23 October 2009

The last one

Everything comes to an end, sooner or later. Boilers, in the Navy, have had their day:
A retirement ceremony was held at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek to bid farewell to the Navy's last master chief boiler technician. In June 1979 in Eastwood, Kentucky, a young, seventeen-year-old boy decided to enlist in the Navy. Thirty years later the Navy bids farewell and following seas to Force Master Chief Jerry Haueter. In attendance was Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West as the guest speaker, Haueter's wife Cindi, daughter Tiffany, granddaughter Tegan, as well as almost 300 guests, including 40 family members who traveled from Kentucky to attend Haueter's retirement.
"I am a very blessed man to have been a part of this organization, and for the support and understanding that I have received from my family during my career," said Haueter.
From the start of Haueter's career he was committed to the Navy, doing the best job he could and giving back to the organization.
"He just never stopped working, never stopped thinking about ways to make this Navy even better than it is," said West. "He never stopped caring about his Sailors. He didn't know how to turn that part of his life off and that's what made him one of the best master chiefs of our generation."
Right before becoming Force master chief for Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Haueter was thirty days away from starting his terminal leave for retirement. His family and respected friends encouraged him to apply for the position of Force master chief. "So at the urging of my wife and my admiral I threw my name in the hat," said Haueter. "Low and behold I was selected."
From the beginning of his career Haueter knew he wanted to complete at least twenty years. That changed the longer he was in the Navy. "The Navy was never a job for Jerry and it was more than a career, it was a vocation, a calling," said West. "He's had the Navy in his soul, and you know it's never going to leave."
As he reflected on his time in the Navy, Haueter's advice for sailors was simple: work hard and don't be afraid to make mistakes. "I'd like to think that leadership would let Sailors make some mistakes along the way. I learned more from the mistakes I made in my career than I have in any school I ever went to," said Haueter. "But, if you show up on time, work and try hard, chances are you are going to be successful in this organization." That advice served Haueter well for 30 years.

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