23th Anniversary of my failure to screen for command - while in command !!

 

As a Lieutenant Commander, I assumed command of Naval Security Group Activity Yokosuka, Japan (a Commander command) in January 1997 from LCDR Eric Newhouse (the interim CO). The CO previous to Eric had been relieved 6 months earlier, after failing two successive Inspector General inspections - leaving behind demoralized Sailors and a fractured command.

The "Failure to Screen for Command" letter arrived after I had been in command for 23 months and a few days before I put on Commander. Twelve years later, it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth - as you can tell.

I was not completely surprised by the letter because a Lieutenant from BUPERS had called two weeks earlier to inform me that I had "FAILED TO SCREEN FOR COMMAND". What did surprise me was the fact that I had failed to screen for command - a job that I had held for two years, already.

Thankfully, I didn't lose my day job. I post this letter for those who have had to deal with the pain of "Failure of Selection" - whether it be for promotion, command or some other program you desperately want. It's a very painful and emotional thing. One which we try very hard to comprehend. No one ever explained how I failed to screen for a job I already had and was ranked #1 at. A year later, I "successfully screened" for the assignment that I had been doing for 35 months.  

Captain Clyde Lopez celebrates his 84th Birthday Today

 

Captain Clyde Lopez

Captain Clyde Lopex, Athens, 1989

Captain Clyde C. Lopez, United States Navy - retired, celebrates his 84th birthday today.  This great American enlisted in the Navy in October 1955 and served for 40 years, retiring in 1995. 

His illustrious Navy career would fill volumes.  It is sufficient to say that he was a Sailor worthy of being called a Shipmate by all who know him.


He was born on this day in 1937 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

Sir, Happy Birthday SHIPMATE !! 

I salute you !!

John S. McCain

 No more exacting method of determining an officer's worth

"The 20-year-old bluejacket is the backbone of the navy." And he advised the 1970 graduating class at the Naval Academy: "When you step aboard ship and stand in front of your first division of bluejackets, they will evaluate you accurately and without delay. In fact, there is no more exacting method of determining an officer's worth."

"Furthermore, you can't fool bluejackets. They are quick to recognize the phony. If you lose the respect of these men, you are finished. You can never make it back."

"Some officers get it backwards. They don't understand that we are responsible for our men, not the other way around. That's what forges trust and loyalty."

Admiral John S. McCain

Writing

Other things being equal, a superior rating will invariably be given to the officer who has persevered in his studies of the art of self-expression, while his colleague, who attaches little importance to what may be achieved through working with the language, will be marked for mediocrity.

A moment's reflection will show why this has to be the case and why mastery of the written and spoken word is indispensable to successful officership.

As the British statesman, Disraeli, put it, "Men govern with words." Within the military establishment, command is exercised through what is said which commands attention and understanding and through what is written which directs, explains, interprets or informs.

Battles are won through the ability of men to express concrete ideas in clear and unmistakable language. All administration is carried forward along the chain of command by the power of men to make their thoughts articulate and available to others.

There is no way under the sun that this basic condition can be altered. Once the point is granted, any officer should be ready to accept its corollary - that superior qualification in the use of the language, both as to the written and the spoken word, is more essential to military leadership than knowledge of the whole technique of weapons handling.

It then becomes strictly a matter of personal decision whether he will seek to advance himself along the line of main chance or will take refuge in the excuse offered by the great majority: "I'm just a simple fighting file with no gift for writing or speaking."

From: The Armed Forces Officer, 1950

Commander Chelsey Zwicker Assumes Command of NIOC Yokosuka

 From the blog www.StationHYPO.com

Today, Commander Brian Schulz was relieved by Commander Chelsey Zwicker as Commanding Officer, Navy Information Operations Command Yokosuka.  Commander Zwicker’s biography follows:

Commander Chelsey L. Zwicker, USN
Commanding Officer, NIOC Yokosuka // Commander, CTG 1070.2

CDR Chelsey Zwicker is a native of Wyoming, Pennsylvania and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 2005 with an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering.  Upon commissioning she was selected for naval aviation.  In October 2006, she transferred to the Cryptologic Warfare Community. 

After completing the Naval Information Operations Basic Course, she reported to Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) Maryland. CDR Zwicker was assigned to the National Threat Operations Center as an exercise and plans officer.  She earned her Information Operations qualification and her Masters in Science in Strategic Intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College.

In September 2010 Commander Zwicker reported to NIOC Bahrain.  She was the N6 and Legal Officer prior to her deployment from November 2010 – July 2011 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, and MARITIME SUPPORT OPERATIONS in the Arabian Gulf.  During her deployment CDR Zwicker, was the Officer in Charge of the detachment.  Returning back to NIOC Bahrain, she served as the N3 Operations Officer and Acting Executive Officer. 

