PASSING THE TORCH: A Father’s Legacy of Military Service

by Petty Officer 3rd Class Toi Williams

16 June 2023
Upon returning home from deployment, Mess Specialist 1st Class Harding James Jr., would drop his sea bag near the door. Soon after, an eight-year-old’s footsteps would rush behind him, arms open, ready to smell the bag. He was infatuated with how it smelled like the ocean.

From a young age, Master Chief Culinary Specialist Wayne Rickerson Sr. wanted to emulate his father’s charismatic and gentle nature. He eagerly tagged along to visit his father’s vessel for the holidays, in awe of the diverse people, food and vast decorations. The Navy was the only option for Rickerson. Ironing his father’s uniforms for work, he would envision himself wearing them, not knowing he too would become a mess specialist, now known as a culinary specialist.

For generations the males of his family have enlisted in the Marine Corps or the Navy due to their father’s representation. They each had the goal of surpassing the other.

As a Culinary Specialist 1st class, Rickerson Sr. believed he missed the opportunity of becoming a chief petty officer. After being selected as Sailor of the Year, he chose orders to a destroyer squadron over a frigate, which was more promising for his career. He had to support one of his sons who was struggling in school.

In 2012, he was finally selected. The burden of taking exams and waiting for the results were lifted from his shoulders. He still had further to go, and in 2020 he reached the peak of enlisted rank. Aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) the captain informed Rickerson Sr. that he had been selected for master chief petty officer. Dashing to the fantail, he called his mother to inform her of the news. Overjoyed by his accomplishment, she began to cry.

“My dad never made it to the rank of chief,” said Rickerson Sr. “My goals were to go farther than my father and go as high in the enlisted ranks as possible.”

Knowing the resources and stability the Navy provided him throughout his career, he urged Rickerson Jr. to join the Navy instead of taking a year off before starting university. Rickerson Sr. knew his son would rise to the challenge of going farther than his predecessors due to the leadership skills he demonstrated as a child.

Returning home early from training at Camp Lejeune, Rickerson Sr. decided not to notify his family due his curiosity about how his house operates in his absence. His living room couch was placed horizontally against the wall providing a perfect hiding spot for him and his luggage. When Rickerson Jr. walked in, he remained quietly tucked between the couch and wall.

Arriving home, he went to the kitchen, grabbed a snack and sat at the dining room table. When one of his brothers returned home late, he immediately began questioning his whereabouts and why he did not get off the bus stop with him.

“Get your books and homework out and sit at the table,” commanded Rickerson Jr.

When his two other brothers returned from school, Rickerson Jr. repeated himself.

“Get your books and homework out and sit at the table.”

The youngest son began playing and questioning his oldest brother’s authority.

“Why,” said the youngest brother.

“Because I said so,” responded Rickerson Jr.

The youngest brother still chose to ignore him.

“Because he said so,” said Rickerson Sr., popping out from behind the couch, startling his four sons.

By remaining firm to how his parents raised him to lead his brothers while they were working, his father knew he would be committed in his future endeavors.

Rickerson Jr. took his skills to the Navy when he enlisted as a fire control technician.

“My goal was to have my son outrank me at a quick pace,” said Rickerson Sr.

Through the mentorship and guidance of his father, Rickerson Jr. quickly rose through the ranks carrying his family legacy with him every day. When he earned his submarine warfare device, his grandfather’s dolphins were pinned on him. Upon being selected for chief, Rickerson Sr., a senior chief at the time, gifted him, his old anchors. Every time, Rickerson Jr. wore his Navy Service Uniform a piece of his grandfather and father were with him.

In 2019, Rickerson Jr. was selected for the Limited Duty Officer program. His commissioning ceremony was a bittersweet moment.

“To have my son leave the chief's mess and enter the wardroom and surpass me in a short period of time was a proud moment,” said Rickerson Sr. “Every parent’s goal is to make their children’s life easier and assist them to be in a stable position in life.”

Rickerson Sr. was the guest speaker at the commissioning ceremony and gave him his first salute, the official entrance to the officer community. To return his father’s favor, Rickerson Jr. was the reenlisting officer for his father’s final reenlistment.

“I figured he owed me something,” said Rickerson Sr., smirking.

Rickerson Jr. flew from Florida to Norfolk to recite the oath and have his father raise his right hand one last time. He also intends on returning his salute at Rickerson Sr.’s retirement ceremony.

As a Navy tradition, the poem “The Watch” will be recited at the conclusion of the ceremony. Upon the words “Master Chief Wayne Rickerson, Sr., you stand properly relieved from the watch.” Rickerson Jr. will reply “…the watch stands relieved, relieved by those you have trained, guided, and led, you stand relieved… I have the watch,” officially accepting the torch from his dad’s trusted hands and continuing his father’s unrelenting devotion to duty and dedicated service to our nation.

For more news from USS Blue Ridge, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/lcc19/.