Sunday, May 29, 2016

Another letter of note



From one of many great former First Class Petty Officers on our crew at U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Yokosuka, Japan 1997-2000.  That crew was amazing - 1997 & 1998 CNSG Maintenance Award; 1998, 1999 & 2000 Captain's Cup; 1999 Silver Anchor; 2000 GOLD Anchor, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation 1997 - 2000.  What a crew !!

Saturday, May 28, 2016

A note ... of note - as the years go by


The "art of the letter" is not completely lost.  I see glimmers of hope every day in my mailbox.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Write to be read


I am a big proponent of writing in a journal to capture ideas and thoughts. There is certainly great value in writing for yourself. I continue to find that my brain is greatly stimulated by writing to be read. The greatest benefit of writing is what it does to expand your brain’s capacity. Find ways to write to be read – by writing things for your friends to read, by capturing the stories of your childhood, starting your own blog or whatever – just write to be read.
 21 other ways to overclock your brain from The RIRIAN Project HERE.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Proud of all of these young new cryptologic warfare commanders

Special Duty Officer (Information Warfare)
Arellano Ron Joseph 0014
Berensen Dane Eric 0023
Bishop Stephen Wade 0006
 Cardwell Gregory Shawn 0025
Christmas Geoffrey Dav 0007
 Dobkins Thomas W 0013
Everhart Anthony J 0004
 Griffin Matthew Thomas 0009
Hall Charles Howard 0019
 Harrison Joseph Benjam 0005
Hubner Suzanne Theresa 0022
 Kantz Stephen M 0017
Lowery Timothy Edward 0008
 Mengwasser Alan Carl 0020
Moore Josie L 0001
Olivi Gary Michael 0002
Schuhart Russell Gerar 0018
 Schulz Brian Landry 0015
Smith Kenneth Gene 0011
 Sproat Robert Joseph 0016
Staub Patrick Allen 0024
 Steves Frederick Bente 0003
Thomas Yonnette D 0010
 Thompson Patrick Aaron 0021
Vergow Joshua James 0012
 Wilson William M 0026

Some of these were fine young petty officers in another life.

Thankful that a couple of them gave the Navy a second chance to get it right!!


Tuesday, May 24, 2016

I make this choice every day


Why Mattering Matters

I choose to make the choice everyday to offer, thank, encourage, inspire, and let others know I notice and believe in them. It is often the most powerful thing I do all day.

I am afflicted with ...


Monday, May 23, 2016

Heads up !! NIOD Kaneohe Bay Change of Charge in June

In a time honored Navy tradition, Lieutenant Commander David T. Spalding will be relieved as Officer in Charge, NIOD Kaneohe Bay in June.

Navy Information Operations Detachment Kaneohe Bay Sailors support Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TWO's expeditionary Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Forces in support of THIRD, FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleet operations fighting today's War on Terror and ready to engage tomorrow's adversaries.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Advice to the XO


This is #10 in the series of over 150 of my letters to the Executive Officer in 2013

My advice to you in your new role as XO:

Do it the Navy way first!  There are lots of things that have to be done and they all fall into your swim lane.  When you immerse yourself in the XO job, you are going to find you are responsible for the whole damn pool.  And, you thrive on responsibility.  The new CO and those Sailors are counting on you.

Read the regs, pubs, and instructions. They are important.  You, more than anyone else in the command, are the rule master.  Every rule can't and SHOULDN'T be followed to the letter (if at all).  You have to be smart enough to know what the rules are and you have to be smart about what can't or shouldn't be followed.  Let the CO know where you or the command are deviating.  Never leave him holding the bag.  At the same time, you can't go to him for a ruling on every decision.  You and the CO will have to coordinate closely.  Have a good plan and try to stick to it.  The CO has to have complete confidence in your ability to get the job done.  Give him that confidence.  Don't make him search for it.  Never put him in the position of being the bad guy.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Don't like telling people what to do? Tell them "WHY", it makes it easier.


Notes from the field...

Got your note today saying you did not like telling people what to do.  Mostly, because their first inclination is not to do it.  Your Navy must be on a different planet than mine.  We are in the business of telling Sailors what needs to be done.  It is good for them to know WHY.  The "how" should be left to them unless there is a proscribed Navy 'how'.

The essence of being a Naval officer is getting the right things done, the right way, at the right time by the right people.  To do that, you are going to have to tell people to do things.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Give your brain the day off


Go do some easy reading and catch up on the Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet Strategic Plan.  You can read it HERE.  Make your chain of command happy.  Talk about it.  Debate it.  But, for goodness sake, at least read it.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Sage advice from the old man


1.  Sometimes 'good' is not good enough.
2.  In the beginning - keep your hair cut, your shoes shined and your mouth shut.
3.  Hard work never killed anyone.  Not any Sailors, anyway. 
4.  Keep at it until you get it right.  If it's not right, you're not done.
5.  Always tell the truth.  That way you never have to remember what you said.
6.  The only way to know what's going on on the mid-watch is to be on the mid-watch.  Visit your people on the mid-watch.  Day ladies, that means you.
7.  Always write it down.  Take my word for it.  You'll wish you had written it down.
8.  Take care of your people.  Toughen them up for the long haul.  20-30 years in the service can wear a person down.  No professional compromises.  You'll regret them.
9.  A good Fitness Report writes itself.  Do the hard work required to do a great job.
10.  Never ask one of your people to write their own award or Fitness Report.  It's not right.  And if it's not right, you're not done.  Go back and write their award and Fitness Report.  They deserve the recognition.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

What's your point?


