Each year, U.S. Navy reserve and active duty units across the country hold Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremonies to signify a shift in responsibilities as new chiefs step into mentoring and leadership roles.
This year, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the United States military base in Burlington County, New Jersey, hosted two ceremonies, Sept. 13 and Sept. 16, 2025, during which 23 service members were pinned and received their combination covers.
This time-honored tradition in the Navy dates to 1893, when the rank of chief petty officer was created. Family, friends, and service members attended the ceremonies to recognize the achievements of their loved one.
Today, this tradition is no longer exclusive to the Navy.
In fact, four U.S. Air Force Airmen and a U.S. Army Soldier also earned the pinning of anchors on their uniforms and received their combination covers at the JB MDL ceremonies.
The Sailors, Airmen and Soldier participated in a six-week long course, which is called a season, where they were challenged to become subject matter experts across their respective fields.
“Everything we do has to have a reasoning and a teaching moment behind it,” said U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate Chief Brandyn Welch, Naval Support Activity Lakehurst transient line leading chief petty officer and an instructor throughout the 2025 chief season. “The season is designed to change [the service members’] way of thinking, to show them the stressors of becoming a chief. There are a lot of new responsibilities as a chief, so we push them to use teamwork, know their limits and when to lean on other chiefs when they need help.”
Throughout the course, service members dove into the history of the Navy, expanded their teamwork skills, tested their physical fitness and navigated different scenarios they may face as they step into a mentoring role.
“The season challenged me by pushing me past my limit, or what I assumed to be my limit,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lauriele McDermott, 87th Security Forces Squadron flight chief. “When people feel like they are at their 100%, they are only at a 70%, they don’t realize they have the extra 30% left of potential. This season pushed me into that 30% and enabled me to fully commit, give my all when I didn’t think I could.”
McDermott expressed that having Sailors in her flight motivated her to go out and seek what the chief season really was so that she can have a positive impact on her service members.
Welch emphasized that leadership and service is one of the core focuses of the chief season, which is how chiefs can best serve their junior enlisted personnel as they lead them each day.
“Their main mission is their personnel,” said Welch. “I like to tell them, your Sailors, Airmen or Soldiers don’t work for you, you work for them. As a chief, you’re looking out for your service members and doing what you can to help them succeed.”
Focusing on mentorship and leadership prepared them for greater responsibilities upon graduation at the ceremonies.
With each piping of the whistle, another service member entered the Chiefs’ Mess, symbolizing the completion of the six-week long chief season.
From learning how to navigate additional responsibilities to guiding junior enlisted, chiefs continue to serve as a bridge between officers and enlisted personnel.