Story by MC1 Brannon Deugan
From the right, UT3 Adriane Roane, from Indianapolis, Indiana, is frocked by CS1 Vincent Bradley, from Pensacola, Florida, during the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1frocking ceremony on board Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 2. During the ceremony, NMCB 1 frocked 24 Sailors to the higher paygrade. Frocking is a Navy tradition that provides the selected Sailors an opportunity to wear and take the responsibilities of their new rank before they are formally advanced. (Photo by MC1 Brannon Deugan/170602-N-SD965-195)
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Twenty-four Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 were frocked to the next pay grade during a ceremony at Camp Mitchell on board Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 2.
Frocking is a Navy tradition that provides the selected Sailors an opportunity to wear and take the responsibilities of their new rank before they are formally advanced.
The frocking ceremony shows the battalion the rewards of hard work and studying, said Command Master Chief Michael Lopez. The ceremony is a public recognition of the Sailors dedication to studying the books, learning their rates and working hard, and it is important to acknowledge these Sailors accordingly by frocking them to the next pay grade.
During the ceremony, the soon-to-be frocked Seabees formed ranks facing the battalion s formation, and most of the Sailors were excited and nervous about being frocked with the new pay grade.
I was nervous, and it really hit me that, since I was standing in front of everyone, that they could see that I was now wearing a crow, said Utilitiesman 3rd Class Adriane Roane, from Indianapolis, Indiana. I know that the frocking brings more expectations and responsibilities; however, I m confident that I will not fail. I will be successful.
Although a frocked Sailor is authorized to wear the rate of the next higher pay grade, the Sailors will not receive pay for that rate until their official date of advancement, which happens in three increments throughout the fiscal year.