When I first came in, I set goals for myself. I've worked really hard for this. Every year, I had hopes of making it. Once a chief, enlisted sailors wear khaki uniforms similar to those the officers wear, except they sport gold anchors on their collars rather than bars. They get better parking.
Chiefs have their own mess hall.
But mostly, they get more respect. We look to them to teach the junior people technical skills. Master Chief Petty Officer Harry Kantrovich, Mine Warfare Command's Command Master Chief, said that with the Navy downsizing, chiefs now have more opportunities to lead. The rite of passage into the rank dates back more than 100 years, Kantrovich said. And part of the responsibility will be to lead by teaching, which some suspect may be difficult after years of being the one delegated to.