Author: captain1610

A Genuine Officer and A Gentleman

Happy Birthday Rear Admiral Eugene S. Ince Jr!
On this date in 1926, Eugene St. Clair Ince Jr. was born to Eugene and Jay Green Ince. He is an only child. The love of his life, Jean Marion Gregory Ince passed on 12 January 2009. Theirs was a love story that lasted a lifetime. His proposal to Jean is truly legendary and their story has been featured in Gourmet Magazine and many others. They were married on 8 June 1949 in Oak Park, Illinois following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy-Annapolis, Maryland.
Admiral Ince was a Naval Aviator. During the Korean War, he deployed with VA-115 in USS PHILIPPINE SEA and USS KEARSARGE. He had 128 successful carrier ‘traps’. Following the Korean War, he was a flight instructor. He attended the Naval Postgraduate School (Naval Intelligence) and the Defense Language Institute (Russian) in Monterey, California. In June 1960 he changed designators from 1310 (Naval Aviator) to 1610 (Special Duty- Cryptology). From 1966-1968, he was the Commanding Officer of NSGA Skaggs Island. He went on to become the Operations Officer (G50) for Naval Security Group Command and the Deputy OP944B at OPNAV.
He served as Commander, Naval Security Group Command from August 1978 to September 1980.
Today, he’s living the good life in Madison, Virginia.

This timely note from Hugh MacLeod at GAPING VOID

You’re sitting in a meeting and the guy next you is getting torn apart by the department head. His project strategy is being ripped to shreds, every weakness exposed.  You feel a little bad for the guy, sure, but mostly, you’re grateful.

You’re grateful everyone at the table cares enough to bring their work in and hold it up to intense scrutiny. That your co-workers are about doing amazing work, not ego.

You’re grateful that when the same project comes up the next week – stronger and better- that the guy sitting next you gets congratulated for turning it around.

Real honesty isn’t always pleasant. But nothing means anything without it.

Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet Goals 2011 versus 2015

2011
Goal 1 – Operations – Conduct full spectrum cyberspace operations in support of Navy, Joint and National missions
Goal 2 – Force Shaping – Shape the Navy’s cyber workforce that supports and satisfies Navy, Joint and National missions
Goal 3 – Capabilities and Requirements – Provide Navy cyberspace capabilities to support Navy, Joint and National missions
2015
Goal 1: Assure Mission Systems for Navy Command and Control (C2)

Goal 2: Provide Tailored Signals Intelligence

Goal 3: Deliver Warfighting Effects Through Cyberspace

Goal 4: Create Shared Cyber Situational Awareness

Goal 5: Establish and Mature Navy’s Cyber Mission Forces

The Power of a Note

By Joe Byerly

Tonight I read an article in the Army Times titled Nearly Half of Soldiers say Army isn’t committed to them and for whatever reason it made me think of a handwritten note I received almost 10 years ago from my Battalion Commander.

It reads:

2LT__________ I just want to thank you for all the hard work you have done over the last several months. You have shown great initiative and aggressiveness in all the tasks assigned to you. You have made a tremendous impact not only on your Troop but also in the Squadron. Your efforts are not going unnoticed. I am not saying by me only. I am saying that your men notice what you do and the professionalism that you exhibit. It is refreshing to see young LTs like you, knowing that you are going to be one hell of a leader! Keep it up! _________ 6

I’m not sure I still have all of the Army memorabilia that I’ve acquired over the years, but I’ve still kept that note. I keep it as a reminder that a small act, something as simple as a handwritten correspondence, can let a junior leader know that his or her service and sacrifices are appreciated. It probably only took him 10-15 minutes to do it, but it still resonates with me almost a decade later. To many junior leaders the microcosm of their unit (Brigade and below) is the Army, and if we show them that we care and are committed to them, in their eyes the Army cares and is committed to them. 

I challenge anyone who reads this post to take a few minutes out of their schedule and let a subordinate know that you appreciate their efforts with a handwritten note.  Joe Byerly

Read more From the Green Notebook HERE.

Our Navigator for Today – John Maxwell


The Law of Navigation – Anyone Can Steer the Ship, but It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course.

First-rate navigators always have in mind that other people are depending on them and their ability to chart a good course.

