There are many things that have impacted my life in a positive way as a result of my military service. For starters, joining the Navy was huge. It got me organized and opened my eyes to an entirely new world, and not just the military service world. The variety of experiences that I’ve had in the service interacting with people from all over the world has helped me grow as a person. However, from the day I entered service, one item or one rank in the structure of the Navy struck me as critical to the operation of the Navy. That item or rank was the position of the Chief Petty Officer. As I entered service I quickly discovered that the Chief was the go to guy and the old saying “ask a chief” had a profound meaning. The Chief was a leader, mentor, and an expert in just about everything, all qualities that I lacked at the time. Then, twelve or so years later, the life changing event for me of being selected as a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy came to fruition.
It was near the end of a typical long day at sea onboard the USS MAHAN, which had started for me nearly twenty hours earlier. I was exhausted and heading to my bunk to retire for the evening, or so I though. As I neared the ladder leading to my berthing area the ships Command Master Chief came over the general announcing system, or 1MC, with an announcement that would change my
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I had a hearty breakfast, a badly needed shower, and donned my service dress khaki’s for the first time. I proceeded to the ceremony site where I was joined by my wife, family and friends. The ceremony progressed, niceties were said by many, and the Commanding Officer stressed “the importance of role of a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy”. Finally, the time came to don the anchors of a Chief Petty Officer. My wife, along with my sponsor, joined me on stage to pin the coveted anchors on my collars and don the combination cover of a
starts out with Marine Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith on the bridge of the command ship Mt. Olympus, off Iwo Jima on the morning of 23 February 1945 with Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal who said that the raising of our flag atop Mt. Suribachi means there will be an Marine Corps for the next five hundred years. Smith commented “When the war is over and money is short they will be after the Marines again”, and a dozen Iwo Jimas would make no difference. The resolute general was voicing the frustrations of the many generations of Marines before him who had learned through hard experience that fighting for the right to fight often presented greater challenges than fighting their country’s enemies.
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
During his four years in the Marines Timothy has traveled throught the United States and around the world to Japan, Australia, Korea, Panama and the Phillapines. In Addition He has recieved numerous certificates of commendation for going above and beyond. Because of being such an outstanding Timothy and 13 others from his squad were invited to preform
For years I have aspired to become a part of an elite organization such as the military, and more importantly, the United States Navy. Its reputation for instilling high moral character was encouragement for me to develop into a more mature, responsible, and independent young citizen. There are certain qualities that an officer must possess such as: honor, courage, commitment, and attention to duty, responsiveness to orders, cooperation, loyalty, leadership, integrity, and discipline. Throughout my high school career, I showcased these qualities while an active member of The American Legion of Ohio Buckeye Boy’s State, The National Honor Society, as a leader in the Ohio State Highway Patrol Junior Cadets, Clay and Waite High School Marching Band Alumni, Quiz Bowl, and Top Ten Scholars. I was actively involved in charitable activities such as Math and SOS tutoring, community volunteering, and the Indian 100 Leadership Team, (a volunteer organization on my high school campus). I have shown strength, perseverance and leadership in my participation in wrestling, cheerleading, and bodybui...
When I joined the United States Marine Corps, I knew it would change my life, but I never realized how great those changes would be. I was trained in public affairs as a print and broadcast journalist, and immediately stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Drastic life changes can take a toll both physically and emotionally over time, and it is always important to have a great personal support system to thrive through those times. My senior advisor at the time, Master Gunnery Sgt. (Master Guns) Charles Albrecht, turned out to be one of the best supporters I could ever ask for.
As a cadet in the NJROTC program, the Navy's Core Value has changed my understandings of the role as a citizen of the United States. And because of honor, courage, and commitment it has somewhat helped me with what I've been through. Since I have took the time and actually understand what honor, courage, commitment means to me, it has assisted my everyday life and giving myself rules. And it has showed others the Navy core values, and doing so without telling but because of my actions. Getting the privilege to know honor, courage, commitment is like taking a big step in life.
