RILEY XANTEN II

Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Land, the most junior Sailor at the ceremony, and Cmdr. Steven Bartell, the most senior Sailor at the ceremony, cut the cake and offer the first piece to Steve McMurtry, the guest of honor, as part of the traditional cake cutting ceremony. At celebrations from ships to shore, the Navy’s birthday cake is cut by the most senior and the most junior sailor at the same time. The tradition represents passing knowledge and experience from one generation to the next.