From:  Chief Bike Project Committee, Greater Northwest CPOA

To:      All Chief Petty Officers

Subj:    CHIEF BIKE PROJECT STATUS REPORT

1.  In June of 2004, the Greater Northwest Chief Petty Officer Association, located at Naval Station Everett, WA, began a fundraiser to build a “Chief Bike”.  Our intent was to have Orange County Choppers build a CPO themed chopper that would accomplish several missions:

·  It would capture and memorialize some of the ideas, traditions and ethos of the Chief Petty Officer in a mobile work of art.

·  It would open up new markets to recruiting by appealing to a wider audience and educating civilians about the role and impact the Chief has had on the Navy’s landscape past, present and future.

·  It would hopefully inspire young sailors new to the Navy to plan on serving a whole career, with the desire to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer, rather than joining just for the initial recruitment benefits and leaving after their first tour.

2.  Throughout the past 14 months, the project has evolved significantly, and we would like the advice, ideas and assistance from our fellow Chiefs on how to proceed with the project.  To date, we have raised over $20,000 through individual and mess donations, and profits from the sale of plankowner shirts.  Some Chiefs have suggested that we have actual Chiefs build the bike instead of Orange County Choppers.  This way, it would truly be a labor of love, in addition to being much more affordable.  While this idea was being discussed, a retired Chief who manages JAX Custom Cycles in Jacksonville, Florida, made an interesting proposal.  His shop has offered to match the funds we’ve already raised and build the Chief Bike themselves.  JAX Custom Cycles would retain the title, but allow the “Chief community” to use the bike for the aforementioned purposes for period of time.  Once the bike fulfilled it’s original purposes, it would be raffled off.  At that time, JAX Custom Cycles would be repaid their original investment, and the remainder would be donated to the CPO Scholarship Fund. 

3.  This project has come a very long way due to the efforts of  several hundred Chiefs from all over the Navy.  It has brought Reserve, Active and Retired Chiefs together, working towards a common goal.  This project is just one way for today’s Chiefs to say thank you to the Chiefs who carried the anchors before us,  and to bring positive attention to the CPO community.  We are extremely grateful to all who have assisted with the project thus far,  and we welcome all suggestions, ideas and assistance you may wish to provide. POC is NCC J. D. Maloney at office (425)304-4761. Email to chiefbike@navychief.com or Justin.Maloney@navy.mil.