Nine join the ranks of the Chief Petty Officers Mess

“Surround yourself with those you want to be like,” says ACC Austin Reed. “Negative people have a problem for every solution. Positive people have a solution for every problem.

Reed was one of nine Sailors who were pinned as chief petty officers during a traditional ceremony Sept. 14, at the Catalina Club.

Reed has 15 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The other Sailors pinned during the ceremony are: MAC Travis Boyle, of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, has 11 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Lithia, Florida. Boyle’s advice to junior Sailors is “Study, study, study and take care of your junior Sailors.”

HMC Michael Bundeson, of Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi, has 19 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Roseburg, Oregon.

RPC Michael Clayton’s advice to junior Sailors is, “Good enough is never good enough.” Clayton has 10 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Atlanta, Georgia.

HMC Koleea Flagg, of NHCCC says, “People may not remember what you did, or even what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” Flagg has 16 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Atlanta.

ISC Jeffry Mazurek, of Navy Operations Support Center San Antonio, has 14 years of U.S. Navy service, is a native of De Soto, Missouri, and advises Sailors to “believe in yourself and be a team player.”

ITC Ross Tipton, of NOSC Corpus Christi, has 19 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Floresville, Texas.

ACC Timothy Wall, of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, has 12 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Houston. He advises junior Sailors, “With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. Be honest with yourself and your counterparts, and never be afraid to speak up for what is right.”

ATC Jeremy Williams, of NASCC, has 16 years of U.S. Navy service and is a native of Kerrville, Texas.

Attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer is a significant accomplishment in the U.S. Navy. The Chief Petty Officer rank is often referred to as the “backbone of the Navy,” because of the vast experience and high caliber of the Sailors who comprise this cadre of seasoned professionals.