Master Chief Petty Officer James H. Bach and Master Chief Petty Officer Charles “Rob” Bushey shake hands as Coast Guard Atlantic Area Commander Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz applauds them in a change of watch ceremony May 8, 2018 in Norfolk, Virginia. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Stanton.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard Atlantic Area command held a ceremony to officially mark the change of watch for both active duty and reserve command master chief positions Tuesday in Norfolk.
Master Chief Petty Officer James H. Bach relieved Master Chief Petty Officer Charles “Rob” Bushey as the active duty Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command Master Chief.
After Bach relieved Bushey, Master Chief Petty Officer Joe Pasqua assumed the reserve Atlantic Area Command Master Chief position after relieving Master Chief Petty Officer George Williamson.
Bushey departs Portsmouth for Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C, where he will assume the Deputy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard position May 17.
Williamson is scheduled to become the Coast Guard Reserve Force Master Chief May 17.
“You can’t change the winds, but you can change the sails,“ said Master Chief Petty Officer James H. Bach. “I couldn’t be happier to take on this job, I will try my best and continue to adjust my sails to meet the direction and expectations of our force.”
‘’I just want to thank the whole staff for everything we’ve accomplished over the last four years,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Charles “Rob” Bushey. “You are all shining examples of why our Coast Guard makes the important choices. I truly believe that.”
Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz, Atlantic Area Commander, presided over the change of watch.
The change of the watch is a military tradition that transfers the authority, responsibility and accountability from a departing senior enlisted leader to a new incoming senior enlisted leader. It represents a continuation of leadership and allegiance. The event allows an opportunity for the new senior enlisted leader to greet the staff, while the departing senior enlisted leader bids his or her farewell.
The command master chief is the designated senior enlisted advisor to Coast Guard leadership. Playing an important role to improve the Coast Guard organization, he or she promotes balance between workforce needs and Coast Guard missions. CMC responsibilities include, consulting with commands and program managers on policies which impact enlisted members, upholding the highest standards of professionalism, and stimulating communication at all levels of command throughout the Coast Guard.
Headquartered in Portsmouth, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area encompasses Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf, spanning across five Coast Guard districts and 40 states.
