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Up from the ranks

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Normally, advancement from enlisted rank to officer can sometimes takes months or years. Not the case for Navy Chief Petty Officer Byron Rios, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron.

During the commissioning ceremony aboard a mock aircraft carrier flight deck in Hangar One at NSA-Lakehurst, family, friends and shipmates mustered to witness his transition from the enlisted rank of chief petty officer to chief warrant officer two.

"Chief Rios, it is truly an honor to be here with you on this joyous and significant occasion," said Navy Cmdr. Craig Speer, NSA-Lakehurst executive officer and presiding official. "This is a day of celebration, not only a celebration of your accomplishments as an enlisted Sailor but also a celebration of your new journey as a chief warrant officer."

Rios enlisted in the Navy in August 1997 and completed Recruit Training Command and Seaman Apprentice Training in Great Lakes, Ill. In the past 17 years, Rios has served nine and a half years aboard ship.

"I knew from the beginning I wanted to do the most I could in the military," said Rios, a native of Managua, Nicaragua, and raised in Miami. "I pretty much knew when I joined the service I wanted to be a chief."

The U.S. Navy Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer programs make up more than 11 percent of the officer corps, providing technical managers and technical specialists who exercise leadership in key positions throughout the service. The LDO/CWO academy is a four week course located at Newport, R.I., designed to prepare prior enlisted Sailors for their new role in the wardroom.

"I want to be the bridge between the enlisted and the commissioned officers, so I took the path of CWO," said Rios. "Chief warrant officers are the technical experts, and I will still get to keep 'chief' in my title."

Much is expected from future limited duty and warrant officers and applicants seeking entry into the program must demonstrate superior performance at sea and provide a commander's recommendation and appraisal letter from unit members. At the academy, LDO/CWO are prepared to become effective leaders by developing fundament leadership skills, written and oral communication, career management and administration. 

Retired Lt. Cmdr. Donald George, Rios' former commander, conducted the transitioning ceremony.

Chief Petty Officers Everette Parker, Shawn Lawrence, Miguel Fuster and Enrique Gerald removed and retired Rios's chief petty officer devices and cover.

"I'm very proud of him, he has been a mentor to me," said Gerald, 87th CES. "He has been an inspiration to everybody all around us and to see him get promoted is purely something everybody is happy for."

The honors of donning an officer uniform were performed by Maria Baltodano, mother, son Byron, and daughters Bryanna and Zeta.

"I am humble, it has been a long road to be here," said Rios. "We all know where we want to be, but it is kind of hard to get there, we always need that little push to get us to the next level. I have been blessed not by my accomplishments, but by having the opportunity to serve under great leaders."

Rendering the first salute and receiving a silver dollar from the new Chief Warrant Officer two were Navy Seamen Andrew Reyes, 87th Force Support Squadron and Kayla Laorosa, 305th Air Mobility Wing.

"Chief Rios, your record and personal integrity speaks for itself, the Navy has chosen wisely and I welcome you into the wardroom," said Speer.

"Today, the U.S. Navy continues this tradition where exceptional chief petty officers receive a presidential commission and a promotion to chief warrant officer. These Sailors are the best of the best, the cream of the corps," Speer continued.