April 1 has a prouder distinction than just April Fool's' Day. It's the recognized birthday of the chief petty officer, the Navy's proudest rank for 122 years. It's April 1st and along with being April Fool's day, it's also the day the Navy used to recognize as the "birthday" of the chief petty officer.

Chief's messes around the globe are holding gatherings to honor the day, in 1893, when the Navy advanced the first sailors to chief.

At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal.On this day, in 1893, the Navy advanced it's first sailors to the rank of chief petty officer, a nearly a month after announcing the new pay grade in a Navy Circular message, the NavAdmin messages of the day.

All over the Navy today and tonight, chief's messes and associations around the Navy will hold balls and other commemorations. One of the largest in the service

"The appointment of the first chief petty officers was not a major event of the day," wrote Master Chief Information Systems Technician James Leuci, in "A Tradition of Change," CPO Initiations to CPO 365 — a document that summarizes Leuci's two year deep dive in a history of chief petty officer culture. to the history of the chief petty officer and specifically the custom of chief's initiations.

Leuci wrote that The first chiefs really didn't bear a higher status than other enlisted sailors. They wore the same uniforms, ate in the same mess. They weren't even get paid more for a time, Leuci wrote. hold a higher enlisted status over other sailors and at the moment, the creation of a new petty officer pay grade wasn't a big deal

"In fact, there is no mention of the establishment of the CPO ratings in the Secretary of the Navy's annual reports to the U.S. Congress in 1893 or 1894," he said.

A lot's changed in My how things change in 122 years. Today, the chief petty officer has evolved into what many call the "backbone" of the fleetNavy, responsible for keeping the Navy running, while teaching sailors and officers alike. It's a role and responsibility unique in the military and one that has continued evolving, with chiefs taking on more responsibility than ever before. They frequently drive ships into port — normally an officer job — and shape Navy policy. Those changes are good and necessary, said the Navy's top chief.ed. mentoring and guiding the Navy both up and down the chain of command — a unique position in a military organiztion and one that has changed and evolved over the years.

In fact, change isn't only in the title of Leuci's history, it's also is the part of the theme of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Mike Stevens annual birthday message to the Navy's chiefs mess at large.

"One thing that CPOs have always excelled at, despite the challenges, is our ability to recognize and implement change," Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Mike Stevens said in his birthday message to chiefs. wrote in his "letter" that was released March 31 by the Navy. "Without change, there is no progress. Change is not always easy, but that's OK, because hard is what we do."

Stevens says the Navy's history over the past 239 years, 122 years of that with CPO's onboard is a story of progress, which is the

And not all change and resulting progress in the Navy has been easy, he said.

Stevens, who has long admired and studied President George Washington quotes the first president in the message, saying "The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph."

"We went from wind-powered sails to coal-powered steam. Now we sail under nuclear power," Stevens wrote. "Our aircraft have gone from propeller power to jet power. We went from CPO Initiation to Transition to Induction and now CPO 365."

And it's the responsibility of the chief to make sure the Navy stays on course.with progress.

"Chiefs, I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you. I've had the opportunity to be a member of our CPO Mess for two decades, and I can tell you today with great confidence that our CPO Mess has never been better. You should feel good about who you are, what you represent, and your ability to lead our Sailors," he concluded his message saying.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for 122 years of excellence."

Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.

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