Author: captain1610

Third Navy CO fired

The Commanding Officer of USS JACKSONVILLE, Commander Nathan Sukols, was fired due to loss of confidence in his ability to command. His XO,  LCDR Lauren Allen was fired due to loss of confidence in his ability to serve as XO. Both received non-judicial punishment and were reassigned to administrative duties at Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. The firings occurred following an admiral’s mast on Sunday , 10 February in Manama, Bahrain.

USS JACKSONVILLE collided with a civilian vessel.

CDR Sukols is the third CO fired in 2013.

From various press reports.

The CO of USS GUARDIAN, whose ship remains on a reef in the Philippines, is awaiting a Navy decision on his fate.

CNO Reading List

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Jonathan Greenert introduced the newest edition of the CNO Professional Reading Program in NAVADMIN 309/12 in conjunction with the Navy’s 237th birthday. 
“Reading, discussing and understanding the ideas found in the CNO-PRP will not only improve our critical thinking skills, but will also help us become better sailors, citizens, and most importantly leaders.” 
The revamped program lists 42 books organized under the three tenets of the CNO’s navigation plan: warfighting first, operate forward, and be ready. Each book was selected to illustrate key points about ways the Navy contributed to national security in the past and how it will operate in the future.
Just curious, have you read any of them?  A recent informal survey of senior leaders suggests that most of them do not believe CNO actually expects the books to be read.   I have to confess, I only own one of the 42.

Lessons from Captain Al Collins – a Shipmate from my Joint Staff days

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Be realistic, not reckless.
Bide your time, and time your beefs.
When you need help, reach out.
Command with compassion.
Seize the day, and help others do the same.
Show off when you have to.
Make yourself a learning machine.
Figure out what’s important, and act on it.
Make a contract with your people, and honor it.
Trust the crew to run the ship.
Make sure the whole crew is on board.
Use might to make right.
Let the system work for you.
Greatness goes the extra mile.
Command with caution.
From Capt. Michael Abrashoff’s book “Get Your Ship Together”

Navy Flag Officers help make/record the Navy’s history

The personal papers of Navy Flag officers should reflect that “history making” level of contribution. To preserve that history, Navy Flag officers should be encouraged to maintain a collection of their personal papers, as well as duplicate copies of their official papers. Papers that provide the basis for important decisions are especially important. After assuring that the Federal Records Act for preserving office files is observed, Navy Flag officers should be urged to take their personal papers and duplicate official papers to each successive tour. Upon retirement, Navy Flag officers should consider donating their collected works to the Naval History and Heritage Command on the Washington Navy Yard. The command can accept both classified and unclassified material. They can be reached at 202-433-4132.

Sailors Are Weapons Systems

The direct support element at NIOC Georgia is a nimble force that supports some of the most hostile areas in the world. “Our Sailors in themselves are weapons systems, and are the very best in their field, true information warriors,” said Commander James H. Henderson-Coffey, NIOC Georgia operations officer.
As a nation, our policies demand the capability to operate on or below the world’s waterways. In addition, our flexible military force requires highly specialized intelligence personnel to augment the seaborne assets within the Navy’s fleet. Both of these capabilities are sustained in part by utilizing specially trained personnel such as those found within direct support elements located at Navy Information Operations Command Georgia.
The whole story is HERE.

Wisdom of the Irish

Maguire’s Magnanimous Maxims

  1. “Leadership by walking around” is a good thing. Do lots of it. The Sailors love it.
  2. Remember when reviewing reports, messages, etc.,there are many ways to say the same thing.
  3. Don’t do things yourself. If there is a problem with something the DHs, DIVOFFs, XO give you, push it back down. Don’t do it yourself.
  4. Maintain your commanding officer’s detachment. Let your DHs, Chiefs, etc. be passionate in defense or condemnation of their Sailors. The CO needs to be rigorously dispassionate in dealing with an issue to do what’s best for the Command and the Navy.
  5. Be decisive. Sailors respect decisiveness even if the actions are initially viewed as harsh. They then know what to expect.
  6. Don’t take action or make pronouncements/policy decisions before you have all the facts. If you make that mistake, be decisive anyway. Sailors immediately key on oscillation.
  7. In case you didn’t hear it the first time: be dispassionate. Every decision I have seen bite a CO had been made based on anger and emotion.
  8. Depend on the input from Medical and Legal, but remember they are just recommendations.
  9. Always listen to your XO. Make sure your XO knows on a gut level he can disagree with you as strongly as he feels the need to be. Let the XO be the only one to see your doubts and concerns.
  10. Be clear as a bell about the direction you want to go and your standards. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
  11. Let your Sailors/Khaki do their jobs to the best way they know how. And hold them accountable when they don’t meet your standards.
  12. Communications are everything.
  13. Feedback is everything.
  14. Never base decisions on that you may have “gotten away with” in the past or present. Sometimes hypocrisy is a necessary evil.
  15. Be consistent.
  16. No “smiley” or “frowny” faces.

Admiral James S. McFarland Passed Away Ten Years Ago Today – We Miss You, Sir !

A native of Portland, Oregon, Rear Admiral McFarland graduated from Lewis and Clark College. His Naval career began in 1953 when he enlisted in the Naval Reserve. As a Third Class Petty Officer (YN), he was commissioned in 1957. After Communications School in Newport, Rhode Island, he spent four years in Hawaii working in Signals Security and making training and communications readiness visits to over 200 U.S. Navy ships. Staff duty in Washington, D.C. with Commander Naval Security Group followed from 1961-1963. This was followed by operational assignments at Karamursel, Turkey, and on USS Belmont (AGTR-4) as the Special Operations Officer. 

In 1967, he left the Staff, U.S. Atlantic Fleet for Vietnam, where he served primarily in support of U.S. Marine Corp Forces in support of tactical ground operations. The Armed Forces Staff College was next followed by a tour as Middle East Operations Officer. In 1971, he became the first Office-In-Charge of the Navy’s Current Support Group (CSG) in Rota, Spain where the unit earned the Navy Unit Citation for its support of the U.S. SIXTH Fleet during the Yom Kippur War and the 1974 Cyprus crisis. He returned to the Staff, U.S. Atlantic Fleet from 1975 to 1979. His next assignment was as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Misawa, Japan where he assumed command on 5 March 1979.

In 1981, Rear Admiral McFarland assumed duty as Chief, Naval Forces Division, at the National Security Agency (NSA); and in 1983, was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Cryptology, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet; Director, Naval Security Group Pacific (DIRNSGPAC). Early in 1985, he was selected for Flag Rank. His last assignment was as Commander, Naval Security Group Command (CNSG) from August 1986 to July 1990. Rear Admiral McFarland was also assigned as the Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) for the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).

Some of his personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat distinguishing device (for his time in Vietnam), Meritorious Service Medals and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

RADM McFarland was married to the former Paula Ann Wiise of Macon, Georgia for twenty-five years. He has six children, Scott, Brett, Suzanne, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Kelly.

A level of confidence I can appreciate


From: Mike Lambert
Sent: A year ago
To: Officer, Junior A.,  LCDR 
Subject: Congratulations on this new opportunity to excel
CONGRATULATIONS on your new assignment.
Let me know how I can help you make this the best assignment you’ve
ever had !!  Communication with your constituents is key.  I am standing
by to help in any way I can.

All the best to you.

Captain Mike Lambert
—————- Tear Line —————

From: Officer, Junior A LCDR 
To: Mike Lambert
Subject: RE: Congratulations on your new opportunity to excel

Thanks Captain.  No assistance required/desired. 

Best regards,
LCDR Junior A. Officer