U.S. Africa Command's (AFRICOM) first chief petty officer selectee, Shera Terry, was piped into the Chief's Mess during the Stuttgart area Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony held September 16, 2010 at Patch Barracks.

Advancement into the chief petty officer grade is the most significant promotion within the enlisted naval ranks and "is a tough cut to make in our Navy," said guest speaker Vice Admiral Charles J. "Joe" Leidig, Jr., AFRICOM's deputy to the commander for military operations (DCMO). "As you get more senior the job does not get any easier. It demands more of your time, your life, and your energy. If you lead with energy and inspiration, those below you will follow your lead," he said.

For that reason, Terry is excited and honored about her new responsibility, she said. "The focus has shifted from me to my sailors and how to get them where they need to be. My goal now is to be a better chief and take care of my sailors."

Terry joined the Navy in 1999 and admits she had no intentions on being a career sailor. "I don't even think I knew enough about the Navy to set goals and was ready to get out but that soon changed," she said.

After serving four years she decided to get out and attend college. "But I still loved the Navy and after six months I decided to join the Reserves. That's when I knew this would be long-term," she said.

Terry has been with AFRICOM's Commandants Office since November 2009 and said, ". . . my decision to come out here was one of the best decisions I've made. This command has been good to me, especially the commandant's office. I couldn't have asked for better support."

Terry credits all senior chiefs before her and her junior sailors for achieving the chief petty officer rank.

"She works really hard and she is amazingly deserving of chief," said Chief Petty Officer Christopher Turner, Information Knowledge Development Directorate.

New rank requires more responsibility and Terry plans to continue to make an impact on AFRICOM. "We don't need just one selectee every three years; we need our junior sailors promoted every year so my goal is to take being the first and not make it the last."