I Like The Cut Of His Jib !!

Leadership - a note from 30 years ago

2010-01-07T04:53:00.000-05:00

MEMORANDUM

From: Commanding Officer
To: All Officers

Some thoughts:

(1) A junior officer must be most concerned with his or her performance in the job assigned. There is too much discussion in our ranks about the merits of particular jobs as "career enhancing". It's natural to look upon various jobs in different lights - you might like one better than another - but don't get caught up in the "I need this job to get promoted syndrome"...that's bull.

(2) Continue to show our people you care. You must follow my lead and my example. I expect you to - and I watch closely. That ranges the gamut from counseling, to mid-watch visits, to attending command events, to going to basketball games.

(3) DON'T BE PART OF THE PROBLEM. I want to concentrate on important matters and continue to emphasize "dealing with facts" - not rumors and B.S.

(4) Finally, leadership by example is not a buzz phrase. We cannot, as officers and chiefs or petty officers, expect to gain respect and credibility unless we can do it too. Keep that professional curiosity, keep working hard and take pride in making NSGA the best.

Once again, I need and expect the support of each one of you to make Misawa a better place to live and work. We are on a positive tack. With your help, we'll sail smoothly through 1980.

J.S. MCFARLAND
Commanding Officer
U.S. NSGA Misawa, Japan
1 February 1980

Hat Tip to Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Morrison, USN retired, fellow RADM McFarland fan for providing this gem.
I'm not the only one who has kept a leadership file since the day I joined the Navy.

They Are Taking Away the Power of the CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS' MESS - Sound very familiar? From 2009? No, it's from 1973.

2010-01-06T02:19:00.005-05:00

"When the CNO sends a direct message to everybody in the field, the chief petty officer community and the middle management officer community have thrown up their hands and said, "He has taken all our power away and we can't do anything."

Obviously, there has not been any removal of the tools to maintain discipline aboard a ship or anywhere else in the Navy, but the attitude toward the use of such tools has changed."

House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Report by the Special Subcommittee on Disciplinary Problems in the US Navy, 2 January 1973

A Hero Worth Learning Much Much More About - LCDR John McCloy

2010-01-05T04:54:00.003-05:00

As a prolific letter writer myself, I am very pleased that the U.S. Postal Service will be introducing four stamps to honor Naval heroes in February 2010. I am very familiar with 3 of the 4 men.

The fourth, LCDR John McCloy, was a mystery man to me (and very likely to most others). He is one of only 19 men to have earned two separate Medals of Honor. He earned both of them prior to his commissioning as a Naval officer. The first MOH was earned as a coxswain and the second was earned as a Boatswain Chief.

His tombstone at Arlington National Cemetery bears the simple inscription M.H. (2) and N.C. (for the 2 Medals of Honor and the Navy Cross that he earned). He served in the Navy from 1903 to 1928, retiring in 1928 as a Lieutenant. For reasons that I have yet to determine, he was promoted on 23 February 1942 to Lieutenant Commander and retired again. He passed away in 1945.

Captain John Paul Jones' Leadership: Success mixed with Failure

2010-01-04T04:38:00.001-05:00

Most of us in the Navy are familiar with the Captain John Paul Jones who was revered as a hero for exhibiting dauntless courage and unconquerable persistence in the face of overwhelming odds. Such was not always the case. In the 18th and 19th centuries, his professionalism and abilities as a "complete" naval officer were not yet appreciated. He was reviled by many for his criticism of others, inability to credit his subordinates and his relentless self-promotion (all of which sound very familiar).

In the 20th century, his reputation began to flourish as we began:

to appreciate his strategic vision of placing the nation's interest over his own personal gain,
to see his rise to the top levels of the new American Navy through dint of hard work and application,
to acknowledge his skill as a naval architect,
to recognize his continued self-study to better himself as an officer and commander,
to understand his attempts to reform the Navy and
to value his efforts to substitute merit and ability in place of nepotism and influence.

Each of these things marked him as an officer who sought to professionalize the early Navy.

