How to Succeed from Seaman Recruit (E-1) to Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)

By Eddie Occena Odango

The competition and advancement in any field either in the military or civilian world is increasingly challenging and difficult. An individual must have all the right credentials and qualifications. This book is an enhancement to your career in the military. There is no guarantee in any endeavor that you will succeed in every opportunity but with proper guidelines and perseverance the ability to compete and be successful in the promotion process will be in higher percentile.
Regardless if you are a newly recruit, a mid-career enlisted personnel or a Master Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, this book will be a major tool to help you identify those important elements on your career to help you or to help your personnel and subordinates succeed in their military fields.
This book is also an important reference for Junior Officers to Admirals during their military career for it will give them the reference as to what are the important elements and requirements for each rank. This will give the senior enlisted personnel and division officers a clear understanding as to what is expected in each rank. It is also an important tool when evaluation time comes.
Personal experiences and suggested readings in this book are not a final reference or directives in your promotions and advancement. It is advised that you refer to the current U.S. Navy directives and Instructions in your advancement process.
Wishing you the best of luck and success in your naval career.
All photographs and scenery used in this book are official U.S. Navy photographs, or U.S. Navy photo.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984534736

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Copyright © 2018 by Eddie Occena Odango.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2018907100

ISBN:               Hardcover               978-1-9845-3475-0

                          Softcover                 978-1-9845-3474-3

                         eBook                       978-1-9845-3473-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Use of release U.S. Navy imagery does not constitute product or organizational endorsement of any kind by the U.S. Navy.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 08/02/2018

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CONTENTS

Overview

Preface

Introduction

Chapter I          Seaman Recruit (E-1)

Chapter II         Seaman Apprentice (E-2)

Chapter III        Seaman (E-3)

Chapter IV       Third (3rd) Class Petty Officer (E-4)

Chapter V         Second (2ND)Class Petty Officer (E-5)

Chapter VI       First Class Petty Officer (E6)

Chapter VII      Chief Petty Officer (CPO) E-7

Chapter VIII     Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) E-8

Chapter IX       Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) E-9

Chapter X         Fleet, Force and Command Master Chief

Chapter XI       Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

Chapter XII      Fleet Admirals of the U.S. Navy

Chapter XIII    U.S. NAVY LODGES DIRECTORY

Dictionary Of Navy Slang

Bibliography

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US Navy Photograph

OVERVIEW

This book is dedicated to those who have helped me become who I am today and to those who have helped me achieve the highest rank of my naval career as Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) in the United States Navy. First and foremost, I thank God Almighty for all the blessings in my career and family. My thanks and gratitude to our dear Mother and Father, Nimpha Occena Odango and Demetrio Ruelo Odango, Sr. who served in the U.S. Army with the 47th Infantry, Special Services Division, United States Armed Forces, Far East (USAFFE) from 1941-1944.

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Odango’s Family Collections

They instilled in us the pursuit of our dreams and the determination to reach our goals in spite of the challenges that we may face. To my five brothers and six sisters (4 of which also served in the U.S. Navy) who inspired me to strive harder for the future of our family clan and to my brothers and sisters- in- law who were always there with us in all of our undertakings.

Their unselfish support and sacrifices helped our parents bring all my siblings here in the United States to seek for a brighter future. To my nephews and nieces (30 + in all) whose loving thoughts and care for each other, to their elders, and their preservation and continued practice of our family heritage and culture. They are the reasons for us to strive more and help them succeed in their careers.

To all my shipmates, friends, fellow sailors in the United States Navy and to all my comrades in arms from other branch of services who, in one way or another have helped me succeed. This is also dedicated to thousands of Filipino sailors who joined the service before and after me whose untold stories of extreme sacrifices and unselfish devotion to duties paved the way for us to overcome discriminations and open the gateway for advancements and entry into the different fields and ratings in the naval service.