If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever.  Use a pile driver.  Hit the point once.  Then come back and hit it a second time - a tremendous whack!

Sir Winston Churchill

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Action


To take NO action is to take UNDECIDED action.

Robert S. McNamara

Friday, May 13, 2016

Busy? I don't buy it. Don't even try to sell it.

1. False feeling of being productive
2. False feeling of being important
3. Being continuously busy dilutes the focus to your priorities
4. ‘I’m not busy’ is way cooler.
I recommend:
Put “busy” in your B.S. column.  It may have to get pulled out every once in a while. In the meantime, put it away when another word would be truer. 

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Letter of Note



I'll post her reply tomorrow.

Meanwhile - keeping cryptology alive...
UNCLASSIFIED
ROUTINE
R101148Z MAY 16
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS
NAVADMIN 106/16
SUBJ/DESIGNATION OF THE CRYPTOLOGIC WARFARE COMMUNITY// MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N2N6/MAY// AMPN/NAVADMIN 023/16, INFORMATION DOMINANCE CORPS REDESIGNATED INFORMATION WARFARE COMMUNITY// POC/WILSON/LTJG/OPNAV N2N6C1/-/TEL:  (703) 604-6288 / EMAIL: CHRISTOPHER.WILSON(AT)NAVY.MIL//

RMKS/1. As discussed reference (a), officers with designators 181X, 681X, and 781X are designated as Cryptologic Warfare effective immediately.

2. From the establishment of the Communications Security Group, the cryptologic community has continued to evolve to meet and defeat the threats it faces. The transition of the Information Dominance Corps to the Information Warfare Community in concert with the Chief of Naval Operations Design for Maritime Superiority has given Cryptologists another opportunity to formalize this evolution and define community identity. The Cryptologic Warfare designation honors the cryptologic heritage, recognizes the military effects these warfighters deliver, and aligns these officers along with Cyber Warfare Engineers, Cyber Warrant Officers, and Civilian personnel with their enlisted force.

3.Released By Vice Admiral Ted N. Branch, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, OPNAV N2N6.//

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Some thinking about writing

1. Writing Can Be Persuasive
If you can master the ability to persuade in print, you can create almost anything you want.  – Andy DrishThe Foundation
2. Writing Builds a Network
Your personal writing practice, assuming you are sharing what you are writing, can help you build a network and a following.  – Mike Ambassador BrunyNo More Reasonable Doubt 
3. It Demonstrates Expertise
Writing is a great form of self-reflection, but it is also a great way to build your brand, credibility and expertise. – Wendi Weiner, JD, NCRW, CPRW, CCTC, CCMThe Writing Guru
4. Writing Can Help You Build Credibility
If you write well, you can deliver your message effectively to people. – Dr. Cherry Collier,Personality Matters, INC.
5. Writing Positions You as an Expert and Builds a Following
Writing and publishing content consistently can be a great strategy for positioning yourself as a thought leader and building engagement with your target audience.  – Barbara SafaniCareer Solvers
6. Writing Allows You to Be Your Own Thought Leader
Write for yourself as if you’re a thought leader — short pieces of maybe 750 words. – Michael PollockPollock Spark
7. It Allows for Greater Reflection
Start by writing for your own reflection and learning. – Bill GardnerNoetic Outcomes Consulting, LLC
8. Writing Clears Your Head
Just write three pages every morning in a journal. – Jo IlfeldSuccess Reboot
9. It Reminds You of Your Purpose and Values
Constantly reassessing your purpose and values is key to remaining vibrant as a leader. 
10. It Helps You Build Confidence
A daily writing practice is ideal, but any kind of regular practice is great.  – Cha TekeliChalamode, Inc.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Overheard in my head today

"Show me a Naval officer who doesn't write and I'll show you a Naval officer who doesn't think much."

"If you’ve never written anything thoughtful, then you’ve never had any difficult, important, or interesting thoughts. That’s the secret: people who don’t write, are people who don’t think."
Peter Michaud

Friday, May 6, 2016

Highlighting Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH FLEET Strategic Plan



How are we doing with communication delays, confusion or misdirection.

Are we keeping pace with reality through our candor, openness and respectful honesty?

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Remembering a fine NSGA Yokosuka Shipmate - CTTCS Michael Bousquet


FCC/C10F Strategic Plan has been available since 2015


Command Corner
From the desk of RADM Dave Lewis & Executive Director, Pat Sullivan
------------------------------------------------------

SPAWAR,

The US Fleet Cyber Command / US TENTH Fleet strategic plan for 2015-2020 was recently released and provides tremendous insight into operational environment and priorities of cyber warfighting. The plan's five key goals are:

 - Operate the Network as a Warfighting Platform
 - Conduct Tailored Signals Intelligence
 - Deliver Warfighting Effects Through Cyberspace
 - Create Shared Cyber Situational Awareness
 - Establish and Mature Navy's Cyber Mission Forces

Our vision and the work we do at SPAWAR will be very important to the achievement of these goals...

http://www.navy.mil/strategic/FCC-C10F%20Strategic%20Plan%202015-2020.pdf

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Sponsoring Opportunities to Lead From Captain Sean Heritage

Sponsoring Opportunities to Lead: Leadership is not a position or title, it is action, choice, and example. Our behaviors may in fact result in leadership opportunity down the road, and while we have complete control over our behav…