and chief pharmacist’s mate. Within a year, the service issued new guidance, increasing the 11 original chief ratings to 18. The chief rate’s emblem is symbolized by a fouled anchor with a shield superimposed on its shank. The anchor represents stability and security reminding chiefs of their responsibility to keep those they serve out of harm’s way. The symbol of the shield dates back to 1799, when Congress added the shield to the Revenue Cutter Service’s ensign to distinguish its cutters from other naval vessels. The 13 stars and 13 stripes represent the original 13 states to ratify the Constitution. The chain symbolizes strength with each link representing the reliance of the Chief Petty Officer on others and to avoid being the weak link in the chain. The chain fouled around the anchor represents the “sailor’s disgrace,” reminding chiefs that there are times when events are beyond their control, but they must complete their duties nonetheless. The chief’s uniform was designed in the early 1920s, and African American Chief Boatswain George Pruden, who became the first minority chief in 1922 and the Officer-in-Charge of the Pea Island Lifesaving Station. (U.S. Coast Guard) it first appeared in the Coast Guard Uniform Regulations of 1922. The design was very similar to the Navy’s chief uniform with the exception of the Coast Guard distinguishing mark—a shield one inch in height, on the arm midway between the wrist and elbow. Similar to Navy custom, Coast Guard chiefs initially wore khaki uniforms like commissioned officers. However, in 1972, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Chester Bender introduced the “Bender Blues” uniforms to differentiate Coast Guard personnel from their Navy counterparts, and the khakis were retired. When an enlisted person advances to chief, they don the white combination hat, also known as “The Hat.” This white cover with anchor insignia over the brim has become the trademark of the Coast Guard chief. Since its introduction, this has become a distinctive symbol of the chief’s authority. It is unknown who was the first chief appointed in the Coast Guard in 1920, however, the first minority chief was African- American, Chief Petty Officer George Pruden, who advanced in 1922. The first Native-American chief, Chief Petty Officer Harold Quidgeon, and the first Hispanic-American chief, Chief Petty Officer Joseph Aviles, both advanced later in the 1920s. The first Asian-Pacific-Island-American chief was Chief Petty Officer Melvin Bell, who advanced in 1944. In 1942, enlisted women in the Women’s Reserves, or SPARs, advanced to chief petty officer, but in 1977, Chief Petty Officer Connie Swaro became the first active-duty woman to make chief. In the post-World War II economic boom, senior enlisted men could not advance beyond chief, and left the service to land well-paid jobs in the burgeoning economy. On May 20, 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower signed Public Law 85- 422, establishing the rates of senior chief and master chief petty officer. This was intended to reverse the flight of these experienced chiefs to the civilian labor market. In 1969, the service also established the rate of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG), the senior-most enlisted position in the Coast Guard. In August 1969, Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Calhoun became the first MCPOCG. Since 1920, chiefs have served many roles. These include teacher, parent, rating specialist and mentor. In the first years of the rate, chiefs accrued knowledge and skill from experience and on-the-job learning. In modern times, senior enlisted personnel have undergone training at every level before advancing to chief. In 1982, to add to chiefs’ training and professionalization, the service established the Chief Petty Officer Academy at the Reserve Training Center in Yorktown, Va. In 1985, as part of a consolidation effort, the Academy was moved to Training Center Petaluma in Northern California. Today, all enlisted personnel advanced to chief must attend the CPOA. Over the years, the Coast Guard chief has become a linchpin Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Calhoun was the first Coast Guardsman advanced to the rate of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard in 1969. (U.S. Coast Guard) to the service, able to advise petty officers and commissioned officers in the chain of command. Many of these chiefs have been recognized as cutter namesakes, including Chief Petty Officer Alex Haley, MCPOCG Charles Calhoun, Chief Petty Officer John Midgett, and the dozens of chief namesakes of new fast response cutters. They are all honored members of the long blue line. � Issue 2 • 2020 � RESERVIST 51
