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United States Navy Master Chief Petty Officer.
Quite a mouthful, isn’t it? It is a title that should be a mouthful because it is a title earned by long days (and nights) of study, months of training, and years of service to our Nation. It is a title earned by damned few in the United States Navy. In our naval forces, those making the rank of E-7 become a “Chief” Petty Officer. E-8’s are known as a “Senior Chiefs”, and the few who dare, and make, E-9 become forever “Master Chief”.
The “Chief” is required to be a fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, and the authority on personnel relations as well as the technical expert. “Ask the Chief” is a household phrase in and out of the Navy and Coast Guard. They even rate their own separate berthing due to their elevated knowledge and wisdom. Onboard boats (submarines), ships (haze gray and underway), Naval Air Stations and Coast Guard Stations the quarters (berthing/lounge) area for Chief Petty Officers is affectionately referred to as “The Goat Locker”.
Alas! Many who attain these lofty ranks do indeed begin to take on some of the personality characteristics of old, mean, billy goats. (In the case of Chiefs with a “(SS)” attached they even begin to smell like goats.) Most often those making E-7 and above can be noted by the permanent scent of burned tobacco and the forever-crooked forefinger oft with stained coffee cup still attached.
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Yet The Bull writes to you now of a Master Chief that transcended these somewhat less desired qualities and became the beloved leader of his men. I speak to you of MACM Robert Daniel Bornet, USNR. Master Chief Bornet first came to my attention through photographs sent home from the Middle East by the father of my step-children, who is also a USNR Master-at-Arms, during his tour. He had taken along with him a small plastic turtle we all called “Franklin” as a kind of tie to his children back home. Along with the stories of Franklin that came home in emails were the references and stories of a different kind of Master Chief. A man that lead from the front, laughed and cried with his men, trained them well, and in the end brought them all home. Here was a Master Chief The Bull would love to meet.
Sadly, it was not to be.
Robert Daniel Bornet, Master Chief in the Navy Reserve and deputy for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, was killed in an automobile accident Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. Bornet had served as a deputy for a decade and had served his Nation for nineteen years in the United States Navy – seven years active duty and twelve as a Reservist. Surviving him are his loving wife of 18 years, Vicki; and his children, Katie, Leslie, Daniel and Christopher. To them go my prayers and best wishes in this time of sorrow.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement regarding the death of Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Daniel Bornet of Ventura:
“California peace officers face grave dangers each day serving and protecting their fellow Californians. Deputy Bornet courageously faced these risks and gave his life in the line of duty. Maria and I wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to Robert’s family, friends and fellow deputies. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they grieve their loved one.�?
(click on photos for a larger view if available.)
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I couldn’t help but notice the word “DUTY” in that statement. Bornet understood that word well. He was born in 1960 in the Netherlands. He moved to the United States when he was 10. America soon became much more than just a word to him and he dedicated his life in service to his new home and to his fellow citizens. Bornet joined the U.S. Navy in 1987. Bornet moved to Ventura County from Coronado in 1992. After active duty, Bornet rejoined the Navy as a reservist in 1994, attaining the rank of ‘MASTER CHIEF MASTER AT ARMS’ on 23 March 2005. In 1996 he was hired by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. His military service, combined with his experience overseas, made Bornet an outstanding applicant, according to Sheriff Bob Brooks. Let me quote a bit from the story on this American Hero in the Ventura County Star:
Bornet not only was an incurable optimist but also someone with a strong sense of duty, said Brooks. Brooks recalled Bornet’s courage during a violent rampage in Simi Valley last year in which a former Air Force captain shot himself inside a Wal-Mart there.
Brooks said Bornet chased the gunman, Toby Whelchel, into the store alone after Whelchel had shot Deputy Scott Ramirez.
Bornet single-handedly escorted many people in the store outside, Brooks said, averting what could have been a bloodbath.
In his unassuming style, Bornet did not brag about his courage afterward.
“He was courageous, and he was humble,” Brooks said.
Mike Eldridge stood behind the crowd on a plot of grass and wept as Brooks spoke.
“Master Chief Bornet was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet,” Eldridge said after the funeral service, recalling how Bornet had helped train him in South Korea in the weeks before the 2001 terrorists attacks.
“He was someone who had a special presence who would light up a room when he entered it with his smile,” said Eldridge, a former Navy man who today lives in Oxnard.
Eldridge said he never forgot Bornet, even though he would never see him again after 2001.
“He had a lot of heart. There wasn’t a bad bone in his body.”
If Bornet loved his country, he had an equal amount of love for his wife and four children, said Brooks, recalling how Bornet wore two wedding rings, not one.
When his co-workers asked him why, Bornet would tell them it was because he loved his wife twice as much, Brooks said.
This was the sort of Man whose Life humbles The Bull, and should humble all Americans. There is nothing more I can say from this chair in Mobile, AL to honor this Hero. He was beloved by all who knew him and served with him in defense of his adopted Nation. That is the best that could ever be said of any person.
Please, contribute to the Robert Bornet Fund by visiting any branch of the Ventura County Credit Union or mailing a check to the Robert Bornet Fund, P.O. Box 6920, Ventura, CA 93006-6920. Please reference account number 1046280.
Ring the Ship’s Bell and lower the Flag. Another of America’s Best has gone, (as say Submariners), on ‘Eternal Patrol‘!
Bull, out. 
