Page 22 - Mariner Winter 2023 Volume 65 Issue 3 Jan

BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY, continued

Big J, continued from page 21
selects that we are warfighters and maintaining our Navy After listening to Parlier speak about the role of being
Reserve warfighting readiness is crucial for the future. a Navy Chief, Sosa said it was clear what a Navy Chief
Words that were even more powerful alongside Parlier’s was: “caring for and leading Sailors through the ups and
presentation on his warfighting efforts onboard the USS downs. Being strong when expected to fall and showing
Cole in 2000. strength that can be emulated and that gives hope.”

“We intently listened to Master Chief Parlier share Closing out the long day of training was charge book
his experience as Command Master Chief of the USS signing. During this time, chief selects were given the
Cole when it was bombed in 2000,” said Chief Select opportunity to individually speak with chiefs, ask ques-
Personnel Specialist Karla Sosa from Commander, Navy tions and seek advice about what it means to be a chief in
Reserve Forces Command, Norfolk, VA . “He spoke of the United States Navy.
how his Hospital Corpsman skills came into play when
he was triaging fellow Sailors and friends, of the effects “Charge Entries were my favorite part of the day every day,”
of the crew upon him and of burials, surviving families said Johnson. “There are lessons that will stay with me and
and friends.” since they are recorded in my charge book, I can always
come back and look upon them for future guidance.”

The final event for the teams was planning a dining-in
ceremony for all 250 Chiefs and Chief Selects onboard,
a formal dinner ceremony that provides an occasion for
Chiefs to meet socially while bidding farewell to departing
Chiefs and welcoming new ones.

Closing out the week was the Big J’s CPO Heritage
Academy graduation ceremony. Special guest speaker,
Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer 5, and Honorary
Navy Chief, Phillip Brashear, (ret) encouraged the selects
to keep pushing forward. “Always be honorable and work
to earn the trust of the Mess and your sailors,” he began.
“One day, when your career is over, all that will remain is
your character. How my father’s character remains, how
my character remains, and how each of you, one day in
the future, your character will remain.”

As each select stepped up to the podium to accept their
graduation certificate, sealing their official welcome to the
legacy of battleship leaders who have come before them,
Klingenberg said there was only one word that came to
mind to describe how he felt having wrapped up the 13th
annual Big “J” heritage Academy.

“Empowered,” he said. “This is an experience I will
remember for the rest of my life. The happy sadness I feel
from leaving people who have made such an impact on
me in such a short period of time, but with the knowledge
and confidence, I will see them again. I feel, empowered.”

22 The Mariner • 2022 WINTER Edition • Volume 65 • Issue 3