The 23 chief petty officers also celebrated their graduation from the Chief Petty Officer’s Leadership Academy and transition training, a course designed to prepare them to take on their new responsibilities as chiefs.

During the six weeks of schooling, the sailors received refresher training to reiterate leadership skills, and were given new information to take back to their commands, said Chief Petty Officer Dennis N. Abeling, one of the course instructors.

The last two weeks of training includes a physically challenging course, which many chiefs call “bootcamp.”

“The academy benefits all communities: the chiefs, the commanders, their sailors…their expectation level is high now,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Gary Laabs, command master chief, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. “The chiefs are now fully prepared to provide guidance to their commands.”

Working together during the training also helped the sailors complete tasks and make valuable contacts to help them along in their careers, explained Laabs, from Appleton, Wis.

They are now part of an exclusive club which is responsible for providing guidance and help to their fellow chiefs and sailors, he added.

“They share a unique bond now that they are wearing these anchors,” Laabs said.

The pinning, although an emotional and important achievement, was the easy part of her new promotion, explained Chief Petty Officer Christina C. Breeden, chief store keeper, Medical Logistics Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

She has a new vital responsibility to her unit since taking this step in her career.

Breeden, who is from Tampa, Fla., said the course introduced her to the “greenside,” or working with sailors in Marine units, learning close order drill, new terminology  and skills to support her unit.

 “It’s not about the individual, but to be there for your sailors 100 percent,” said Breeden.