Great Expectations

Rear Admiral Michael S. Rogers, the Navy's Cryptologist, is  certain to be confirmed for his third star and will most likely take his place as Commander, Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet at the end of September.  RADM Rogers said not to make too much of  this promotion.  Seriously though, this elevates the game, so to speak (we know it's not a game at all).  Many in the Navy don't understand the fuss we IWs are making about this.  Mike Rogers is coming back to the Navy from the Joint Community as the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J2) Director for Intelligence. For us, it's a big deal.

For the next several years he will be sitting at the table with the 3 and 4 stars of the military services.  He's been at that table before (and he's very comfortable there)  but he's not really had a speaking part.  Now, I would say that he not only has a seat at the table but he has a vote - and, as a community, we have not had that before.  Certainly, some of our Flags have earned the respect of the Navy's most senior leaders but we've never sat among them - with a true speaking part about broad Navy cryptologic capabilities and requirements.

RADM Mike Rogers is going to quickly become the personification of the cryptologic community. He's going to passionately and emotionally represent our capabilities and requirements to the Navy at large. Admiral Rogers brings just the right mix of charisma, enthusiasm, and authenticity to his new job in a natural way because he's carried them with him in all his previous jobs. This new opportunity for leadership is not his alone; it belongs to all of you in the IW community, the IDC and the Navy. Have the courage to share your ideas with him openly, frankly and often. He deserves that from all of us.