Navy and Marine Corps personnel with the Joint Force Land Component Command and Joint Task Force 505 who are currently operating at U.S Forces Japan Headquarters joined the Navy chiefs for the ceremony which included a reading of the United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Creed, guest speakers Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, commander of the JFLCC, and Rear Adm. Richard B. Landolt, commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet in Okinawa, Japan, and a cake cutting ceremony.

The ceremony, a Navy tradition that honors the E-7 pay grade, is celebrated on April 1 throughout the Navy.

U.S. Marine Master Sgt. Cortez Pree, senior watch officer for JFLCC, read the message from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West. Pree was made an honorary chief after he completed the Chief Petty Officer Indoctrination while stationed in New Orleans.

“We're celebrating everything it means to wear the fouled anchors we all cherish,” West wrote in a message to the Navy fleet. “Those anchors are the symbol of a culture and a way of life, representing character, loyalty, a strong commitment to leadership, our core values, and Navy ethos. Our anchors carry with them a responsibility to live up to the tradition of selfless service, while remembering our proud heritage that we've spent 118 years building as we look toward our future.”

Brilakis and Landolt delivered speeches to the attendees with both emphasizing the importance of the Navy chief as a valuable asset as advisors and leaders to junior enlisted sailors.

“As a Marine who has spent almost three years at sea, I’ve seen what the chiefs do, what they can do, at sea and on shore. I’ve seen our chiefs take care of our Marines; build strong relationships, knowing how to get things done. The tie between the Navy and Marine Corps team is strongest at the level of the chief. My experience as a Marine is if I need something done and I’m working with the Navy, all I have to do is go ask the chief,” said Brilakis.

Landolt also explained how the Navy chief is known as the “go-to-guy” and stressed the importance of the chief’s role as an advisor to the commander.

“When I want to go at something, I want a chief by my side. I’m glad we a have a chief petty officer corps and I’m glad that we are 118 years later keeping this tradition alive,” he said.

The United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Creed was also read, as chief petty officers past and present stood at attention:

“This is why we in the United States Navy may maintain with pride our feelings of accomplishment once we have attained the position of Chief Petty Officer. Your new responsibilities and privileges do not appear in print. They have no official standing; they cannot be referred to by name, number, or file. They have existed for over 100 years, Chiefs before you have freely accepted responsibility beyond the call of printed assignment. Their actions and their performance demanded the respect of their seniors as well as their juniors. It is now required that you be the fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority in personal relations as well as in technical applications. "Ask the Chief" is a household phrase in and out of the Navy. You are now the Chief.”