The lure of something new and different is powerful in a society where change for its own sake is considered good, and has much more appeal than the lowlier and more painful process of re-establishing our identity and redirecting our internal philosophy to express that identity. Nevertheless, the time has come for us to move from a period of accommodation to one of reassertion of our basic principles.
The place to start is with our people. The education and professional development of each Navyman, from recruit (or officer candidate) to trainee to qualified professional, should be founded on a system of values and standards that are unequivocally stated the day the prospective Navyman walks into the recruiting office and professionally developed throughout the entire process of training and service.
The Stranger in the Crowd
Lieutenant Commander K.C. Jacobsen
USNI Proceedings
September 1974
3 comments:
This guy lost me with his opening sentence, a premise simultaneously dubious and void of meaning...
Rules, regulations, and the traditions of the service set our standards. Leadership in precept and example maintain our values. The Navy knows how to be the Navy without deliberate inculcation and cant.
Rickover had it right: you can't teach this stuff and you shouldn't preach it. Leave the pontification to pontiffs.
Rubber Ducky,
I will send you the whole article. It makes sense when you consider the timeframe in which it was written.
All the best
Thanks for all your comments.
Happy New Year.
Thanks Mike.
Post a Comment