Naval Hospital Sigonella frocks new Petty Officers By HM2 Joseph Castro U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - The Sicilian sun smiled brightly last June 4 over the frocking ceremony for 14 corpsmen advanced to the next rank in Naval Hospital Sigonella. “Frocking ceremonies ensure the continuity of leadership, resilience and excellence in our Navy,” said Capt. Patricia McDonald, Commanding Officer of Naval Hospital (USNH) Sigonella, “advancing sailors is one of things I enjoy most about my job”. The Navy tradition of frocking authorizes newly advanced sailors to wear the rank and assume responsibilities of the pay grade they are selected for. While the pay raise is not due to them until a few months later, higher expectations and new challenges are pinned along with the crows on their collars. Hospitalman 3rd Class Jeffrey Insixiengmay from Lakeville, Minnesota, is one of ten corpsmen advanced to the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class. “I have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” he said. “It took a lot of dedication and hard work but it all paid off, I am excited for the responsibilities that come with being a petty officer.” Becoming a Petty Officer in the Navy goes beyond additional responsibilities at the work center. It also means playing a part in the development of the Navy’s next generation of leaders. Hospitalman 2nd Class Cornelius Dillard is up for the challenge. “I have had great leaders in my Navy career that helped me get to this point,” he stressed. “I commit to making myself available to junior sailors and helping them advance in their careers as well.” Naval Hospital Sigonella’s Enlisted Advancement Program (EAP) was spearheaded by the Command Master Chief and various subject matter experts on different fields. Sailors who attended the EAP program had a 30% advancement rate for those going for E-4 and 50% for those up for E-5. The average quota for the corpsman rate this cycle was 9%.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 06:15:00 +0000
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