Today we’re happy to share a custom-ordered Care Package Retirement Chest for a fellow service-member, a Naval Chief Electronics Technician.
The chest measures 15” x 24”, stained in Early American, while the rails are painted black.
The outside is personalized with the recipient’s title centered on the top, with his name directly underneath.
In the center is a traditional fouled anchor, with the Sailor’s dates of service directly beneath.
The Fouled Anchor is the emblem of the Rate of Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy. The fouled anchor symbolizes the trials and tribulations that every Chief Petty Officer must endure on a daily basis. Attached to the Anchor is a length of chain and the letters U.S.N. Officially the letters stand for United States Navy. According to naval tradition, the letters are symbolic of the following:
The “U” stands for Unity, which reminds us of cooperation, maintaining harmony and continuity of purpose and action.
The “S”stands for Service, which reminds us of service to our God, our fellow man and our Navy.
The “N” stands for Navigation, which reminds us to keep ourselves on a true course so that we may walk upright before God and man in our transactions with all mankind, but especially with our fellow Chiefs.
In the front we added “U.S. NAVY”
We used black hinges and latches to match the chest’s style.
We carried the naval theme by adding manila rope as carrying handles.
The inside of the lid was stained Early American like the rest of the chest.
Centered inside of the lid is the U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Creed encased in plexiglass, and held in place by gold colored screws.
This care package gift can be presented as-is, or filled with additional gifts personalized for the recipients. Suggestions include unit patches, coins, a folded flag, books, a nice bottle 😉, a nice congratulatory cigar, etc.
What would you put in yours?