If you sense that your organization is spending more time on the bureaucracy of solving a problem than on the actual solution, you need to simplify the problem-solving process.

“Shorting issues to ground” means finding the quickest path – from problem to solution – avoiding the non-value-adds procedures and delays.

“We must never lose sight of the fact that it is our Sailors who carry the burdens of our bad decisions.” 

Admiral John Harvey
Commander, Fleet Forces Command

“Go back to the time when you were the idealist, when you stood for something, when your dreams were clearer than the reality that told you that you were crazy. Go back to that. Be that person again…the one we used to love.”  The one your Sailors loved.

Simon Sinek
“Will We Cry When You Die?”
Author of “START WITH WHY”

This is viewed by many skeptics as damage control efforts and will go a long way in deflecting criticism of Secretary Mabus’ naming of the USS John Murtha and USS Gabrielle Giffords.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report on ship naming is HERE.

General David Petraeus
2007 TIME magazine “Person of the Year Runner Up”

Many thanks to Scott Adams.  More of his brilliance HERE.

For my Shipmate, stay awesome.  Your Shipmates may not catch on but they’ll never be able to attach that anchor chain if you keep moving forward.  Some folks will refuse to follow you, even when you are one of the few who actually knows the way.

1.  Sometimes ‘good’ is not good enough.
2.  In the beginning – keep your hair cut, your shoes shined and you mouth shut.
3.  Hard work never killed anyone.  Not any Sailors, anyway. 
4.  Keep at it until you get it right.  If it’s not right, you’re not done.
5.  Always tell the truth.  That way you never have to remember what you said.
6.  The only way to know what’s going on on the mid-watch is to be on the mid-watch.  Visit your people on the mid-watch.  Day ladies, that means you.
7.  Always write it down.  Take my word for it.  You’ll wish you had written it down.
8.  Take care of your people.  Toughen them up for the long haul.  20-30 years in the service can wear a person down.  No professional compromises.  You’ll regret them.
9.  A good Fitness Report writes itself.  Do the hard work required to do a great job.
10.  Never ask one of your people to write their own award or Fitness Report.  It’s not right.  And if it’s not right, you’re not done.  Go back and write their award and Fitness Report.  They deserve the recognition.

CAPT Robert Marin
United States Navy
COWPENS’ Eleventh Commanding Officer

Captain Rob Marin was born in Los Angeles, California. He started his Naval career in June 1983 as a Constructionman Recruit. After being selected for an ROTC Scholarship, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1987 and was commissioned as an Ensign.

His sea duty assignments include tours of duty in USS JOSEPH STRAUSS (DDG-16) as the First Lieutenant, USS JOHN YOUNG (DD-973) as the Combat Information Center Officer, USS CROMMELIN (FFG-37) as the Combat Systems Officer, Commander Destroyer Squadron ONE as the Combat Systems Officer, Executive Officer, USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG-48) and Commanding Officer, USS GARY (FFG-51).

His shore assignments include Flag Lieutenant for Commander, Naval Surface Reserve Force; Appropriations Congressional Liaison in Washington DC; student at the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College.

In November 2006 Captain Marin returned to Washington to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare Directorate (OPNAV N86) and assumed duties as the Financial Branch Head.

Captain Marin has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold stars, and Navy Achievement Medal with 1 gold star.