What a bunch of morons. The word “chief” has been part of the English language since before Columbus arrived.
Here is the etymology:
chief (adj.)
c. 1300, “highest in rank or power; most important or prominent; supreme, best, placed above the rest,” from Old French chief “chief, principal, first” (10c., Modern French chef), from Vulgar Latin *capum (also source of Spanish and Portuguese cabo, Italian capo, Provençal cap), from Latin caput “head,” also “leader, guide, chief person; summit; capital city” (from PIE root *kaput- “head”).
...okay - so what happens to the ranks of Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, and Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force...?
The CPO rank in the Navy goes back to the mid-1800s, I
believe.... the Air Force established he ranks of Senior
Master Sergeant and Chief Master Sergeant in the late
1950s if I also recall correctly.... more political
correctness crap....!!! tell ‘em to stick it all someplace
where the sun don’t shine....!!!