CNO's Guiding Principles - A refresher

• Our primary mission is warfighting. All our efforts to improve capabilities, develop people, and structure our organizations should be grounded in this fundamental responsibility.  
• People are the Navy’s foundation. We have a professional and moral obligation to uphold a covenant with Sailors, Civilians and their families – to ably lead, equip, train and motivate.
• Our approach should be Joint and combined when possible. However, we own the sea, and must also be able to operate independently when necessary. 
• Our primary Joint partner is the U.S. Marine Corps. We must continue to evolve how we will operate and fight as expeditionary warfare partners. 
• At sea and ashore, we must be ready to part with Navy roles, programs and traditions if they are not integral to our future vision or a core element of our mission.  
• We must ensure today’s force is ready for its assigned missions. Maintaining ships and aircraft to their expected service lives is an essential contribution to fleet capacity.  
• Our Navy Ethos defines us and describes the standard for character and behavior. 
• We must clearly and directly communicate our intent and expectations both within and outside the Navy. 
• I believe in the “Charge of Command.” We will train and empower our leaders with authorities commensurate with their responsibilities.

I hope someone in your chain of command has discussed this with you on some level.  If not, seek them out and ask why not?  This should end up in the Chiefs Mess, the wardroom and in the Plan of the Week.  Help get it there.  Bring it up.