European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 15, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stars and stripes monday september 15,1986 to i chief Pelt officer Kathryn hu1 re lit with Petty officer 2,c, Joh Nna while. Earning their place in the old Goat locker  writer Naples Italy  earn Hal title and you know you be reached the top or the Heap. You re entitled to put on the khakis Hanson the anchors go to the old goats locker and join the mysterious rituals of the . Navy s Royal ranks of chef Petty officers. A Coly officers first class Navy wide till earn in secret initiations today the anchors worn  chiefs col Lars. They May already have he rank but the opera Tive word Here is  ask the new Boot chief what went Tondu Ringhiser her initiation and you la gel silence or sarcasm. Walking Over the hot coals was t so bad although the broken Glass Hurt a Little one old Goat said. Old goal does t sound much like a compliment. Among chiefs it s a term of endearment. Another talked about being branded with the letters co chief Petty officer somewhere on his Anat omy. He declined to say where. The Point is Hal the initiation requires an oath of silence and secrecy the theory being that business among chiefs remains among chiefs. It adds to the mystique of the chief. When a Sailor makes chief he or she is transformed. Master chief Petty officer John Morton it s like a Caterpillar becoming a Butterfly right Down to the clothes. He gets to put on his chiefs hat crawl into his khakis spread his wings and take charge. Lower enlisted sailors Don t Wear khakis. Only officers and chiefs do. Master chief Petty officer John Morton is in aviation maintenance. He recalls the time shortly before he became a chief. This Guy wanted some work done Morton said i told him he needed the proper paper work. He gave me All kinds of flak. His division officer came and gave me All kinds of flak. One week later i made chief. This same Guy came Back for another Job. I told him you need inc proper paper work he said yes chief " there s something magic about pulling the khakis on he said. The title of Navy chief carries the weight of All past and present chiefs with it. Part of the chiefs duty is 10 guard the title from anything thai would Sully or dilute it and the respect that goes with it. The Grade equivalent of the Navy chief in the army is sergeant first class master sergeant in the air Force and gunnery sergeant in the marines. But a Navy chief will say thai none of these is quite the same Morton defined a chief As someone who his acc uni