The Navy's four top first classes were spot advanced to chief petty officer by Navy leaders in a Thursday ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Mike Stevens and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert spoke at the ceremony, part of an annual tradition that dates back 42 years.
The honorees pinned with their new anchors at the ceremony: Chief Construction Mechanic (SCW/EXW) Jimmie Bartholomew, the Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year; Chief Logistics Specialist (SCW/EXW/AW/SW) Blanca Sanchez, the Pacific Fleet's sea duty SOY; Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/EXW) Joe Mendoza, the Fleet Forces Command SOY; and Chief Steelworker (SCW) Brenton Heisserer, PACFLT's shore-duty SOY.
""It shows you how our Navy is evolving — expeditionary ratings are our Sailors of the Year," Greenert said, according to a Navy newsstand story. "It's a natural progression to who we are today and [it shows], as we look out to the future, the significance of these ratings and what they do, and how all Sailors have a very important part in what we do."
This week also saw the naming of Greenert's would-be successor, after three years in the Navy's top post and a career that has stretched four decades. Greenert said these selectees gives him hope for the future.
"For those of us who are serving and nearing the twilight of our careers, we wonder about the future and will people be here ready to stand up," Greenert said. "And you represent, as you know, a whole host of Sailors who are out there who will take the mantle, and it makes us feel very good about our future in the Navy."
Chief Construction Mechanic Jimie Bartholomew, the Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year, credits the work he did on his recent Afghanistan deployment for his selection.
Photo Credit: MC2 Eric Lockwood/Navy
