Sailors and staff aboard Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point celebrated the advancement of a Sailor and the “Tacking of the Crow” Monday, July 1.

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Joseph Kitchin promoted to the rank during a ceremony held that morning which 
also saw an observance of Navy tradition.

“Tacking of the Crow” is a Navy tradition where Sailors sewed, or “tacked” the rank of Petty Officer to a newly promoted peer.

Often the rank would be donated from a fellow Sailor due to the short supply of insignia while at sea. Each Sailor would take a turn stitching the donated rank while imparting advice.

Kitchin serves aboard the clinic in the Preventative Medicine Department

Story originally posted on DVIDS: Cherry Point Celebrates “Tacking of the Crow,” Junior Sailor’s Promotion