Bergen Woman Promoted To Navy Chief Petty Officer

A Bergen County woman is one of the U.S. Navy's newest chief petty officers.

Chief Navy Counselor Antonina Cedeno has served in the Navy for 15 years since graduating from Lodi High School in 2001. She is serving at the Navy's New York Recruiting District office.

"The promotion signifies 15 years of hard work, failures, learning experiences and triumph," Cedeno said in a statement. "Thank you to my family. All of my success is as much mine as it is yours because, without your support and guidance, the woman I have become would never have been possible. You are the reason I am here today."

Chief petty officers are senior non-commissioned officers. They serve as both technical experts and leaders, with a special emphasis placed on the latter.

More than 280 sailors at various commands around the world were promoted during the annual Chief Pinning Ceremony. This ceremony is a Navy tradition dating back to 1893 when the chief petty officer pay grade was first created.

During the ceremony, sailors invite friends and family members to pin on the two gold anchors to the newly appointed chief’s uniform, while his or her sponsor places the combination cover on their heads.

To be selected for this promotion, sailors must be a petty officer 1st class, and go through two qualifying factors: A job based exam and a review board. A petty officer 1st class can only go through the review board after they score high enough on the exam. Each job has different requirements for their chief petty officers.

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Photo: Chief Navy Counselor Antonina Cedeno's family pins two gold anchors on her uniform during the annual Chief Pinning Ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Navy Officer of Community Outreach