COMSUBPAC Recognizes Chief in the Spotlight
By MC2 Steven Khor
COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

Release Date: 9/28/2012

(JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii) – The Year of the Chief is a year-long celebration of past and present chief petty officers that officially kicked off on April 2nd at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.  As part of Year of the Chief events, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) will spotlight one Chief Petty Officer from around the force each month through next April.  

Chief Legalman (SW/AW) Wymeka Mahone from Sillmore, Ga., is our Chief in the Spotlight for the month of September. Mahone was promoted to Chief Petty Officer on Sept. 14. She currently serves at Naval Submarine Support Command, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

COMSUBPAC: Why did you join the Navy?
LNC Mahone: I joined the Navy to provide a comfortable lifestyle for my family.

COMSUBPAC: Did you plan on making the Navy a career when you joined?
LNC Mahone: I joined the Navy with the intention of making it a career.  I wanted to have job security and be able to give my family a life with more options. 

COMSUBPAC: How long had you served in the Navy when you were selected for Chief?
LNC Mahone: I have been in the Navy for 14 years as of July 14, 2012.

COMSUBPAC: Who is your mentor and how did they inspire you?
LNC Mahone: I have plenty of people who have mentored me throughout my career, but Master Chief Legalman David Leafer was the first person who guided me when I was a Seaman looking for a rating and making the decision to “Stay Navy.”

COMSUBPAC: What prepared you the most to be a Chief?
LNC Mahone: What prepared me most to be a Chief are my fellow shipmates and Sailors I have had the privilege of working with.

COMSUBPAC: What was the most unexpected challenge after your transition to Chief?
LNC Mahone: My most unexpected challenge was hearing “Chief” and realizing that they are talking to me.

COMSUBPAC: What type of leadership skills do you provide to junior Sailors?
LNC Mahone: My goal is to encourage Sailors to take ownership. If you have a sense of ownership of your job, career and personal life, pride will be sure to follow.

COMSUBPAC: What is your favorite thing about being a Chief?
LNC Mahone: My favorite thing about being a Chief in the Navy is the family ties you have with every other Chief in the Navy whether you have known that Chief your entire career, or just met yesterday.

COMSUBPAC: What is your most memorable experience or milestone as a Chief?
LNC Mahone: My most memorable experience is having the opportunity for my husband to pin my anchors on and then turning to him to pin on his anchors.

COMSUBPAC: What Chief, past or present influenced you to become a Chief?
LNC Mahone: Retired Master Chief Legalman Steven Distefano, was my Command Master Chief (CMC) at Naval Legal Service Office, North Central.  He mentored me and everyone he came into contact with.  I learned how a Good Chief leads Sailors, and no matter what your paygrade you can always make a difference. He became the CMC for the Judge Advocate General of the Navy.