Author: captain1610

In it for the long haul

When I was a young Ensign, I believed my Navy career was a sprint and we could make a difference in the Cryptologic Community in a few years. As I continued to serve, as a Lieutenant Commander, I realized it was a marathon and I had to pace myself to be in it for the long haul  And 30 years later, when I was a Captain approaching early retirement, I realized it is a relay race and I would have to hand off the baton to another group of junior officers to continue the run. Nice to see my former Shipmates carrying the baton so purposefully.  Thank you.

Archer A. Vandegrift – Moral Courage

Moral courage involves both the fortitude to do what is right in the face of not just failure, but disgrace, and the willingness to set aside profound personal considerations. Military education emphasizes and rewards “boldness”; taking calculated risks to win. But that same education inculcates limits on acceptable risks.
Junior officers at the beginning of service typically envision physical courage as at or near the pinnacle of martial virtues and are apt to overlook or diminish moral courage. Those who go on to extended careers discover that physical courage is commonplace in American armed forces, but that a depth of moral courage is an indispensable quality for higher command and that it is rarer than physical courage – or boldness.

LEADERSHIP EMBODIED

On this day in 1923, a hero was born

On 9 September 1965, Commander James Stockdale flew his 202nd and final combat mission over North Vietnam in an A-4 Skyhawk. What should have been a straightforward attack against a group of railroad cars south of Thanh Hoa turned into a seven-year odyssey that transformed this 40-year-old commander of Air Wing 16 into one of the U.S. Navy’s most inspirational heroes.

Stockdale was born on 23 December 1923 in Abingdon, Ill., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946. Initially a surface officer on fast minesweepers, he transferred to aviation in 1949, earning his wings in 1950. Stockdale immediately proved to be a standout aviator.

The superb bust of Admiral Stockdale was carved by American patriot Master Chief Larry Nowell.   You can see more of his excellent work HERE.

VADM Ted Branch has returned to leadership of OPNAV N2N6

Back in November I reported the unpleasant news that VADM Branch was placed on temporary leave.  
I am very happy to report that VADM Branch has returned to his duties as OPNAV N2/N6 with some restrictions while the Navy’s due process continues.  Lots of important Navy work to get done and it is nice to have our N2N6 leadership back in place to get the work done.  I believe it is safe to say that the N2N6 enjoys the full faith and confidence of the CNO but everyone involved understands that the investigation process must continue to its lawful conclusion.

THE NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER AND PETTY OFFICER: BACKBONE OF THE ARMED FORCES

From the NDU Press –
 
The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces has been converted to an e-book format. This new format makes the book readable not only on desktop and laptop computers, but also on Apple’s iPad, Sony’s Reader, the Barnes & Noble Nook, and Android-based phones.
 

A first of its kind, this book—of, by, and for the noncommissioned officer and petty officer—is a comprehensive explanation of the enlisted leader across the U.S. Armed Services. It complements The Armed Forces Officer, the latest edition of which was published by NDU Press in 2007, as well as the Services’ NCO/PO manuals and handbooks. Written by a team of Active, Reserve, and retired senior enlisted leaders from all Service branches, this book defines and describes how NCOs/POs fit into an organization, centers them in the Profession of Arms, explains their dual roles of complementing the officer and enabling the force, and exposes their international engagement. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey writes in his foreword to the book, “We know noncommissioned officers and petty officers to have exceptional competence, professional character, and soldierly grit—they are exemplars of our Profession of Arms.”

Aspirational and fulfilling, this book helps prepare young men and women who strive to become NCOs/POs, re-inspires serving enlisted leaders, and stimulates reflection by those who have retired from or left active service. It also gives those who have never worn the uniform a better understanding of who these exceptional men and women are, and why they are properly known as the “Backbone of the Armed Forces.”

You can download the entire book free HERE.

What Makes A Good Petty Officer? – For the Sailors of CIDU Monterey California

“Good Petty Officers know what their uniform, their Navy, and their flag stands for. They are proud members of the best fighting organization in the world. The United States Navy.
Good Petty Officers are concerned with their Sailors’ individual welfare and their future. They pat their Sailors on the back when they do well, and give them hell when they need it. That way they make better Sailors and make progress. They teach their trade. They encourage. They inspire. They are consistent. They are competitive. Their outfit is the best. They assume responsibility. They give their Sailors responsibility. They pass the word. They create team spirit.

Good Petty Officers put their hearts and souls into their work. They radiate enthusiasm and spark. They know the Navy. They know their rates, and they genuinely appreciate what they know.

Good Petty Officers recognize that success comes from the effort of a larger number of people, not just one or two. The whole organization has to function well, not just a few members.”

ADM Arleigh A. Burke

Crown Jewel of the Navy Information Operations Commands
During my career, the Naval Security Group had commands that over time had become known as the crown jewels of the NSG.  U.S. NSGA Edzell, U.S. NSGA Misawa and G80/GX/NIWA immediately come to mind.  What would you consider to be the crown jewels among the commands of Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet today?
Edzell no longer exists, Misawa is on its way out and G80/GX/NIWA is the last of the group but transformed into Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group (NCWDG – Nick Wedge). NIOC Georgia and NIOC Ft Meade are gaining prominence.  But, are they the crown jewels?  You call it.

Opposite ends of the spectrum

Over the past month I had two very different conversations with two very different COs in our Information Dominance Corps.  The subject of my blog came up and I swear I didn’t bring it up.  In one circumstance, the XO brought it up and in the other, the CO brought it up himself.

One CO said he was simply too busy to read my blog or any others.

The other CO said he was too busy not to read my blog and others.

This reminds me of the survey a few years ago on the blog about readership.

People who read this blog can be divided into four groups.

  • 25% like it for the right reasons.
  • 25% hate it for the wrong reasons.
  • 25% like it for the wrong reasons.
  • 25% hate it for the right reasons.

I’m not sure which group concerns me more.

And, there is another group out there that lurks through the blog and is afraid to admit that they check the blog just to make sure they haven’t missed something important about the community.  In any case, I welcome all reader and comments – please limit the profanity.