From: E. Gordon Bowen-Hassell, Dennis M. Conrad, and Mark L. Hayes Sea Raiders of the American Revolution: The Continental Navy in European Waters. Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center, 2003.

The Navy's TENTH Fleet - Now as then

2010-01-03T04:05:00.004-05:00

Broad in scope, sweeping in power, and virtually absolute in influence.

Small and tight.

Represents a daring new concept in naval thinking.

Bring in new blood from the fleet.

Train cyber missionaries to spread the 10th Fleet capabilities to the fleets.

Clockwatchers and goldbrickers have no place in the 10th Fleet.

Service to others is the highest distinction in the 10th Fleet.

Some paraphrasing from THE TENTH FLEET by Ladislas Farago

Fighting for a better Navy - Persistently, Consistently - Admiral William Sowden Sims

2010-01-02T04:03:00.004-05:00

Well in advance of the Admiral James Stavridis model of "Think, Read, Write, Publish", Admiral William Sowden Sims did all these things - and he did them extraordinarily well - winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1920 while serving as a Naval officer.

For 30 years the great voice of public self-analysis in the Navy, Admiral William Sowden Sims was highly vocal and knew it. But "never did he discover the difference between rapping for attention and knocking his audience cold." An 1880 United States Naval Academy graduate, Sims spent his first six years at sea quietly, then settled down to improving the Navy. His main theme was a continuous assault on the Navy's uncoordinated bureau system (which it still has), a demand for a general staff (which still did not exist in 1942).

Although Sims never won his main objective, his vocal technique (through persuasive oral and written arguments) did achieve many smaller ones—enough to assure his place in naval history even though he was never under fire. He began by criticizing battleships. In 1900 the U.S. Navy, in Sims's opinion, was far behind European navies, even Japan's ("and, God help our souls," Russia's).

Meanwhile the public thought the Navy was "hot stuff" and the Navy was "inordinately flattered by a boastful press."

The bureaus of the Navy shelved the Sims reports on recommendations for improving the Navy and her ships. Sims fumed that a man who would have to fight a ship could have no say in its design or the functioning of the Navy - not even as a Navy Captain.

He had better luck on his second project, teaching the Navy to shoot. In face of opposition, he introduced a real target instead of an imaginary one, longer practice ranges, continuous aim firing, improved telescopic sights, new methods of fire control. He developed a spirit of competition in a fleet that used to shoot off its year's ammunition as an unpleasant chore. The Navy's marksmanship became legend.

By the time the U.S. entered World War I, he had fought for adoption of all-big-gun ships (dreadnoughts), commanded the newest, finest battleship of all, the Nevada (still in service). Most important, he had commanded a destroyer flotilla and developed doctrines for handling destroyers that proved invaluable.

But outside the Navy Sims was not famous until he was suddenly (March 31, 1917) exported incognito to London as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces operating in European waters. Again he had to combat the bureaus and a Navy leadership sluggish in action. Though the British Admiralty confessed that if U-boat sinkings kept on at their top rate (nearly 90,000 tons in April 1917) Britain was done for by October, the men in Washington were slow to approve the convoy system. Sims prodded in cable after cable. Once convoys became routine, sub successes dwindled.

Congress refused to restore Sims's rank to full admiral after the war. Sims was disappointed. When Congress ordered blanket restoration of World War I temporary ranks to retired officers in 1930 a Newport lady congratulated the 71-year-old Admiral. Said he: "Admiral, hell!"

In retirement (1922-36) he still fought. Admiral Sims argued saltily for:

a better system of promotion in the Navy,
for recognition of the powers of aircraft,
for Prohibition (though no teetotaler),
for adequate bases in the Pacific,
for a larger Navy.

Says Author Morison: "He remembered Pearl Harbor before it happened."

Lessons from Admiral Sims:

Be vocal (verbally and in writing).
Develop a Navy spirit in your subordinates.
Be persistent.
Keep up your fight - even in your retirement.