This book could not have been written without the support and inspirations from my Children, Marie Anabelle and her husband, Chuck Preston, Kathlyn Rose and her husband, J.R. Macasaet, Priscilla Sue, Arthur Edward and grand daughters, Miahlyn, Angelina and Veronica. Thank you very much for your caring and love and your outstanding performance and diligence in finishing your degrees. We couldn’t be more proud for what you have achieved academically and especially in supporting and helping your Mother while I was underway all the time.

Most importantly, I lovingly dedicate this book to my lovely wife Melda Sibayan Odango, who inspired and supported me in all of my endeavors in my naval career and at times when I have to leave unexpectedly for overseas travel. Her sacrifices and loyalty especially on those long arduous moments of separations while I was on extended deployments, kept me strong and encouraged me to do my very best. It was not an easy task for her to take care of our four children while working full time as a registered nurse. Thank you sweetheart and I love you.

I do hope that this will serve as an inspiration and guidance to all sailors who are now serving in the United States Navy and to many others who will read this book. Furthermore, may they have a greater understanding about the U.S. Navy and how a sailor is molded from Seaman recruit to one day become a great leader of this country. Their judgment and decisions at times while performing their duties most specially while on deployment could affect the current situation and the future of this great nation.

Finally, my utmost gratitude to the Philippine government and the United States of America for giving us, Filipino citizens, the opportunity to enlist and serve in the U.S. Navy in accordance with the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 in lieu of the establishment of U.S. bases in the Philippines. We are truly indebted to this great chance of a lifetime. Many lives have been transformed for the better in the past, at present and future generations.

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US Navy Photograph

PREFACE

The sequences of events in this book are true experiences and real cases of evolutions. I tried to portray different scenarios and recapture those moments hoping that the readers or the sailors who read this can relate to it and learn from them. This will serve as reference to what’s forthcoming and prepare the sailors for advancement. In addition, they can identify the necessary steps and maximize their potentials for promotion.

This book will also give other navy personnel especially those in senior leadership positions, the understanding and expectations from every enlisted rank in the command. Although there is a rapid growth and great advancements in computers and technology, the human interactions, psychological traits and understanding of individual characteristics and behavior remain the same. The fulfillment of human needs, security, the pursuit of happiness, and achievements of one’s goal and aspirations is the focal point of one’s desire to achieve the highest level of his or her potentials. I hope that the very basic problems, circumstances and challenges in sailor’s life will find its answer in one of the chapters of this book.

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US Navy Photograph

May this book will serve as an inspiration and guidance to the wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and all the relatives and friends of service members. This will surely be an eye opener for us to appreciate the hard works, achievements, and sacrifices that our sailors have gone through. Most of this basic information is unknown to most of the common people. Knowing the rigors of duties and learning the process on how the service members advance in their fields or ratings and succeed in the navy will surely make a positive impact in the lives of both the sailors and their love ones.

If you are a recruit, or a civilian who has not experienced a Navy life, there are probably navy slang words I used in this book that is unheard or unfamiliar to you. I will refer to some of them and at the back of this book are the meanings of those acronyms and slang words. I intend not to use derogatory slang word or language but some of this slang holds neither deep meaning nor intent to disgrace or put down somebody. Although some words are not pleasant for civilians to hear or for people not familiar with the navy, these are just shortcuts and I should say just the lingo or navy jargon used by naval personnel since the beginning of time.

You might be reading this book out of curiosity or just to keep you occupied or maybe reading this from your i-book, i-pod, or tablet. I hope this book will be a resource to guide you and others who aspire to know more about our sailors and our Navy.

Maybe you are about to join the Navy or someone who just graduated from boot camp. Perhaps you are a Commanding Officer of a ship or shore command, Executive Officer, a Commissioned Officer, a Department Head, a Division Officer or one who just got out of college or Naval academy. Perhaps, you are a Command Master Chief, a Chief Petty Officer, an LPO of your division or an enlisted man or woman in the United States Navy. Regardless of rank or level of authority in the service, hopefully, this book will enhance your knowledge to some of the very basic concepts of our navy. Someone you know can use or learn from these experiences, ideas and circumstances. This book is like a video which you can fast forward to the chapter you want or rewind it and recollect those precious moments that had been long gone from the chapter of your life. It will surely bring memories and recollect your own story.

