STUTTGART, Germany – The Chief Petty Officer (CPO) 365 Phase Program is in full swing for Sailors assigned to U.S. Africa Command and Special Operations Command Africa. 

Training sessions have begun taking place for fiscal year 2014 and sailors are honing skills they will need as they progress in their careers.

“Our First Class Petty Officers have been eager and engaging during our classroom and physical training sessions and that is a testament to their professionalism and ability to embrace the CPO 365 training overall,” said Chief Yeoman Kelvin Gumbs, U.S. Africa Command Flag Writer.

Due to the unique nature of the U.S. Africa Command and Special Operations Command Africa missions, Sailors benefit and draw upon leadership perspectives from various ratings across the Fleet and joint environments.

“What’s important is we communicate (the good and the bad) experiences of leadership, professionalism, and relationship building; and how it affects one’s ability to influence others.  We are obligated to our next generation to prepare them for challenging times,” said Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Robert Bowes who is on temporary duty assignment to U.S. Africa Command from Joint Special Operations Command.

Chiefs and First Class Petty Officers have spent time in the classroom covering topics per the CPO 365 guidance and focusing on ways to “team-build” and stay physically ready, while also have fun as a service element.  During the first PT session, CPOs and FCPOs played a game of basketball at the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Kelley Barracks gym. 

“The opportunity to get together on the court not only allowed us to exercise as a group, but to communicate with one another based on what we observed were the strengths and weaknesses of our respective teams.  Ultimately it was about camaraderie and esprit de corps, a competitive spirit and showing our Navy colors and unity as a group,” said Gumbs.

The U.S. Africa Command and Special Operations Command Africa CPO 365 program has also taken it a step further and has charged the FCPOs to conduct similar training for the Second Class Petty Officers assigned during “training lunches.” 

“Passing on the training we [FCPOs] received from the CPOs allowed us to add different definitions, traits, and perspectives of what professionalism is, and how we as Sailors have to remind ourselves and carry ourselves in a professional manner on a daily basis,” said Operations Specialist First Class Joseph Carroll, U.S Africa Command office of the Command Senior Enlisted Advisor.

As the fleet awaits board eligibility results, followed by rating quota lists and finally board selectees, U.S. Africa Command and Special Operations Command Africa Chief and First Class Petty Officers will continue to support their unique missions and complete CPO 365 training with Navy pride.