In November 2011, Commander Zwicker transferred to OPNAV N13F, the Navy Foreign Language Office.  During this tour, CDR Zwicker served as the Action Officer liaison to N2N6 and was the plank owner and program manager of the Asia Pacific Hands Program.

In November 2014, she reported to Naval Information Dominance Forces Command as the Flag Aide and deputy Executive Agent to the Commander. 

In June 2016, Commander Zwicker reported to Fleet Cyber Command/Tenth Fleet and served as the STO chief, deputy SAPCO, IO and EW leads, Space Operations Officer and Fleet OPSEC Program Manager. 

In May 2019 she reported to Navy Information Operations Detachment, Kaneohe Bay as the Officer in Charge.  She led space training for NIOC Hawaii and disestablished NIOD Kaneohe Bay in July 2020.

In April 2020, she reported to Carrier Strike Group Eleven as the Deputy Information Warfare Commander for Integrated Fires.  She served during NIMITZ Strike Group’s unprecedented 11 month 2020-2021 deployment.

A Naval officer, above all . . .

recognizes his responsibilities and therefore does not accept them lightly. A Naval officer understands that his word is his bond, exercised by everyday actions and daily decisions. A Naval officer will not waft through life selfish or disconnected, like someone who carries a fickle mind. A Naval officer, the genuine article, will not make promises he cannot keep, and chooses his words as carefully as he does his commitments. And because a Naval officer honors his words, he is in turn honored in his actions.

Sprint, marathon, ultra-marathon, relay - stay at it for the long haul

When I was a young Ensign, I believed my Navy career was a sprint and we could make a difference in the Cryptologic Community in a few years. As I continued to serve, as a Lieutenant Commander, I realized it was a marathon and I had to pace myself to be in it for the long haul  And 30 years later, when I was a Captain approaching early retirement, I learned it was an ultra-marathon.  Now I know it is a relay race and you have to hand off the baton to another group of junior officers to continue the run. Nice to see my former Shipmates carrying the baton so purposefully.  Thank you.

My soapbox - writing in 'longhand'

 

You can read about it HERE.  They were reading my mind.  I am already halfway through 5 boxes (100 each) of Crane stamped envelopes and ready to go with notecards for 2021.  My stock of 100 Admiral Chester Nimitz 50 cent stamps and about John Paul Jones stamps are depleted.  I continue to write.  

Fallen Shipmate - CTM3 Matthew J. O'Bryant - Born on 10 May 1986

Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM) Third Class Petty Officer Matthew J. O'Bryant, 22, of Duluth, Ga., left this earth on September 20 in the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. Matthew was a valued member of the Navy Information Operations Command Maryland, Fort Meade, Md.

Rear Admiral William Leigher (OPNAV N3IO) had the sad but proud responsibility to meet this young man's remains in Dover, Delaware as he returned to American soil.

Our deepest sympathies and debt of unbounded gratitude go out to this patriot's family. This Sailor now 'rests his oars'. He has given this great Navy and our country the gift of his unselfish service. We are forever in your debt Shipmate. Rest easy, your NIOC Maryland Shipmates have the watch. 

From the Alabama Post Register: Tommy O'Bryant said that the officers did not confirm his son's death until nearly noon Monday. "The hardest thing was not knowing what's going on," he said. "But the officers finally came straight to the point and said our son was killed in the war." O'Bryant graduated from Theodore High School in 2004, his father said. "He didn't play any sports, but he was in the ROTC and he graduated from there as full corporal." Before arriving in Pakistan, O'Bryant was assigned to the Navy Information Operations Command Maryland, Fort Meade, Md. He was the only Alabama sailor who was killed in the blast, Lt. Cmdr. Doug Gabos, a spokesman for the Navy Network Warfare Command in Norfolk, Va., said in a Tuesday night phone interview. Today would have marked the 30th day that the young man had served overseas, said his father, Tommy O'Bryant. As a cryptologic technician, O'Bryant would have been "involved in the installation, configuration, diagnosis and repair of state-of-the-art electronic computers and network hardware and software systems," Officials declined Tuesday to say why O'Bryant was at the Marriott Hotel, but Gabos said that he "may have just been staying at that hotel. I can't confirm that but I believe that to be a fact." O'Bryant had attended the Art Institute of Atlanta before joining the Navy in March 2007, his father said. He was married to his wife, Bridgett, nearly two years ago. "He called his wife Saturday morning, an hour before the bomb would have gone off," Tommy O'Bryant said. "She was the last one to speak to him." Bridgett O'Bryant had been living in Buckatana, Miss., with her parents since her husband's deployment, Tommy O'Bryant said. Naval officers "came to her house Saturday night, and she called us about midnight," he said. "They told her he was missing." 