Where were you when you got out of boot camp? When you were bumped on your travel overseas at a MAC terminal? (The old Military Airlift Command). How did you get to your first duty station? Do you remember your first liberty port either in the Atlantic and Mediterranean seaports or in the Pacific, 7th fleet? This might bring some memories, but most importantly, someone is traveling now trying to get there and you will meet him or her soon.

INTRODUCTION

RANKINGS AND SLEEVES INSIGNIAS OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY

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US Navy Photograph

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US Navy Photograph

A Seaman Recruit (SR), Airman Recruit (AR), Fireman Recruit (FR), and Constructionman Recruit (CR), are E-1 sailors who just enlisted in the United States Navy and are bound for the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. There are four (4) types of Recruits depending on the field they are assigned to. In the following pages are the color-coded stripes worn by sailors to identify their specific field of skills while in the rank of E1 to E3. E1s has no stripe insignia worn on the sleeves.

Once an E3 is promoted to 3rd Class Petty Officer (E4), their ratings are no longer identified by colors but by the rating badge logo attached to their specific rank. These specific logos are attached all throughout their naval career from E3-E9.

A Seaman Apprentice (SA), Airman Apprentice (AA), Fireman Apprentice (FA), and Constructionman Apprentice (CA), are E-2 sailors who just graduated from boot camp and now wears two stripe on his/her sleeves.

A Seaman (SN), Airman (AN), Fireman (FN), and Constructionman (CN), are E-3 sailors who wear three stripes on his/her sleeves.

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US Navy Photograph

(No Insignia)

Seaman Recruit (E-1)

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Seaman Apprentice (E-2)

No%20Insignia-%20Logo-1.jpg

Seaman (E-3)

No%20Insignia-%20Logo-1.jpg

Third Class Petty Officer (E-4)

No%20Insignia-%20Logo-1.jpg

Second Class Petty Officer (E-5)

No%20Insignia-%20Logo-2.jpg

First Class Petty Officer (E-6)

No%20Insignia-%20Logo-2.jpg

Chief Petty Officer (E-7)

No%20Insignia-%20Logo-2.jpg

Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8)

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Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9)

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Command Master Chief (E-9)

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Fleet/Force Master Chief (E-9)

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Master Chief Petty Officer Of the Navy (E-9)

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US Navy Photograph

WHITE STRIPES

Seaman Recruit (E1) None

Seaman Apprentice (E2) two stripes

Seaman (E3) Three stripes

The white stripes identifies that the sailor is working as a Seaman whose job is not under the classification of Aviation field, engineering field, or Seabees / Construction field. Slang term: Black shoe sailor.

GREEN STRIPES

Airman Recruit (E1) None

Airman Apprentice (E2) Two Stripes

Airman (E3) Three Stripes

The green stripes identifies that the sailors’ field is in aviation rating. The sailor is assigned to a billet or command that has an aviation contingent or aviation components. These assignments can be in an Aircraft carrier, Amphibious Helicopter Carrier, Any ship with Aviation Unit attached or platform, a Naval Air Station, Naval Air Support Facilities, or a shore command with Aviation unit attached. Slang term: Airedale or Brown Shoe sailor.

RED STRIPES

Fireman Recruit (E1) None

Fireman Apprentice (E2) two stripes

Fireman (E3) three stripes

The red stripes identifies that a sailor is assign in Engineering Department as in the engine room and machineries. They are normally attached to an engineering department on board the ship, the department of the navy ships or vessels, and with engineering command on shore activities. Slang term: Snipes

BLUE STRIPES

Constructionman Recruit (E1) None

Constructionman Apprentice (E2) Two stripes

Constructionman (E3) Three Stripes

The blue colors identifies that a sailor is assigned to Seabees Construction Battalion. Normally, Seabees are not assigned to navy ships. They are the field engineers of the U.S. Navy.

