Chief Cole retires

A crowded Sikes Hall, full of family friends and shipmates, was a fitting testament to the distinguished 30-year career of Chief Warrant Officer Ferninand Maurice Cole.  Cole retired Friday, March 14 surrounded by those whose lives he had affected and who had supported him.
"Everything I learned from everyone, including my parents, made me what I am," he said.  I firmly believe that if you work hard and take care of the people around you, you will succeed."

It is a philosophy that has served him well.  From the "tender" age of 20, when he enlisted in the Navy at Sheffield, Ala. through numerous tours aboard two amphibious ships, four different squadrons and several shore stations until his final active duty days assigned to Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Det Milton, Cole has been recognized for his hard work and dedication.

It is a hallmark of his service according to Vice Adm. Anthony Winns, the Navy Inspector General and one of Cole's guest speakers.
"It is a rare opportunity to work with such a professional as CWO4 Cole," he said. "I met him first in 1986 and I was as impressed with him on day one [as a 2nd Class Petty Officer] as I am today."

Cole took special effort to recognize those same traits in the enlisted members with whom he had served.  Much to their surprise, he called several of them up and identified how they had helped his career.  From a man who worked his way up from Seaman Apprentice to Chief Petty Officer and finally to achieve the top Warrant Officer rank, such appreciation and leadership is unsurprising.  To Winn at least, it would be expected.

"In the course of a career you only meet a select few whose dedication, professionalism and leadership inspire those around them.  Chief Warrant Officer Cole is such a person," said Winns.

Cole's career was recognized during the ceremony through the presentation of his fifth Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
"Demonstrating Exceptional leadership and instructional ability, he trained 602 newly commissioned aviation maintenance officers, NAVAIR civilians and international military students.  He was also responsible for a major revision of the aviation maintenance officer personal qualification standards," the citation reads.

The ceremony ended with the traditional reading of "The Watch", benediction, and piping ashore, through which he walked with his children.  He then walked straight into a long line of people who congratulated him and wished him "Fair Winds."