October 4, 2013

Former Oroville Graduate, Earns the Rank of Chief in the U.S. Navy
Chief Cindy Townsend was born in Oroville, Ca, the daughter of Carl Dean Boling and Sarah Lee Aichele (Ray). A 1999 graduate of Oroville High School, she excelled at playing basketball and served as editor of the school yearbook her junior and senior year. Following graduation, she chose a career in the United States Navy, enlisting as an undesignated Deck Seaman. While attending basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL. she was selected as a Ceremony Division member, performing State Flag honors at ceremonies and graduations. Her first duty assignment was on board The USS Arthur W. Radford (DD-968) based out of Naval Station Norfolk, VA. During this tour, she completed a Mediterranean Cruise, serving as a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team member. In her travels she was able to visit twenty two different countries, earned her Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification and advanced in rank from Seaman Apprentice to Operations Specialist Petty Officer Third Class. Following her assignment aboard USS Radford, she then reported to the Navy and Marine Corp Intelligence Training Center Cam Neck, VA., where she completed Operations Specialist Apprenticeship School, Graduating first in her class, she transferred to The USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) stationed in San Diego, CA. During this tour, she completed a West Pacific deployment and aided in rebuilding a tsunami torn village in Indonesia. Following this deployment, she reported to Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific, in Point Loma, CA., in 2001. During this assignment she was an assistant instructor for the Air Intercept Controller School and qualified for Advance Combat Direction System Operator as well as Global Control Computer System Maritime Operator and Systems Engineer and was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. In 2003, she reported to Command Carrier Group Seven on board the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in Coronado, CA. for her third sea tour. During this tour she was the Supervisor of Tactical Flags Communication Center, directly supporting Command Third Fleet Missions and qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. In July 2004 she transferred to the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility San Diego, CA. where she qualified as Maritime-Radar Control Officer, maintaining a real-time operational radar picture for Command Pacific Fleet. In July 2006, she left the Navy, to move onto the civilian sector, becoming contracted through the Department of Defense as Senior Systems Engineer. Just after a short three months, realizing that the Navy was her rightful place, she re-enlisted into the Navy Reserve, where in October 2007, she was selected for Canvassing Recruiter Duty for Navy Recruiting District San Francisco. While at NRD San Francisco she qualified as a Navy Recruiting Station Leading Petty Officer, and was meritoriously promoted to Petty Officer First Class. In August 2010 she was selected for conversion to Navy Counselor, becoming a member of the Career Recruiting Force team. Upon checking out of NRD San Francisco in July 2011, she attended the Career Recruiting Force Academy in Pensacola, FL., graduating in September 2011 and followed onto Navy Recruiting District Seattle, for assignment in eastern Montana. On September 13, 2013, she was advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Chief Townsend currently resides in Billings, Montana with her husband Neil and daughter Kayla, Alana and Bria. Her awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (eight awards) Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal (three awards), National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal (two awards), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two awards), Navy Recruiting Ribbon, Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon-Expert and Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon-Expert.
(Stu- Wow! It takes a lot to be a Navy Chief!)

Stu’s Notes:
Nice to hear of an Oroville Graduate achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Dad Carl and his wife April were able to attend the Ceremony on September 13, 2013 and were both very proud of Chief Petty Officer Cindy Townsend.

The Veterans Day Parade will be Monday, November 11, 2013. “Thank You Korean War Veterans” 60th Anniversary Sponsored by the Oroville Exchange Club, Chamber of Commerce, City of Oroville Honor our Veterans Past and Present. For Parade Entry Forms Chamber of Commerce (530)538-2542 or Bob Hewitt (530) 534-8393.

Come on down, we are having a groundbreaking at the Oroville Veterans Memorial Park for All of Butte County, for two Beautiful Parking lots, 10AM October 11, 2013.
Today is my birthday, Happy Birth day to me!