retired) James Parlier,
former command master chief of the USS Cole and Army Chief
Warrant Officer 5, and Honorary Navy Chief, Phillip Brashear,
son of the renowned Master Chief Navy Diver Carl Brasher.

After leading the selects on a heritage run through Philadelphia,
CNR Vice Admiral Mustin spoke, reminding the Chiefs and
continued on page 22

The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association 21