From TIME magazine - September 1942

Welcome 2010 !! Resolution Free...

2010-01-01T05:01:00.000-05:00

The years pass much too quickly. 10 years ago today (1 January 2000), I re-enlisted this great Sailor, Nico Figueroa. He was a 2nd Class Petty Officer. In the intervening years, he made First Class, was selected for the Seaman to Admiral 21 Program, graduated successfully from the University of Colorado and earned his commission as an Ensign, refused the commission and continued his service as a First Class Petty Officer, made some incredible drug busts with the USS McInerney (FFG-8), got out of the Navy served in Iraq, finished his time in Iraq and is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Neither of us made New Year's resolutions to get where we needed to be. We set our course and got underway. Each year has seen us grow. What we haven't done is grow apart. Nico and I have stayed in touch over the years and I am deeply appreciative of the Sailor he was in the Navy, the man that he's become and the patriotism he's demonstrated all along the way. As great a guy as he is, I'd say he was typical of the many superb Sailors I had while in command of U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Yokosuka, Japan.

Navy's 2009 Foreign Language Awards - RADM George Patrick March Award - his legacy in love of languages lives on

2009-12-31T10:44:00.003-05:00

The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA, sponsors an annual competition to recognize excellence in two categories:

(1) individual achievement by a Foreign Language Professional, and
(2) exceptional performance by a Command Language Program.

Making this year's selection was a particular challenge. I was pleased to note that the 2009 nominations were most impressive, and selection of only one Navy nominee in each category for the larger cross-service competitions proved difficult. With that in mind, I am pleased to announce Navy's Foreign Language Excellence winners as:

-- Language Professional of the Year: CTI2 Douglas Dixon of Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Texas

-- Command Language Program of the Year: NIOC Maryland

Navy's winners will be nominated for the larger cross-Service award competition which will be decided prior to the Command Language Program Manager (CLPM) conference in Monterey, CA scheduled for May 2010.

Our selections represent the superior levels of linguistic proficiencies represented throughout the Navy, and our expectations are high for the cross-Service competition. Please join me in congratulating Petty Officer Dixon and Captain Steven Ashworth, CO, NIOC Maryland on their achievements. Also, I ask that you join me in extending a hearty "well done" to all who participated in this highly competitive program.

Widest dissemination within the Navy Information Warfare, Special Warfare, and Intelligence communities is requested.

RADM D.P. Holloway, USN
Navy Senior Language Authority

A Naval officer, above all . . .

2009-12-31T04:41:00.005-05:00

recognizes his responsibilities and therefore does not accept them lightly. A Naval officer understands that his word is his bond, exercised by everyday actions and daily decisions. A Naval officer will not waft through life selfish or disconnected, like someone who carries a fickle mind. A Naval officer, the genuine article, will not make promises he cannot keep, and chooses his words as carefully as he does his commitments. And because a Naval officer honors his words, he is in turn honored in his actions.

We have a duty to remember their sacrifice - Cryptologic Technicians Earn Purple Hearts

2009-12-30T02:01:00.004-05:00

Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 1st Class Aaron Windle, from Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) San Diego, was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Iraq January 29, 2005.

The medal was presented by Rear Adm. Joseph Maguire, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, in a ceremony held at NSGA San Diego on March 1, 2005.

While on patrol, Windle’s unit surveyed a gap in a wall before passing, but as Windle passed through, he was shot just above the clavicle, knocking him down instantly. The unit’s corpsman responded immediately, using gauze to help stop the bleeding.

“When it happened, I did not know what was going on. I didn’t know where I was shot, or if it was serious," CTI1 Windle said. "It was an act of God, and I feel grateful to come through it as well as I did."

Since the Revolutionary War, the Purple Heart, the world's oldest military decoration in use, has been awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed during any action against an enemy of the United States.

