The Coast Guard Atlantic Area command held a ceremony to officially mark the Command Master Chief Change of the Watch in Portsmouth, Thursday.

Master Chief Petty Officer Charles “Rob” Bushey relieved Master Chief Petty Officer Steven W. Cantrell as the Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command Master Chief.

“I’m thrilled to serve in this capacity where I hope to make a difference for Coast Guardsmen, women and their families, and tohelp provide them an environment where they can thrive,” said Bushey. “What I love about this job is the opportunity to serve alongside the best and brightest our nation have to offer as we focus on being ‘Semper Paratus, Always Ready’ for 21st century missions.”

Cantrell departs Portsmouth for Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C, where he will assume the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard position May 22.

“Although I leave with a heavy heart, I know that our staff and crew are in good hands with Master Chief Bushey; he is dedicated to their success,” said Cantrell. “In taking on the responsibility as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, my goal as a leader is to ensure the men and women of the Coast Guard have meaningful and purposeful careers, to promote mission readiness and training, and to improve support programs for families.”

Vice Adm. Robert C. Parker, Atlantic Area Commander, presided over the Change of the Watch ceremony.

The Change of the Watch ceremony is a military tradition that transfers the authority, responsibility and accountability from a departing senior enlisted leader to a new incoming senior enlisted leader. It represents a continuation of leadership and allegiance. The event allows an opportunity for the new senior enlisted leader to greet the staff while for the departing senior enlisted leader to bid his or her farewell.

The CMC is the designated senior enlisted advisor to Coast Guard leadership. Playing an important role to improve the Coast Guard organization, he or she promotes balance between workforce needs and Coast Guard missions.  CMC responsibilities include, consulting with commands and program managers on policies which affect enlisted members, upholding the highest standards of professionalism and stimulating communication at all levels of command throughout the Coast Guard.

Headquartered in Portsmouth, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area encompasses Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf, spanning across five Coast Guard districts and 40 states.