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US Navy Photograph

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US Navy Photograph

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US Navy Photograph

CHAPTER I

Seaman Recruit (E-1)

(No insignia visible on the sleeves)

Perhaps you are now over 18 years old and a high school graduate. Going to college is not in the near future of your agenda. There are probably many reasons why formal higher education is not feasible at this time. Work is not as stable as it used to be and sooner or later you will have to leave home to be on your own. What if you get married and settle down? What kind of life you can give to your family? Financial burden always haunts you and the desire to succeed in your endeavors is a priority but the future seems bleak considering the qualifications you have. Labor force with minimum wage is the only one in sight.

You might be the one with all the chances in life to be what you want to be but due to some reasons, the desire to pursue college or learn special skills was not in your mind. Life is good and money is not an issue because Mom and Dad always provides. Enjoying life to the fullest is the priority. Why bother doing something different. Friends, parties, and good times are more exciting than serious work. But later in your life, you found out that time will never come back and that you grow older every day. Time is now of the essence in your life. What shall I do? This is the question you asked yourself and you can get no easy answer.

To some, you might be the guy or gal with the quench for learning and have an associate or bachelor’s degree but you cannot find the right avenue to pursue your civilian career. You are desperate for new challenges and eager to work on your field. But, employment is so elusive that you’d rather be doing nothing than working for a minimal wage for something you don’t have any desire of. Time is passing quicker than a blink of an eye and all you know, you are counting years instead of days without stability in your career. Part time job and unstable employment without benefits is not what life is all about. Military career might be an option at this time. You want the challenges in the military service, the opportunities that it can offer and you believe the navy will develop the full potential of your abilities and skills.

To others, you might be the one who has the desire to pursue your degree but unable to do so because of financial reasons. You heard about the educational opportunities in the military that if you have the desire and commitment and meet the criteria, the navy can help you achieve those goals and earned a degree and advance in your career. This might be the reason why you are joining the military.

You might be a married man or woman now. Building your future for your children is a priority. Life is hard. Financially and economically you are not doing well and the future is not too bright. Wishing for something you could have done differently is too late now. You have to do what you think is right because you love your wife and children and you want to do the very best to provide for them.

Perhaps, you are a single parent and because you want to provide a brighter future for your child, you decided to join the military for you know that the military service can give you unlimited opportunities and protection, health benefits, retirement and security for your family while serving your country and preserving our freedom.

Whatever reasons you have for not succeeding in achieving those dreams is irrelevant now. What is important is that you still have the desire and the determination to do whatever it takes and your dreams can come true. Your memory will bring you back to your high school years when you remember those uniformed navy people running around in the campus always talking to somebody. You ignored it and never put any thought of joining them. Or maybe, you have asked question just for the sake of asking and never have the desire to get more details.

You’ve learned that some of your friends have joined the U.S. Navy and came back with success stories and few came back with issues and has nothing to say good about their experiences. Is it for you? Or is it the trump card that you have in your hands. This is the decision time our life. You have nothing to lose but lot to gain. You consulted everyone that you think will have an impact in your decision making. Or you could have done it your own without anybody’s opinion and pursue the decision to join the service.

Does that sound familiar or none of the scenarios above fits the path where you are today? It does not really matter. What is important is that you are in now and you alone determine your future in the service. You alone hold the key to your career. Military service is an opportunity of a lifetime and it is up for you to make the best out of it. It is a proven turn-key plan.

You are basically given a key for your future. It is a pre-determined career that if you will do exactly what the service asks you to do and some, you will definitely have a successful naval career. It is like you are given a brand new car and the key is in your hand. It is going to be useful if you will turn the engine on and drive it for your convenience. But, that brand new car will never serve its purpose unless you know how to drive. It will be useless and will never get you where you want to go. Naval service is comparable to that, you learn it and drive it.

You are now in the recruiting office with your friendly recruiter and you choose the U.S. Navy aside from other services because U.S. Navy has the best information that you have gathered so far and the people around