NOTE: I have filed three separate requests (two under the Freedom of Information Act) with the Navy for a list of Cryptologic Technicians who have earned the Purple Heart in the Global War On Terror (Overseas Contingency Operations). The Navy (NNWC/OPNAV/Navy PAO) has yet to respond. If you are aware of a CT who has earned the Purple Heart, please leave me a comment.

I have 4 on my list so far.

CTT1 Steven P. Daugherty (deceased)
CTM3 Matt O'Bryant (deceased)
CTI1 Aaron Windle (shot)
CT2 Chad Kueser (IED) lost both legs

Criticism as praise

2009-12-29T04:40:00.000-05:00

My old boss, SECDEF Rumsfeld was fond of saying, "If you're not being criticized, you may not be doing much." If you are a man of action (MOA), you are bound to upset some folks. Providing constructive criticism is an art form in and of itself. How do you practice the art?

Ensuring the Future Viability of Our Information Warfare Community Within the Information Dominance Corps

2009-12-28T04:11:00.001-05:00

We lost our ability, over time, to sufficiently differentiate the CTA and CTO ratings from their Navy counterpart ratings (YN/IT). We need to ensure that our other cryptologic technician ratings: CTI, CTT, CTR , CTM and CTN remain sufficiently differentiated from their Navy counterpart ratings. Similarly, differentiation of our Information Warfare officers from their Navy counterparts will be critical to our IW community's future viability.

Give Your Officers A Little More Praise

2009-12-27T04:49:00.000-05:00

"Hereafter, if you should observe an occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault than you can justly be charged with, you will only become the sooner for it, a great captain. Criticizing and censuring almost everyone you have to do with will diminish friends, increase enemies, and thereby hurt your affairs."

Benjamin Franklin in a note to Captain John Paul Jones

Admiral Bobby Ray Inman - Intel Chair

2009-12-26T09:45:00.002-05:00

Our colleague, Rear Admiral Andrew M. Singer is leaving Booz Allen Hamilton on 15 January 2010 to accept the Admiral Bobby Ray Inman Chair for Intelligence at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Congratulations on this new opportunity and for accepting the responsibility it carries.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T04:05:00.000-05:00

I am very happy to be blessed with a wonderful family.
Life does not get much better than this.

Here's wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.

Practical advice for Commanding Officers

2009-12-24T02:29:00.000-05:00

When I assumed command of U.S. Naval Security Group Activity in January 1997, I received the most practical advice from a fellow Commanding Officer and mentor, Captain Jerome Rapin, the CO of NSGA Kunia, Hawaii. His advice - "COMMAND!" I still have his letter and will post it as soon as I can scan it.

Most ironically, I made it to command without 'command screening'. The following year, the command screening board met and I 'FAILED' to screen for command. I was notified by a Lieutenant from BUPERS. Subsequently, the senior cryptologic detailer contacted me to advise that I would be allowed to remain in my current job (where I was ranked the #1 CO) and "not to worry because I would have another opportunity to screen for command the next year." I did get a letter from the Chief of Naval Personnel the following year congratulating me on my selection for command but cautioned that 'successful screening for command does not guarantee assignment as a commanding officer.' I wanted to write a letter back cautioning that 'failure to screen for command does not preclude assignment as a commanding officer.'

Certain Aspects of Our Profession Are Fundamental - They Should Never Change

2009-12-23T05:14:00.002-05:00

Rear Admiral James S. McFarland and I carried on a regular correspondence for almost 20 years. He was a great mentor and a conscientious note/letter writer. This last response was just before his death in February 2003. We had been exchanging ideas about the future of cryptology in our Naval profession. He was committed to the idea that some aspects of our profession were fundamental and should never change.

He was deeply proud of the 10,000 or so Sailors that comprised the Cryptologic Community. He, more than most, understood the value of those Sailors to the Navy and its mission. He believed in taking care of those Sailors and the Sailors knew it.

