Category: Uncategorized

Add Number 14 to the Books – Another Navy Commanding Officer fired

VAQ-141’s (Shadowhawks) Commanding Officer, Commander Karl Pugh was fired for an ‘alcohol related incident’ in Manama, Bahrain.  Captain Jeff Davis, Commander Carrier Air Wing 8, fired Pugh after NJP on 19 July 2011.  The incident occurred on 12 July.
Commander Pugh is the 14th Commanding Officer fired this year.  Carrier Air Wing 8 is embarked in the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H W BUSH (CVN-77). Pugh will return to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for reassignment.
Commander Pugh’s Executive Officer, Commander Michael Miller has assumed command of VAQ-141.  He was not involved in the ‘alcohol related incident’.  No word on who was Commander Pugh’s wingman on 12 July 2011.

The Value of Sharing Information

Decisions about when to release information externally or internally depend, in large part, on the situation. However, commands should understand that there can be negative consequences of holding onto information. Here are some reasons why to release information as early as possible:
  •  The U.S. public, Congress and the media are entitled to “truthful, timely and accurate” information about the military, per the DoD Principles of Information.
  • Early release of information sets the pace and tone for resolution of a problem.
  • If you wait, the story will often leak anyway. When it does, you jeopardize trust and credibility – yours, the command’s and the Navy’s.
  • You can better control the accuracy of the information if you are the first to present it. If the story gets out incorrectly, it will remain incorrect.
  • There is more likely to be time for meaningful public involvement in decision-making if the information is released promptly.
  • Prompt release of information, including visual information, about one situation may prevent similar situations elsewhere.
  • Less work is required to release information early than to respond to inquiries, attacks, misinformation, etc., which might result from a delayed response.
  • If you wait, people may feel angry and resentful about not learning of the information earlier.
  • People are more likely to overestimate the risk if you hold onto information.

Information Warfare Officer Flag Meeting

 

In response to numerous queries about the Information Warfare Officer Flag meeting earlier this month, Tim Bovill, RADM Edward H. Deets’ Executive Assistant has prepared the minutes for this meeting.  RADM Deets was the sponsor of the Flag Meeting, as the Information Warfare Officer community and cryptologic community leader until his retirement on 5 August.  Tim Bovill is the POC for queries about the minutes of this meeting. 
The meeting was held at Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet.  All IWO Flags (except RDML Tighe) and Senior Executive Service civilian IW/CT leaders were in attendance.  VADM Kendall Card, the new DCNO for Information Dominance/Director of Naval Intelligence was also in attendance for the morning session.  Topics of discussion included: cross-detailing, the IWO slating process, the four topics from RADM Deets’ April communique to the community, future community leadership and a myriad of other subjects important to the future of the community.   
EVERYONE is reminded that if they have questions, they can contact their IW leadership directly for official information regarding the Information Warfare/cryptologic communities.  You are encouraged to do so.

Unlucky Number 13 Fired – "Loss of confidence in his ability to command"? or to drive a ship safely?

Rear Admiral Phillip Sawyer, Commander Task Force 74/54, relieved Captain Eric Merrill – CO USS EMORY S. LAND (AS39) as a result of an investigation into an incident that occurred June 21 in which AS39 struck a channel buoy during an inbound transit to Mina Salman port in Bahrain. At admiral’s mast July 15, Merrill was awarded non-judicial punishment for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 110 (improper hazarding of vessel). 
In early 2010, Emory S. Land completed its conversion from an all U.S. Navy Sailor crew to an integrated crew of Sailors and civilian mariners, becoming the first submarine tender to operate under this hybrid crew concept.  Emory S. Land remains under the command of a U.S. Navy captain, though not the one who assumed command in September 2010.
Captain Merrill completed nearly 10 months in command of AS39.  He has been administratively reassigned to the staff of Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Captain Thomas Stanley, previous commanding officer of submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), has assumed command of AS39  until a permanent replacement is named. Following the collision, the submarine tender pulled into port in Bahrain where it is currently making preparations for repairs. No crew members were injured in the incident. Investigations are in progress.

Importance of writing

Therefore, I count writing among the most significant of all human efforts. Good writing, after all, is simply the result of enormous reading, detailed research, and careful thought. It means studying to gain a good vocabulary, and practicing to learn how to use it. It seems to me that these kindred skills should be developed and nourished from the very first, if man is to grow intellectually. And unless he can express his thoughts well, he can exert little influence on his fellow men.

Admiral Chaim Rikower

The Fate of the World Depends on You

I believe it is the duty of each of us to act as if the fate of the world depended on him. Admittedly, one man by himself cannot do the job. However, one man can make a difference. Each of us is obligated to bring his individual and independent capacities to bear upon a wide range of human concerns. It is with this conviction that we squarely confront our duty to prosperity. We must live for the future of the human race, and not of our own comfort or success.
Admiral Chiam Rikower

The Principle of Excellence

This principle of excellence is one which Americans seem to be losing, and at a time when the Nation stands in need of it. A lack of excellence implies mediocrity. And in a society that is willing to accept a standard of mediocrity, the opportunities for personal failure are boundless. Mediocrity can destroy us as surely as perils far more famous.
It is important that we distinguish between what it means to fail at a task and what it means to be mediocre. There is all the difference in the world between the life lived with dignity and style which ends in failure, and one which achieves power and glory, yet is dull, unoriginal, unreflective, and mediocre. In a real sense, what matters is not so much whether we make a lot of money or hold a prestigious job; what matter is that we seek out others with knowledge and enthusiasm—that we become people who can enjoy our own company.
Admiral H. Rickover

Rear Admiral Edward H. Deets III to retire

Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command (NETWARCOM), RADM Ned Deets has requested to retire from the Navy effective 1 October 2011.  His retirement ceremony will be held on 5 August 2011.  More details to follow from his executive assistant – Mr. Tim Bovill. 
Rear Admiral Deets is the leader of the Information Warfare and Cryptology community and a qualified Information Dominance Warfare officer (IDWO).  
His full bio is available HERE.
In March 2011, Vice Admiral Jack Dorsett announced the CNO’s intent to disestablish NETWARCOM this summer.

Deputy Commander, United States Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet

Rear Admiral Matthew J. Kohler

Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/

U.S. 10th Fleet

 

A native of Erie Pennsylvania, Rear Admiral Kohler graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and was commissioned an Ensign in 1984 through the Aviation Officer Candidate School, Pensacola Florida. His operational tours include Aviation Intelligence Officer for Fighter Squadron One Hundred Two (VF 102) at NAS Oceana, Virginia; Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (N2) for Commander Amphibious Squadron One (COMPHIBRON One) in San Diego, California; and Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (N2) for Cruiser Destroyer Group Two (CCDG Two)/USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Battle Group based in Norfolk, Virginia.
Rear Admiral Kohler’s shore tours include: Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Center/U.S. Naval Forces Europe in London England; Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington DC; Joint Warfare Analysis Center in Dahlgren, Virginia; United States Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida; and Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West, Florida. Rear Admiral Kohler most recently served as Deputy chief, Tailored Access Operations, S32, National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Maryland.
He was announced as Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet by the Secretary of the Navy on 5 July 2011.
Rear Admiral Kohler is a Naval Intelligence Officer, Information Dominance Warfare Officer, and Joint Specialty Officer. He holds Masters Degrees from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (Computer Science) and from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (Military History).
Rear Admiral Kohler’s personal awards include two Defense Superior Service Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Naval Commendation Medals and one Joint Achievement Medal.