{"id":20829,"date":"2026-10-07T11:30:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.militaryframes.com\/blog\/?p=20829"},"modified":"2026-10-15T16:21:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T20:21:06","slug":"cpo-pinning-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.militaryframes.com\/blog\/cpo-pinning-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens at a Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Someone you love just made Chief. There’s a date circled on the calendar, and maybe a few questions you haven’t wanted to ask.<\/span><\/p>

That’s normal. A Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony is packed with Navy tradition, and nobody hands guests a manual.<\/span><\/p>

Here’s what happens, step by step, plus who pins the anchors, what to wear, and how to get on base without a scramble at the gate.<\/span><\/p>

The short answer<\/b><\/h2>

A CPO pinning ceremony is the day Sailors selected for Chief Petty Officer officially become Chiefs. Family or friends pin a gold anchor on each collar, and a mentoring Chief places the combination cover (the Chief’s hat).<\/span><\/p>

Most of the Navy pins on the same day, usually in September, and the ceremony runs one to two hours.<\/span><\/p>

Question<\/th>Short answer<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
When is it?<\/td>One Navy-wide day, usually in September (Sept. 16 in 2025 and 2026)<\/td><\/tr>
How long does it last?<\/td>One to two hours, depending on how many Sailors are pinned<\/td><\/tr>
What should guests wear?<\/td>Business casual is a safe choice unless the invitation or command provides different guidance.<\/td><\/tr>
Who pins the anchors?<\/td>Whoever the new Chief chooses, often a spouse, parent, child or mentor<\/td><\/tr>
Who places the cover?<\/td>Usually their sponsor, the Chief who mentored them through initiation<\/td><\/tr>
What ID do guests need?<\/td>Usually a REAL ID-compliant ID or U.S. passport if you don’t have a military ID. Confirm visitor requirements with the installation before you go.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>


Afterward, the anchors, the advancement certificate and the photos are what your family keeps.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSHOP NAVY CHIEF FRAMES<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What is a CPO pinning ceremony?<\/b><\/h2>

A CPO pinning ceremony marks the moment a First Class Petty Officer officially becomes a Chief Petty Officer. Chief is the Navy’s E-7 paygrade and the first of its three senior enlisted rates (the Navy’s word for an enlisted rank).<\/span><\/p>

It isn’t a routine promotion. The Navy calls it the most significant promotion of an enlisted Sailor’s career<\/a>. Chiefs are the technical experts and hands-on leaders other Sailors turn to first. That’s why there’s a saying in the Navy: “Ask the Chief.”<\/span><\/p>

The ceremony also closes out Chief Petty Officer Initiation, the roughly six-week stretch of training selectees complete after results come out. Many Sailors and families still call it Chief Season.<\/span><\/p>

Pinning day is also when new Chiefs are frocked<\/a>. They take the title and wear the anchors, even if the E-7 pay starts later.<\/span><\/p>

The Coast Guard has Chiefs too, and their pinning days work a little differently. More on that below.<\/span><\/p>

Find Your Frame<\/a><\/div>\n

When is CPO pinning? Chief Season dates<\/b><\/h2>

Most of the Navy pins new Chiefs on the same day each year, usually in September. It was September 16 in both 2025 and 2026. The date does move, though. In 2021, pinning day fell on November 19.<\/span><\/p>

So don’t guess. Each spring the Navy publishes an official message, called a NAVADMIN<\/a>, that sets the season’s calendar. Here’s how 2026 played out:

<\/span><\/p>

Date (2026)<\/th>What happened<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
June 22 to July 17<\/td>Active-duty Chief selection board met<\/td><\/tr>
August 4<\/td>Results reached commands, and initiation began<\/td><\/tr>
August 5<\/td>Results announced Navy-wide<\/td><\/tr>
September 15<\/td>Capstone event, the last step of initiation<\/td><\/tr>
September 16<\/td>Pinning ceremonies<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>


Navy Reserve selectees get their results earlier, in mid-July, but pin on the same September day.<\/span><\/p>

Planning travel for 2027? The 2026 calendar came out May 21, so look for next year’s dates in late spring. Your Sailor can confirm the time and place once their command sets them.<\/span><\/p>

CPO pinning ceremony order of events<\/b><\/h2>

Every command runs its own ceremony, so the order shifts a little. The printed program is your map. Here’s what you’ll see at most of them.<\/span><\/p>

1. The selectees march in<\/b><\/h3>

The Chief selects walk in together, usually singing “Anchors Aweigh,” the Navy’s service song. Look at their collars. They’re in khakis with no anchors yet, and the ceremony finishes the uniform.<\/span><\/p>

2. Colors, the national anthem and the invocation<\/b><\/h3>

Guests stand as the color guard presents the flag and the national anthem plays. Many ceremonies keep everyone standing for the invocation, a short opening prayer. Veterans in civilian clothes may salute during the anthem. Everyone else places a hand over the heart.<\/span><\/p>

3. The guest speaker<\/b><\/h3>

A senior leader, often a Master Chief, speaks to the selectees and their families about what being a Chief really means.<\/span><\/p>

4. Traditional readings<\/b><\/h3>

Many ceremonies include a few short readings:<\/span><\/p>