Master Chief James Honea became the Navy’s 16th chief petty officer of the Navy Thursday during a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Over half a century later, senior chief petty officer (E-8) and master chief petty officer (E-9) were added, completing what is now known as the Chief’s Mess. Those who hold the ranks of E-7 to ...

Command Master Chief Neal Olds places a master chief cover on Senior Chief Fire Controlman Joan Buccat during a master chief petty officer pinning ceremony, May 3, 2019. (U.S. Navy/Mass ...

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) James Honea delivers remarks during the MCPON Change of Office ceremony held at Mahan Hall, United States Naval Academy, on Sept. 8, 2022.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday hands the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy cutlass to MCPON James Honea during a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy, Sept. 8, 2022.

In the annals of military science fiction, few figures loom as large as Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, the stoic protagonist of the Halo franchise. Clad in Mjolnir armor and wielding an ...

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea speaks with Sailors during an all hands call at Joint Base Peral Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 4, 2023. US Navy Photo.

Achieving E-7 is the first step of a journey that could someday lead to becoming the master chief petty officer of the Navy, the equivalent of the sergeant major of the army.

Yet despite his legendary exploits, his rank has remained static: Master Chief Petty Officer. In the real-world U.S. military, such a scenario would be implausible, if not outright impossible.

Yet despite his legendary exploits, his rank has remained static: Master Chief Petty Officer. In the real-world U.S. military, such a scenario would be implausible, if not outright impossible.