Correspondence is history kept alive

2009-12-22T04:36:00.000-05:00

While in command of U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Yokosuka Japan, my Executive Officer (LT Bob Duncan) and I would meet at the command at 0630 or so each morning to spend 30-45 minutes hand writing letters to a different set of parents or relatives of our Sailors to let them know what 'their' Sailor was up to. One in 20 or so letters generated a response from a grateful parent or relative. The letter above is one such letter. The XO and I cared deeply about each of the 200 or so Sailors under our charge. Some of them understood and some didn't. Some came to that understanding later as they transferred to 'less caring' commands. Some still don't understand.

One of the most heart warming examples of the meaning of all this correspondence came on two separate occasions for my Command Master Chief - CTMCM(SW) Ronald N. Schwartz. In 2003 when he retired, his Mother and Father (Ron and Sandra) brought a notebook to his retirement ceremony (over which I presided) at Corry Station, Pensacola Florida (where he started his cryptologic career as a student). The notebook was filled with the letters I sent them regarding the Master Chief's many accomplishments helping me lead our Sailors. There were many letters and news articles sent as he accomplished a great deal. I was gratified to see his parents had kept every letter. In 2007, I saw those same letters in the same notebook in plastic liners at a far less joyous occasion when the Master Chief passed away tragically in an accident. Those letters meant so much to his parents because they reflected a detailed accounting of his very successful career history. His parents and I still exchange letters as I keep them informed of our efforts to keep his name and memory alive in the Navy.

"Anchor up, Chiefs !!"

2009-12-21T07:13:00.004-05:00

MCPON West’s message

Pass to all command master chiefs, chiefs of the boat, command senior chiefs and senior enlisted leaders and conduct training on CPO standards and Navy core values within the CPO mess.

Senior enlisted leaders, during the past several weeks we’ve had several incidents of CPO misconduct. Also during the past year, CPOs have been involved in several incidents regarding DUIs, sexual assaults, domestic violence, fraternization and general misconduct. This is unacceptable within our mess and must stop immediately.

Additionally, during the past year we’ve detached for cause ten CMCs and COBs for some of the same practices mentioned above, as well as poor performance in leading a mess.

CPO DUIs are a mess failure, and a leadership issue that must be addressed. As a mess, we have averaged 54 per year since 2005. This represents a trend and average we must reverse now. This number indicates that some within our mess are not looking after themselves or one another. There is no doubt in my mind that this type of conduct has a negative effect on the Sailors we lead.

As chiefs, we are the leaders and bearers of standards for our sailors twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The way we live our core values and Navy ethos are emulated by the Sailors we are privileged to lead.

I’ve asked each fleet and force master chief to brief me on any CPO involved in a DUI, sexual assault, domestic violence, fraternization or general misconduct. This brief will explain how the CMC and the mess involved expect to provide a course correction so this doesn’t reoccur. This process will be implemented in a manner that does not interfere with ongoing investigations and respects the authority of the chain of command to take administrative or disciplinary action as appropriate.

Shipmates, overall our mess remains strong. You are leading this Navy and doing it well, but even one miscue from a chief petty officer resonates and reflects poorly on the entire chief’s mess and our great Navy.

We as leaders have the responsibility to uphold the credibility this mess has earned over the course of a century. Leadership is counting on you, your Sailors are counting on you and I am counting on you.

Keep an eye on one another, take swift and appropriate action if you see someone steering the wrong course, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you see something that your instincts tell you may be unusual, and always set the standards for the Sailors you serve.

Chiefs, anchor up.

MCPON West

MCPON and I are on the same page. I take credit for coining this phrase ("ANCHOR UP") several years ago and it was published in my USNI PROCEEDINGS article "Anchor Up, Chiefs. Reset Your Mess". You can read it HERE at the Chief's own GOATLOCKER website. I am honored that the Chiefs thought enough of the article to post it for their Mess to read.

Communications

2009-12-20T02:57:00.002-05:00

"Whenever I talk to people who are going into command, I tell them about the importance of communications, communications, and communications. Communication with your people inside the lifelines is the most important thing you can do as a leader."

Admiral Mike Boorda, Former Chief of Naval Operations

Will the honest among you serve our Navy?

