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Charge Book Research Paper

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The original charge book was first created during World War II. It was designed to help Chief Petty Officers of the United States Navy organize how to best prepare, plan, and track as well as display their current qualifications. Chief Petty Officers would also use the charge book to record all the details of the responsibilities of the First Class Petty Officers. In addition, the Chief would also write down conversations with other Chiefs on knowledge they needed to know. They would then go back into the charge book and study what they had learned from the conversations. These charge books were used to be a professional record and further the development of the Chief Petty Officer. During the 1950s and early 60s the Chief Petty Officer initiations began and the selects would use a little green notepad instead of the charge book to record all things they felt were important including, things to do and scheduled events. They also would use the same green notepad to get current Chief signatures; if they did not get all their signatures they would be fined at the initiation ceremony. …show more content…

However, it was not treated as valuable as it once was and was often treated with disrespect. It was not until 1998 when MCPON Jim Herdt was looking for more organized ways to clean up the initiation process that the charge book found its way back to good use. Herdt made it a mandatory function of the initiation.
Today the charge book still keeps its original purpose by being a valuable learning tool for the CPO and becomes a keepsake to the person at hand for years to come. It contains advice and words of wisdom by the more senior Chiefs. It will also be an asset that I personally will treasure for the rest of my

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