Congratulations! Your Sailor got selected to become a Chief Petty Officer!
Cheers to the upcoming Chief initiation season full of training, little sleep, camaraderie and absolute rights of passage that will welcome the future CPOs to the Chiefs Mess.
Chief season is huge in the Navy realm and it is a way to initiate junior enlisted into the rank of Chief Petty Officer. The weeks of initiation can affect family and relationships due to the tough hours and little time at home. The tradition brings on a lot of training to get these future leaders ready to wear the rank.
If you are a new Navy spouse, or if your sailor has been selected and now you are scrambling to understand all the information they are throwing at you as they get ready for what is to come then I’m glad you are here.
First, let me get something clear…Chief Season can be different for everyone.
What is Chief Season?
Simply put, Chief Season is a six-week initiation tradition where newly selectees are tasked with what seems like an endless to-do list and training to learn lessons that will set them on the right path to understand the Chief brotherhood. The six-week event is finalized with pinning day, where the selectees who endured and made it through initiation can finally wear the Chief Petty Officer rank on their uniform. This also means the newly pinned Chiefs will be accepted into the Chief’s mess. The season ends with “Khaki Ball”, which is an exclusive celebration for all Chiefs and their spouses. Khaki Ball is not as formal (no need for fancy dresses) and Chiefs wear their khaki uniform (hence the name).
As a Navy military spouse, from experience, I can share that this season of change into the new rank ahead can come with different stressors. I am here to share the ways in which you too can survive through the next weeks to come and how you can support your selectee through this process.
Here are 5 pro tips for surviving Chiefs season:
1. Communication
This is what will have you either sink or swim through the upcoming six weeks. If leadership is doing their job, then your sailor will have all or most of the information needed for what is to come. The days are long and some training and events can happen on Saturdays, so keep communication lines open. They might not be home at their usual hours, they might be in and out a lot and some nights might be long. Talk about the days ahead, ask questions and understand that this is temporary.
2. Support
Be there to support your sailor. It can be stressful for some and the last thing they need is more stress at home. Keep an open mind and be supportive through this time. Seeking support is something that I personally recommend for spouses as well. Ask other Chief spouses in your community for advice, get to know the spouses of other selects, ask questions and ask for help if needed.
3. Stay busy
If you are very close to your spouse and do most things together then Chief Season might be tough. The lack of personal time that your Select will have to do other things besides season shenanigans will be limited. Stay busy, do things on your own, do not wait to have them around to run errands or do other activities because most likely they won’t be around too much. Reach out to friends to stay busy and distracted, work on using your alone time for the hobbies you love…use the alone time for self-care.
4. Focus on the bigger picture
Chief season comes with many stressors that not only affect your sailor but might also affect your dynamic as a couple and as a family (if you have children). It is important to be flexible. The hard work your select is putting in and the busy weeks will end in celebration. Focus on what is coming and your sailor achieving their goals. Acknowledge the process, embrace the chaos and understand that this is what needs to be done to get to the next step in their Navy career.
5. Learn the traditions
Chief season is a great example of the beauty of military traditions. The significance behind the season can help you appreciate what your spouse is going through and will help you embrace the weeks ahead. From the wooden boxes they will craft and call vessels, the charge books they will carry and decorate, burying of their white hat to commemorate leaving the first class petty officer rank to chief petty officer and pinning day, there are traditions that have taken place for decades, the ones that have changed over time and the ones that will be upheld for the years to come. The symbolism behind the traditions and everything they will achieve throughout those six weeks is worth learning, appreciating and will allow you to feel closer to your sailor throughout initiation.
The demands of Chief Season can be high and have a big impact on your lifestyle. Preparing to support your sailor, understanding the things you can and cannot control, staying positive, open-minded and most of all taking care of yourself as you support them can set you on the right path to survive the season ahead. Cheers to an amazing season to come!