2009-12-19T03:09:00.001-05:00

Stealing and paraphrasing simultaneously from the SECDEF Dr. Robert Gates and President John Adams:

"Being a Naval officer, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or [an]other. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not."

And so I ask you, will the wise and honest among you come help us serve our Navy in the best way we can?

Change of Command - Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) - Colorado

2009-12-18T14:24:00.007-05:00

Captain Carl Barksdale presided over a traditional Navy change of command ceremony (today, 18 December 2009) for Navy Information Operations Command - Colorado in Denver as Commander Nicholas Homan relieved Commander Steve Weldon as Commanding Officer. Commander Weldon's next assignment is on the staff of Commander, SEVENTH Fleet embarked aboard USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) to relieve Commander Cliff Bean in the spring.

A Little Bit of 'Thank You' Help - For those of you who are "thank you" impaired.

2009-12-18T04:36:00.001-05:00

Sailors always remember a thank-you note, long after they forget what exactly they did to deserve it. Of course, there are the usual occasions to write thank you notes, but what are often more interesting are the unexpected ones.

A thank-you note is a gift in and of itself. Thank those Sailors for the great job they did on the Quarterdeck during the Commodore's visit, for the great job they did at Colors this morning, Thank them for the super job they did on the engineering inspection. Thank them for keeping the Command's 5 year safety record intact.

There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to writing thank-you notes. Most would prefer that you follow this rough guideline.

1. Write the thank-you note.
2. Affix stamp.
3. Mail it. I have been using this formula for 25 years or so and have yet to have one note returned.

If you are the succinct type, a correspondence card works perfectly, as does a small foldover note. Punctuality counts – and it certainly appears more sincere. Generally speaking, the message is brief and usually consists of four parts.

1. The greeting. Dear Petty Officer Smith/Lieutenant Jones.

2. An appreciation of the item or favor.

"Thank you for the the great job on the IG inspection last week."

3. Mention how important it was.

"We couldn't have passed without your great work."

4. Sign off with an appreciation of their service.

"Thank you for your service in our great Navy." That’s it. That is all there is to it.

Good intentions don’t get the job done, and while everyone intends to express a thank you, not everyone does. If your thank-you note is tardy, don’t apologize for being late. You know you are late, and the person you are writing knows it. Just get on with it.

Adapted from Crane's Guidance on Correspondence

Deputy, Fleet Cyber Command/10th Fleet Speaks to Sailors at DLIFC - Monterey, California

2009-12-17T04:58:00.002-05:00

MONTEREY, Calif. (NNS) -- The selected deputy commander of the soon-to-be reconstituted U.S. 10th Fleet/Fleet Cyber Command, addressed more than 70 prospective Navy linguists studying at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) on Dec. 2 at the Presidio of Monterey.

Rear Adm. William E. Leigher spoke to Sailors attending DLIFLC as an "A" school for the cryptologic technician (interpretive) rating, about the role of the Navy's newest numbered fleet and the effects it will have on future fleet operations and the Navy's cryptologic community.

"I have watched cryptology evolve over the last 20 years from a very tight and small field to a community that will lead what the Navy does in the Information Age. We are going to be much more involved in defining the operations that we take part in."

RDML Bill Leigher
Deputy Commander, Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet

FULL STORY FROM NAVY NEWS SERVICE

Problems in the Chief Petty Officer Mess

2009-12-16T07:05:00.003-05:00

As the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West works to resolve problems in the Chiefs' Mess, I was reminded of this.

"Unless and until officers conduct themselves at all times as officers, it is useless to demand and hopeless to expect any improvement in the enlisted ranks.

Matters of correct attitude, personal conduct, and awareness of moral obligations do not lend themselves to control by a set of rules or to scientific analysis...Many methods of instruction and different approaches to teaching them will present themselves. Each naval officer must consider himself an instructor in these matters and the future tone of the naval service will depend on the sincerity which he brings to this task."

Admiral T. C. Kinkaid
United States Navy
1947