Frocking Honor
By Lt. j.g. Tim Mosso, NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs
Naval Air Station Whiting Field recognized the professional advancement of 25 outstanding Sailors at a frocking ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Base Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew Coughlin presented each selectee with a personalized frocking letter and congratulations.
The frocking honor is a Navy tradition whereby the selectee is authorized to assume the title, professional responsibilities, and wear the uniform of the next rank prior to the Sailor’s formal promotion.
The Sailors are authorized these privileges in advance of formal promotion on the basis of superior performance of duty and exhibition of exemplary character.
Coughlin used the occasion to acknowledge the caliber of the honorees and to implore each to embrace the expanded role each will play. Although the frocking distinction is granted in advance of formal promotion, Coughlin emphasized that the obligations of elevated rank became incumbent with immediate effect.
“Your appointment carries with it the obligation that you exercise increased authority and willingly accept greater responsibility.
“Occupying now a position of greater authority, you must strive with a renewed dedication toward the valued ideal of service with honor,” Coughlin declared.
He enjoined each Sailor in a brief discussion of the member’s service at the air station, and base Executive Officer Cmdr. Jonathan Lewis facilitated the awards as presiding officer of the ceremony.
Second Class Petty Officers were frocked to First Class, Third Class Petty Officers were frocked to Second Class and Airmen were frocked to Third Class.
Sailors from NAS Whiting Field who were selected for advancement to Petty Officer Third Class included the following members: Air Traffic Controller Airman Darrah Crow; Air Traffic Controller Airman Daniel Flores; Air Traffic Controller Airman Charlotte Miller; Air Traffic Controller Airman Noah Onevathana.
“It’s an honor to progress in rank, and I’m looking forward to continue to take on the new responsibilities that I’ve gained,” Miller noted.
Sailors who were selected for advancement to Petty Officer Second Class included the following members: Air Traffic Controller Third Class Jeffrey Wooten; Air Traffic Controller Third Class David VanMeter; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Jeremy Robertson; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Vince Pompa; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Zachery Pickle; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Zachary Nance; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Brad Lovin.
“It’s going to allow me to grow – give me more responsibility, and that is what I was looking for,” VanMeter reflected.
Additional Sailors who were selected for advancement to Petty Officer Second Class included the following members: Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Shawn Johnson; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Alvinet Johnson; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Tyler Hulshizer; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class David Harrell; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Benjamin Goebeler; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Dylan Forsyth; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Brian Courey; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Ogarry Clarke.
Clarke, who enjoyed the double distinction of promotion and recent selection as NAS Whiting Field Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the Third Quarter of 2011, derived great satisfaction from the occasion.
“It was a very fulfilling feeling. I know this is a competitive rate, to advance in this rate is a true honor,” Clarke exclaimed.
Sailors who were selected for advancement to Petty Officer First Class included the following members: Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Anthony Taylor; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Korinne Reese; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Johnny Payanomendez; Aircraft Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Roger Eagleson.
Eagleson rendered a satisfied and succinct verdict on his path to success: “it’s hard work, and this is a great feeling.”
Emerging challenges including Perform to Serve, high year tenure, and Enlisted Review Boards have cemented the primacy of advancement in Navy career progression. NAS Whiting Field Command Master Chief Rafael Rosado lauded the Sailors but stressed that looming DoD personnel reductions should inspire continuous efforts to excel.
“It’s exciting to see these Sailors achieve this significant milestone in their careers. We want to see everyone who wasn’t selected make it next cycle, and we are standing by to help,” he stated. “It takes a lot of hard work and preparation to be selected for promotion and all of NAS Whiting Field is proud of their accomplishments. So we congratulate them on their success, and they should enjoy it – but it is only one step in what we hope will be long string of accomplishments.”
