It’s not often you get to see the Commanding Officer of a US aircraft carrier painting the ships anchor gold. Well, actually you probably have never seen this before so enjoy the sight!

The Retention Excellence Award, previously known as the Golden Anchor Award is an award given by the United States Department of the Navy for sustaining superior levels of military retention. Deployable Navy ships are authorized to paint their anchors gold as a symbol of earning the award.” – Wikipedia

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower pierside

Photo of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in Norfolk, VA by Getty Images

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is pier side during the sustainment phase of the optimized fleet response plan.

Featured image of Capt. Paul C. Spedero Jr., left, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and Capt. Craig Sicola, right, executive officer, painting the starboard anchor gold commemorating the ship earning the Retention Excellence Award for 2016.  Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anderson W. Branc, US Navy.

Dwight D. Eisenhower gold anchor

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NORFOLK, Va. (March 28, 2017) Capt. Paul C. Spedero Jr., left, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and Capt. Craig Sicola, right, executive officer, paint the starboard anchor gold commemorating the ship earning the Retention Excellence Award for 2016. The ship is pierside during the sustainment phase of the optimized fleet response plan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anderson W. Branch/Released)