NTAG Great Lakes & Mid America Celebrate CPO Heritage Day in Chicago
Chief Petty Officer Selects and the Chief's Mess from both Navy Talent Acquisition Group Great Lakes and Navy Talent Acquisition Group Mid America participated throughout the day's events.
Despite steady rain throughout the day, the event began at Soldier Field with a welcome, safety brief and guest speaker remarks from Capt. Kent Davis, commanding officer of Recruit Training Command and a former Chief Petty Officer. Following the brief, Sailors gathered for a group photograph in the south-side stands before beginning their march through Chicago.
Throughout the day's march, the Sailors were escorted by the Chicago Police Department, who provided support and assistance along the entire route through downtown Chicago and helped ensure the group could safely travel between each historic location.
As they exited the stadium, the Sailors passed the Soldier Field Memorial Water Wall and continued along the lakefront before arriving at the Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain, where a group of Chief Petty Officer Selects delivered a historical brief.
The Chief Selects continued through downtown Chicago to Abraham Lincoln: The Head of State statue, where another group provided a historical presentation highlighting the significance of the location and its connection to American history.
From there, the Sailors marched through The Loop before stopping at the Eternal Flame Memorial. A group of Chief Petty Officer Selects delivered remarks before the formation observed a moment of silence to honor fallen service members.
The group continued toward the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where another moment of silence was held in remembrance of those who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War.
The march then continued toward the U.S. Navy Submarine Memorial. At the memorial, the final group of Chief Petty Officer Selects provided a brief on the location and its significance to the Navy, followed by another moment of silence honoring submariners and other Sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Following the memorial stops, the group began the return march along the lakefront toward Soldier Field, taking a brief rest break along the way before completing the route.
Upon returning to Soldier Field, Sailors were provided lunch while members of the Chiefs' Mess took time to sign Chief Petty Officer Charge Books, a longstanding tradition symbolizing the responsibility and heritage entrusted to newly selected Chiefs.
Chiefs' Mess members from both Navy Talent Acquisition Group Great Lakes and Navy Talent Acquisition Group Mid America also operated merchandise tables, giving Sailors an opportunity to purchase unique Chief's Mess souvenirs, including themed challenge coins and T-shirts.
The day's events concluded with Chief Petty Officer Selects gathering for a photograph in front of the Spirit of the American Doughboy statue at Soldier Field.
Chief Petty Officer Heritage Day serves as an opportunity for Chief Petty Officer Selects to learn from the history and traditions of the Navy while strengthening bonds with Chiefs and fellow Selects. The event reinforces the values, leadership and legacy expected of Sailors entering the Chief Petty Officer community.
Navy Talent Acquisition Group Great Lakes proudly serves 50 recruiting stations across Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, Eastern Wisconsin, and the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our mission is to recruit the best and brightest of the next generation of Sailors through our enlisted and officer programs to serve in the U.S. Navy.
Navy Talent Acquisition Group Mid America, a command under Navy Recruiting Command, recruits the next generation of Sailors across Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Kentucky through outreach and mentorship to sustain the Navy's all-volunteer force.
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