The naval leader must set the example in all things. Do you want your men to look smart? Then you must be meticulous in your own dress. Throw aside any non-regulation articles of uniform, refrain from wearing soiled or rumpled clothing, keep yourself clean and neat, your face shaved. Do you want them to be courteous? Then you must be courteous, to your juniors as well as to your seniors. It is a rule that works both ways. When your seniors are present with you before your men, you must be careful to do exactly the things that are expected of you. Do you expect your men to be loyal? Then you must be loyal, to those junior to you as well as to those who are senior. Loyalty can never be over-emphasized.
And remember, it works both ways.
From: The Naval Officer's Manual
Rear Admiral Harley Cope, USN-retired
Quotes from Rear Admiral Harley Cope are a little out dated...Today's officers are all about hitting that next wicket and check the next box...once the dust settles from all the CO firings who is left holding the bag...CPOs!
ReplyDeleteI think his quote is timeless. As appropriate today as when he originally said it.
ReplyDeleteLoyalty can never be over-emphasized.
ReplyDelete"...once the dust settles from all the CO firings who is left holding the bag...CPOs!"
ReplyDeleteRight. There's no one else between the CO and the Chiefs.
BTW, I see as much concern in today's CPO community about hitting the next wicket and checking the next box.
"...BTW, I see as much concern in today's CPO community about hitting the next wicket and checking the next box..."
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more and this will be the downfall of the wardroom and CPO mess.
Who is to blame? If officers are the leaders who "set the example," as the Naval Officer's Manual
states, I put the blame on officers.
A lot whining and finger pointing. How square away your own piece of the world and quit looking for somebody to blame. We have all worked for good bosses and some bad bosses. You can't control that. All you can control is your own work center, division, department etc. Spend your time taking care of those below you in the chain of command rather than complaining about those above you. You will be happier and your command will be better.
ReplyDeleteCaptain Lambert,
ReplyDeleteHardly any of the remarks to the blog subject addressed the post. I felt it was quite clear that officers must set the example in dress and demeanor. This is just good leadership and it does not matter how long ago this was written, this kind of leadership can never go out of style. It matters not if you are the CO, the XO or the CMC you should set the example.
Very Respectfully,
Navyman834
I'm BTW Anonymous @ 7:55 AM and I have to put this out for my own benefit and possibly the benefit of others.
ReplyDeleteMy comment about CPOs' concern for hitting the next wicket and checking the next box was not meant to be a fingerpoint. Instead, it was meant as Anonymous @ 2:18 wrote. We're all in this together and we should first be looking in the mirror to ensure the person looking back is doing the right thing.
oh, i had thought i posted here.
ReplyDelete