New Navy ‘Mustang’ Ensign Shelton Climbs from Enlisted to Officer

NORFOLK, VA. — Court House native U.S. Navy Chief Yeoman Clarence E. Shelton, Jr. was commissioned to the rank of ensign Oct. 30 at the U.S. Navy Joint Forces Staff College Chapel.
Shelton was born in Court House, raised in Wildwood and graduated from Middle Township High School in 1993.
“It’s great to obtain this rank and to have had my parents here to celebrate with me,” he told the Herald Nov. 5. “This has been a goal of mine since I joined the military. It’s great to see it come to fruition.”
Shelton started in the Navy 14 years ago as an E-1 recruit in 1995. Since then, he has cruised around the world, was deployed overseas in the Persian Gulf, and has been stationed in Georgia and Norfolk, Va., where his wife, the former Brijin Gaines, and their children Dominique, Juwan and Brionne currently reside.
Aside from his ship having a homeport in Norfolk, it was also in Japan.
“It’s been exciting,” he said.
He said he joined the Navy to “do something different and get out and see the world.”
He said Middle Township High School teachers Faye Blanks and Debbie Yeager were supportive mentors to him.
During high school, was a running back for the school football team and also played basketball and baseball.
Shelton now participates in the Navy basketball team.
“I’m a career sailor,” said the new officer.
His job, primarily administrative, he described as similar to a career counselor. He helps sailors apply for officer programs and advance in their field at the Joint Forces Staff College.
“I enjoy helping sailors achieve their goals,” Shelton said.
Shelton’s next goal is to become a captain and take command of a ship. He said he would be in a position to achieve this in about seven years.
In the Navy, a Mustang is a term for an officer who is promoted from enlisted ranks and receives an officer’s commission through an in-service procurement program, without interruption of active duty status.
The title “mustang” refers to the horse, a wild animal, not a thoroughbred. Like the horse, the mustang can be tamed and saddle broken, but always has a bit of a wild streak and can periodically revert back to its natural ways.
Because the mustang was once free, it may be smarter, more capable and have a better survival instinct than a thoroughbred, according to a flier from Shelton’s promotion.
A Mustang’s motto is “Sursum Ab Ordine,” which means “Up From the Ranks.”
The term “mustang” is relatively modern, originating during or prior to World War II.
“As a Mustang, I get more respect than those who come in from the academy, who are usually about 20-years-old, and particularly after achieving the rank of chief, because people know that I have experience,” Shelton told the Herald.
“We’re very proud of him and with what he’s doing with his life,” his parents Joyce and Clarence Shelton Sr. told the Herald.
They said, as a child, their son was quiet, observant and had a good work ethic.
Shelton said, when he first went into the military, some people thought he would retire as a second-class petty officer (E-5), or that he would be “lucky” to make it to first-class petty officer (E-6.)
“I surpassed those expectations six years ago,” he said.
Shelton has earned a designation as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.
He is authorized to wear two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals; two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals; two National Defense Service medals; the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; the Global War on Terror Service Medal; four Good Conduct medals; two Sea Service Deployment ribbons; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Expert Pistol Medal.
“There’s nothing that you can’t achieve, no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through growing up,” he said.
“No dream is too big and there’s nothing you can’t overcome, as long as you have a good support system at home, stay focused and work hard,” he said.
Shelton now prepares for training at Officer Indoctrination School in Rhode Island.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 Ext 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com