Chief Petty Officer Legacy Center & Academy

Partners Aiming to Achieve Important Mission

In 2007 the Chief Petty Officer Legacy Center was opened aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial. This renovated area commemorates the values, history, and leadership of Chief Petty Officers. Thousands of visiting guests each month are able to see first hand the story, living quarters, and collection items that make the legacy of the Chief Petty Officer critical to our nation's legacy. Key contributors are showcased in the mess area in the CPO Mug Program and represent individuals who have made the CPO Legacy Center a successful venue for visitors and special programs to honor the CPO legacy as part of the Battleship Missouri Memorial mission,.

MightyMo Mission Focus:

The 501(c)3 Mission of the Battleship Missouri Memorial is to create and maintain a fitting memorial to the people and historic events that reflect our nation's legacy of duty, honor, strenght, sacrifice, and resolve. To continue the legacy, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is host to the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Legacy Academy, an innovative new training opportunity for newly selected CPOs to learn Leadership, Naval Heritage, Physical Fitness, Military History, and Team Building onboard American's last battleship and the location of the WWII surrender ceremony. CPO Academy participants experience life on board the ship and are living examples of how a program is actively acheiving the MightyMo mission.

About the Academy:

For one week, (typically around Labor Day) these chosen few live, eat, and learn onboard the Battleship Missouri and external locations, an experience that culminates with a graduation ceremony on the final day. The inaugural Class 001 was held in September 2007 and graduated 22 Sailors. It was an absolute success; and each participant left much more prepared to become a Chief Petty Officer. In 2008, Class 002 will be held from 31 August - 05 September, and aims to graduate more than fifty newly selected Chief Petty Officers.

Future of the Academy:

The CPO Academy goal is to provide vital training and direction to selected Chief Petty Officers. This training is critical in their development and ability to interact with the local community and its leaders. It is our vision and goal to make the academy accessible to sailors world-wide. The CPO Academy is funded solely on donations, it is not financially supported by the U.S. Navy.

Contact Information:

If you wish to have further information on the nature of the Battleship Missouri CPO Legacy Academy, please contact Master Chief Brian Ortega at (808) 258-2889 or at brian.ortega@navy.mil , Command Master Chief Steve Mitchell at (808) 473-3430 or at stephen.r.mitchell2@navy.mil, or Beth Remick, the Director of Volunteers at bethr@ussmissouri.org or (808) 455-1600 x224.