Musings, leadership tidbits and quotes posted by a retired Navy Captain (really just a high performing 2nd Class Petty Officer) who hung up his uniform a bit too early. He still wears his Navy service on his sleeve. He needs to get over that. "ADVANCE WARNING – NO ORIGINAL THOUGHT!" A "self-appointed" lead EVANGELIST for the "cryptologic community". Keeping CRYPTOLOGY alive-one day and Sailor at a time. 2019 is 84th Anniversary of the Naval Security Group.
We are the United States Navy, our Nation’s sea power – ready guardians of peace, victorious in war. ((Brevity approved by CDR SALAMANDER))
Admiral Fiske has the courage of his convictions and they are founded on knowledge and experience. He believes that what he said about the bad condition of our Navy before the House Committee on Naval Affairs last December was strictly true; that it is unprepared for emergency and has lacked facilities for training its men for war work. Granted that the Admiral may be a trifle pessimistic and inclined to look to the dark side, no testimony whatever in contradiction to his statements has been forthcoming.
The country has abundant faith in its Naval officers, while it has no reason to be confident of the good judgment of the civil head of the Navy. Perhaps Secretary Daniels is as well fitted to his exhalted position as many of his predecessors, but these are perilous times and there is a widespread desire to have our defenses put in good order. It seems that the statements of an officer of the large experience of Admiral Fiske should be heeded. It is not to be doubted that he has the good of the Navy and of the country at heart.
The withdrawal of Admiral Fiske from his post as Aid for Operations in the Navy Department is not a matter of trifling importance. As the foremost among the advisers of the Secretary, his appointment to the new post of Chief of Naval Operations seemed logical. The report is that the Admiral has requested to be transferred because he is not in accord with the policy that prevails at the department. What is that policy? The people would like to know. Is it chiefly concerned with the prevention of the use of alcoholic liquor and the appointment of new chaplains? Does it depend altogether on the Secretary’s conception of himself as a headmaster in a school? If so, it is perhaps an amiable and well-meant policy, but it does not meet present requirements.
The inference that an experienced officer like Admiral Fiske would prefer not to take up the responsibilities of Chief of Naval Operations under the present conditions, is somewhat disturbing.
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.I proudly serve my country’s Navy Combat Team with HONOR, COURAGE and COMMITMENT.
I am committed to excellence and fair treatment of all.
Happy 233rd Birthday to our great United States Navy !!
“Global Commons” is a term which is gaining popularity in DoD circles. We are seeing it more and more in strategy documents and in speeches by senior DoD and Navy officials.
In the civilian commercial sector we are seeing “Global Commons” as a reference to (1) information, (2) commerce and (3) community.
For DoD, “Global Commons” broadly refers to the domains of (1) land, (2) sea, and (3) air – including space and cyberspace.
In old English law, the common (or commons) was a tract of ground shared by residents of a village of town, but not belonging to anyone in particular.
“The captain, thus, is the sole word of authority aboard the ship, and every decision rests squarely on his shoulders. Even after electronics created the ability to “talk to the boss” around the clock, anywhere in the world, the habit of autonomous operations continues to reside in the naval forces. “Command by Negation,” a concept unique to naval command and control, allows a subordinate commander the freedom to operate as he or she sees best, keeping authorities informed of decisions taken, until the senior overrides a decision. The Navy is the only service that uses the acronym UNODIR (UNless Otherwise DIRected) by which a commanding officer informs the boss of a proposed course of action, and only if the boss overrides it, will it not be taken. The subordinate is informing the boss, not asking permission.”THE ARMED FORCES OFFICER, 2007
“Every officer of our Navy should feel in each fiber of his being an eager desire to emulate the energy, the professional capacity, the indomitable determination and dauntless scorn of death which marked John Paul Jones above all his fellows.”
President Theodore Roosevelt
Three articles (NO LONGER) pending publication in Proceedings magazine.
One article being written now for publication in Proceedings magazine
Five articles published in Proceedings magazine. AND, 5 rejected. After batting 1.000 for over a year, now I am batting .500 – still good enough for the Hall of Fame.
I Like The Cut of His Jib 