JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Eighty-seven Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Sailors marked for promotions Friday, in a frocking ceremony at the plant’s Jacksonville detachment.

“Frocking,” is a Navy tradition in which Sailors assume the uniform and duties of the next higher rank prior to their actual promotion. The Sailors will begin receiving the pay of their new ranks between one and six months from now, Master-at-Arms Chief Jason Pavlica said.

“This promotion means a tremendous amount, because it helps me provide for my family,” said newly frocked Aviation Structural Mechanic 1^st Class Sara Hauerstein. “It also means more responsibility, and I get to speak for my Sailors with a little more influence.”

Hauerstein has almost reached a decade in her career with the U.S. Navy, serving in multiple units and duty stations. For others, Jacksonville was their first stop since boot camp.

For Aviation Electronics Technician 3^rd Class Nicole Liggins, originally from Rochester, New York, the move to Jacksonville was her first.

“I love it here,” she said. “My son loves playing the drums and music in general, so we go to a lot of the music festivals they have here.”

Liggins, who already earned a bachelor’s degree, is excited to take advantage of the education opportunities the Navy provides its Sailors.

“I’m a little older than most of the Sailors with my time in service, so I recognize the importance of the schools and leadership opportunities the Navy offers,” she said. “You can’t get those things as readily in the civilian world.”

Aviation Ordnanceman 2^nd Class Solomon Greene was beaming along with his shiny new rank on his collar. The Philadelphia native said he looks forward to the challenges his new status will bring.

“When you receive a promotion, you have to earn more qualifications and do some things that will be outside of your comfort zone,” he said. “But that comes with the territory.”

Greene’s smile is one of the reasons FRCSE Detachment Jacksonville Officer in Charge Cmdr. Scott Carter said that days like Friday stand out to him.

“This is always one of my favorite days to be a Navy officer,” he said. “To see these fine young Sailors get rewarded for their hard work and dedication is a true joy for me.”