COMMAND  GENERAL MESS ADVISORY As the leading chief petty officer in your division, you may need to represent your division on the general mess advisory board or explain its function to your division representative. Addi- tionally, as a chief petty officer, you may also be detailed to serve as a member on the mess audit board. This  section  reviews  both  the  command general mess advisory board and the mess audit board to assist you in fulfilling your respon- sibilities as a chief. GENERAL MESS ADVISORY BOARD The command general mess advisory board solicits  recommendations  from  the  command’s enlisted  personnel  regarding  operation  of  the mess. The board considers suggestions, comments, and any other matters relating to the operation of the mess. In general, the objective is to improve the operation of the mess. The board consists of one enlisted represen- tative from each department or division ensuring adequate representation of the crew’s enlisted personnel.  The  board  is  chaired  by  the  food services officer. Additional board members may be assigned at the discretion of the commanding officer. MESS AUDIT BOARD The mess audit board is responsible for auditing  the  mess  treasurer’s  account  in  the chief petty officer’s mess and the wardroom mess. Audit board members cannot be con- nected  with  management  of  the  mess  they audit.  The  audit  board  is  composed  of  at least  three  members.  The  senior  member is  an  officer  and  should  be  senior  to  the custodian of the mess funds. The other mem- bers may be commissioned officers, warrant officers, chief petty officers, or qualified petty officers. The audits are conducted monthly. The audit report  is  then  forwarded  to  the  commanding officer via the executive officer before the 10th day of the following month. The audit board is governed by U.S. Navy Regulations, 1990, while auditing the books of accounts and records of the mess. Guidance relative to performance audits of local messes are  provided  in  NAVAUDSVCINST  7540.6 (NOTAL), Audit Program No.39, Local Audits of Messes Afloat. CPO UNIFORMS The styles of the CPO uniform have changed since  the  founding  days  of  the  U.S.  Navy. However, the caliber of the people who wear the uniform and the pride and professionalism they display have not changed. You undergo one of the most significant changes of your naval career the day you put on the hat. Just as your responsibilities change, your uniform and accessories also change. This  section  describes  the  uniforms  and accessories you will wear on different occasions. It also tells you how to maintain your uniforms so that they reflect your pride and professionalism in the Navy. Before actually being advanced or frocked, you will attend the Chief Petty Officer Indoctrina- tion Course. This course will provide you with an in-depth, up-to-date, and hands-on introduction to your new uniform requirements. THE HISTORY OF THE CHIEF PETTY OFFICER When was the term chief petty officer first used? Where did our uniform styles originate? These questions have generated many discussions in CPO messes over the years. According to naval records, the first mention of the chief petty officer was on a ship’s muster roll in 1775. This brief mention of the CPO title did not resurface in naval history for almost 100 years. The history and design of our uniform date back to the 18th-century Continental Navy of 1776. With the colonization of the new world, a need for a navy became apparent. Many of the people that settled our nation learned their seafaring skills in England. These sailors brought not only their seafaring skills, but also their customs, traditions, and uniform similarities to this country. Many of our uniform styles can be traced to the British Royal Navy. As you can see 7-9