Before good leaders take their people on a journey, they go through a process in order to give the trip the best chance of being a success:

  • Navigators Draw on Past Experience – every past success and failure you’ve experienced can be a valuable source of information and wisdom. Success teaches you what you’re capable of doing and gives you confidence. However, your failures can often teach greater lessons, if you allow them to. If you fail to learn from your mistakes, you’re going to fail again and again.
  • Navigators Examine the Conditions Before Making Commitments – No good leader plans a course of action without paying attention to current conditions. Good navigators count the cost before making commitments for themselves and others.
  • Navigators Listen To What Others Have to Say – Navigating leaders get ideas from many sources. They listen to members of their leadership team. They spend time with leaders of other organizations who can mentor them. They always think in terms of relying on a team, not just themselves.
  • Navigators Make Sure Their Conclusions Represent Both Faith and Fact – A leader has to possess a positive attitude. If you can’t confidently make the trip in your mind, you’re not going to be able to take it in real life. On the other hand, you also have to be able to see the facts realistically. If you don’t go in with your eyes wide open, you’re going to get blindsided. Balancing optimism and realism, faith and fact can be very difficult.

Charting A Course with A Navigation Strategy – here’s an acrostic that the author used repeatedly in his leadership.

  • Predetermine a course of action. 
  • Lay out your goals.
  • Adjust your priorities.
  • Notify key personnel.
  • Allow time for acceptance. 
  • Head into action.
  • Expect problems.
  • Always point to the successes. 
  • Daily review your plan.

The secret to the Law of Navigation is preparation. When you prepare well, you convey confidence and trust to people. Leaders who are good navigators are capable of taking their people just about anywhere. 

U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH Fleet Strategic Plan

VADM Barry McCullough’s Strategic Plan for Fleet Cyber Command (HERE) is due for a refresh and VADM Jan E. Tighe’s staff is working on a tight timeline to deliver a new strategy by 21 November according to a e-mail to her Commanding Officers, Assistant Chiefs of Staff and Special Assistants. It’s an ambitious schedule and delivery of the final product is in the very capable hands of Captain Roy Petty (FCC/C10F N5) and ELG (contractor).
For those who have an interest, the schedule looks something like this.
Strategic Plan Development Timeline:
– 15 Oct:  VTC with Leaders providing key information on the Strategic Plan initiative and Q&A
– 17 Oct:  Inputs received from Leaders on Draft Strategic Plan
– 31 Oct:  SME’s have fleshed out areas where additional detail is required
– 07 Nov:  N5 provides smooth Draft Strategic Plan to ELG
– 14 Nov:  ELG provides smooth Draft Strategic Plan to VADM Tighe
– 21 Nov:  FCC/C10F Strategic Plan released

The Framework for the new Strategic Plan was distributed to COs, ACOSs and SAs but I don’t have a copy available for your review.  Check with your command leadership for more information.

Shipmate Linnea Sommer-Weddington Promoted to Rear Admiral


From Navy News:

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) — Capt. Linnea J. Sommer-Weddington was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) during a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, Oct. 4.

“Becoming a flag officer was not anything I set out to do,” Sommer-Weddington said. “My aim always was to accomplish the mission, do my best in whatever assignment I had and leave things a bit better.”

According to Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (technical) Kristie Barbier, a senior enlisted leader at Information Dominance Corps (IDC) Midwest, leaving things a bit better than when she found them is exactly what Sommer-Weddington did throughout her career. Barbier said she views her as a true mentor who showed her and others there are no roadblocks to success — even for women.

Not even a bout with cancer slowed her down. In 2008, Sommer-Weddington was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the support of friends, family, and colleagues, she battled her disease while still staying in command. She is now in remission.  

Guest speaker Rear Adm. James Plehal praised the Navy’s newest admiral and discussed her success as a leader with more than 25 years of experience. 

“From the beginning she proved that you don’t have to be a grandstander, you don’t have to be shrill to be heard, you don’t have to sell out to compromise, you don’t have to be a cut throat person to get ahead (nor) somebody who sucks all the air out of the room in order to be strong and effective leader,” said Plehal.

Plehal went on to say that Sommer-Weddington is the first female reserve officer to carry a star on her shoulder boards as commander, Information Dominance Corps (IDC) Southwest. She is among only a handful of female flag officers who serve in the Navy today.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced Sommer-Weddinton’s nomination in July.

A New Jersey native, Sommer-Weddington graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock State College, Pennsylvania, before enlisting in the Navy as a cryptologic technician interpretive seaman. She became a Russian linguist during the end of the Cold War era and left active duty as a petty officer second class in 1986. Sommer-Weddington returned two years later as a commissioned officer in the Navy Reserve. She earned her Master of Business Administration from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1996.