Navy Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Vincent Monaco of Middletown was recently promoted to chief petty officer, an accomplishment that only one in five eligible sailors achieve each year.
Monaco, a Middletown High School North graduate, is currently serving at Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic Fleet, according to information provided by the U.S. Navy.
“Being selected as a chief petty officer means being held to a higher standard and getting to make the Navy a better organization when I leave it,” Monaco in the statement.
According to Navy Personnel Command, there are only 8.5 percent of sailors currently serving at the chief petty officer rank. To be selected for this promotion, sailors must be a petty officer 1st class, and successfully navigate through two qualifying factors: a job-based exam and a selection review board. A sailor’s record can only proceed to the review board after they score high enough on the exam. Once the exam is passed, their records are reviewed by a panel of senior navy leaders who meet for six weeks to determine if the individuals meet the standards for selection as a chief petty officer. A sailor’s performance is evaluated for at least five years, and each sailor attributes different experiences for their selection, according to the statement.
“I mentored my junior personnel to help bring out the potential they didn’t know they had,” Monaco said in the statement.
During the ceremony, the honored sailors invite friends and family members to pin on the two gold anchors that adorn the newly appointed chiefs’ uniforms, while the sailor’s sponsor places the combination cover on their heads.
“Without the support of my family and friends, I would not be where I am today,” Monaco said. “Thank you to all my fellow shipmates who helped me along the way.”