David Tucker Retired Navy Capt. Robert Parsons (left) and retired Fleet Master Chief James Mitchell (right) pin anchors to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Ray Mabus, as he is inducted as an honorary chief petty officer at a ceremony held at Dahlgren Hall on the Naval Academy campus. USNA photo by David Tucker.

Mabus attended a variety of events throughout the day, beginning with the executive session of the Board of Visitors (BOV) meeting. The BOV meets periodically to inquire into the state of morale and discipline, the curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the academy.

From there, Mabus met with midshipmen from his home state of Mississippi, where he served as governor from 1988-1992, as well as several senior enlisted leaders who serve as advisors to the Brigade.

Mabus lunched with midshipmen from 11th Company in King Hall before proceeding to a reenlistement ceremony on board Yard Patrol Craft (YP) 685, where he reenlisted seven Sailors from the Naval Academy and Naval Support Activity Annapolis.

While underway on the YP, the SECNAV also observed a navigation and seamanship demonstration, including a man overboard drill conducted by midshipmen and enlisted personnel from the academy’s Waterfront Readiness Division.

Mabus had the opportunity to speak directly to midshipmen on the subject of leadership as part of a course in the academy’s Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law.

‘‘All of you have chosen a more interesting and ultimately rewarding way to spend this part of your life,” said Mabus in his remarks to the midshipmen. ‘‘You’re going to deal with bigger decisions than any of your peers.”

In the lecture, Mabus touched upon different qualities of good leadership, such as being honest, showing respect to all and not taking anything for granted.

‘‘Lead from the front, don’t ask somebody to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself,” said Mabus.

The day culminated in a ceremony during which Mabus was inducted as an honorary chief petty officer. Retired Capt. Robert Parsons, also an honorary chief petty officer, and retired Fleet Master Chief James Mitchell pinned the symbolic chief’s anchors on the SECNAV’s collar.

‘‘The pinning ceremony is an important part of our heritage,” said Chief Musician Nick Pastelak, a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Band and one of the masters of ceremony for the event. ‘‘One of the guiding principles of the chief petty officer’s mission and vision is to maintain a sense of heritage. Chiefs use heritage to connect Sailors to their past, teach values and enhance pride in service to our country.”

Force Master Chief Ronney A. Wright from Navy Reserve Force presented Mabus with a CPO ballcap in lieu of the traditional CPO cover.

In his remarks to the chief petty officers, Mabus spoke about his own experiences working with senior enlisted as a junior officer. He served as a surface warfare officer on board USS Little Rock (CG 4).

‘‘I, like every junior officer I think, learned very quickly to listen to my chief and take his advice,” said Mabus. ‘‘There’s not anything else that I’ve found that compares to what you do in the Navy. It’s a unique position.

‘‘No other organization puts so much trust in a group of people. To everyone here, thank you for this amazing honor.”