First off, I want to start out by thanking you for going through the CCTI. Even though this time honored tradition has change a lot over the years (For the good and the bad) it is still a important part of our service rich heritage that is staying alive because of you and your fellow PCPO’s. A lot of E-7s will not even take two month out of their busy lives to learn about what it really means to be a Chief.
Murphy’s law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. As someone who bears the name I can attest the truth in that statement. I have an extremely blessed life and do not endure the suffering that many people do on a daily basis. However, I have bizarre connections to small misfortunes and circumstances that follow me back as far as I can remember. Any acquaintance of mine will attest that things in my life never go as planned and anything that can happen will. Yet through a collection of misfortune, one can still find solace and benefit through their tribulation and see that negative experience could actually be positive.
I have asked myself, “Why do I want to be a military officer?” I want to be a military officer so I can be a role model to all Soldiers and civilians. To be an expert in a field of study, so that Soldiers approach me for advice and be a leader to look up to. An officer that knows right from wrong, willing to put the needs of their Soldiers before my own. Lead, mentor, and form young Soldiers to know what it is to be an American Soldier. To keep the traditions of being a military officer as it moves forward in our generation. This is why I want to be an officer in today’s military.
I have led, recognized and employed the strengths and talents of those Airmen entrusted to me. I have lead from the front only because I have earned the trust of those behind me. I believe in and embody our service's core values in my personal and professional lives. I am the 'Whole Airman' through excellent technical aptitudes, unrivaled commitment to duty and a genuine desire to improve our force. Time and time again, and without reservation, my family and I sacrificed our wants and time for the demands of my profession. My family and I fully understand what this transition entails and as an officer, I will be fully devoted to the duties and Airmen entrusted to me. As a prior-enlisted officer, I will empathize with my Airmen ensuring their contributions are recognized and further develop them in every facet that is our Air Force culture. Finally, as a commissioned Airman, I intend to serve long and decisively to honor those that have served before us, my family’s proud military heritage and my wife and daughter…who drive me to be successful and strive for every new
As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed written by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to the Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend an NCO’s school.
All throughout school I have always held a title, in fifth grade I was President, sixth, seventh, eighth and freshmen year I was Vice President of Beta club, sophomore year I was class Treasurer, and Junior year I became secretary of both Student Council and the Junior class. Although I had previous experience in all titles my Senior year was where I gained the most knowledge and responsibility.
Leaders require essential leadership skills to effectively lead. The Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Academy teaches those essential skills to enhance leadership ability out in the fleet. During my time at the CPO Academy, I acquired vital knowledge and skills in leadership throughout the classes I took which I will be taking back to the unit. One class that had a significant impact was the Facilitative Leadership class which gave me the tools to effectively run a meeting. In addition, the Change Management class provided me with the skills necessary to support Command Policy and get crew buy-in. Lastly, the Stress Management class imparted me with knowledge on how to deal with stress and mitigate it.
I have been blessed to have led a highly fulfilling career over the past 22 years. The Air Force’s standards of conduct and performance have helped me mature into an adult while creating lasting memories along the way. I have had the opportunity to make significant contributions to my country that offer a sense of pride and personal achievement. My current duties allow me to directly contribute to the Air Force and Joint arena on an almost daily basis. Joining the Air Force helped me to realize I had undertaken a task bigger than myself.
I was married in 2004 and became a father for the first time in 2006, these two new roles also assigned me the roles of husband and father, but also added the role of provider for my family. I grew up in a tree stand hunting with my parents however, it wasn’t until I had my first successful hunt that I achieved the role of hunter, which in turn added to my abilities to fill the role of provider for my family. After successfully completing boot camp in 1999, I became a Coast Guardsman. This new role caused the greatest amount of role conflict in my life. The expectations of my friends who wanted me to be the same person that they went to school with and partied with, directly conflicted with the new standards of conduct that I was expected to follow as a member of the military. These incompatible expectations led to the weeding out of those friends who could not accept my role as a Coast