From MSNBC Wire Services Navy 3rd Class Petty Officer Matthew J. O'Bryant Matthew J. O'Bryant was known for his ability to make people smile. "He was the nicest person you'd ever know. He got along with everybody. He was friendly, he was a real good person," said Roger O'Bryant, Matthew's uncle. O'Bryant, 22, of Duluth, Ga., died Sept. 20 in a bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan. He was a 2004 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Meade. O'Bryant's commanding officer, Capt. Richard Bodziak said, "He was exactly the kind of sailor we want in the Navy." O'Bryant, who was a cryptologic technician, was "first in his class," Bodziak said. He said the sailor exhibited "honor, courage and commitment." Just prior to a funeral service, Lawrence O'Bryant told everyone who came up to him how proud he was of his brother. He noted that four members of the family — the two brothers and two of their cousins — were all serving in the Navy at the same time. "There were four of us in the Navy," he said. "Well, there's three now." He paused, then added, "I guess there will always be four of us because he will always be in the Navy." He is survived by his wife, Bridgette. Alabama sailor killed in Pakistan laid to rest Sep 30, 2008.

AP MOBILE, Ala. (Map, News) - Some 700 mourners attended a funeral in Mobile for an Alabama sailor killed Sept. 20 in a terrorist bomb blast outside a hotel in Pakistan. At Monday's service, Calvary Assembly of God pastor Dave Edwards said Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew O'Bryant, 22, a Theodore High School graduate, was "a brave young man who made the ultimate sacrifice." The bomb blast at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad took at least 60 lives. A cryptologic technician, O'Bryant was based at Fort Meade, Md. His commanding officer, Capt. Richard Bodziak, said O'Bryant "was exactly the kind of sailor we want in the Navy." Bodziak told the Press-Register that O'Bryant, who was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, had been nominated to receive the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Action Ribbon, posthumously. A large image of O'Bryant was projected onto a screen on a wall of the sanctuary as his brother, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Lawrence O'Bryant, called his brother "a hero" and "a patriot" in his emotional address. The two brothers and two of their cousins were all serving in the Navy at the same time. "There were four of us in the Navy," he said. "Well, there's three now." He paused, then added, "I guess there will always be four of us because he will always be in the Navy." During the funeral, representatives of various veterans organizations presented plaques, certificates and other honors to O'Bryant's family. State Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, brought a certificate of commendation from Gov. Bob Riley. The flag-draped coffin was flanked by large stands of flowers, including one in the shape of an anchor. Besides his brother, O'Bryant is survived by his parents, Tommy and Barbara O'Bryant of Theodore; his wife, Bridgette O'Bryant of Buckatunna, Miss.; and two sisters, Janet O'Bryant and Nancy O'Bryant, both of Theodore.

We are days into National Card and Letter Writing Month

 

For many years the U.S. Postal Service has highlighted the art of card and letter writing with a weeklong celebration. This year we are quadrupling our opportunities to promote this important tradition by designating April as National Card and Letter Writing Month.

This is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of the importance and historical significance of card and letter writing.

Writing, sending and receiving letters, postcards, and greeting cards is a tradition that has preserved our nation's history and has changed lives-particularly in times of war and times of personal triumph and tragedy. Unlike other communications, card and letter writing is timeless, personal, and immediately tangible.

Card and letter writing also helps improve literacy and promotes creativity among our youth.

A worthy lesson learned

 

What can be more important?

"Mike,

Thanks for your continuing engagement on the vital issue of leadership -- at the end of the day, what can be more important to our Navy and our nation?"

Admiral James Stavridis

You are a Navy man. Unless, of course, you are a Navy woman

 

You are a Navy man, part of the largest and strongest seagoing force in the world. When you were sworn in and put on your uniform for the first time, you became part of a great tradition. All the brave men who have gone before you, and those who will follow you, make up an unbroken chain of courage and devotion to duty that should make you proud to wear your uniform. 

As a Navy man you are, in a special sense, a good citizen of these United States. Your uniform alone does not entitle you to special privileges, rather it obligates you to set high standards of conduct and performance of duty. At home, and on duty abroad in foreign countries, you will be under constant observation as a representative of the United States government. Be sure that no careless act of yours brings discredit to your uniform or to your country's flag. 

Service in the Navy can be whatever you make it. It takes some time to understand and become adapted to the ways of the Navy, for going to sea in ships and aircraft is a tough, serious business, particularly in these troubled times. If you must work hard and at times miss a leave period or a few liberties in your home port, remember that you chose a man's job when you joined the Navy. 

From THE BLUEJACKET'S MANUAL 

You are reminded -

 

The United States Navy

“There is no black Navy, no white Navy—just one Navy—the United States Navy.”

Admiral Elmo R.Zumwalt Jr. USNA ’43,
“Equal Opportunity in the Navy”(1970)

Legendary Cryptologic Technician Technical Master Chief Larry Veray Retires from the National Reconnaissance Office

 

After a long career of Navy service as a CTT and nearly 3 decades at the NRO as a government contractor, legendary ELINT and SPACE expert, Larry Veray has retired.  He continues his public service in Hawaii as Chair of the Pearl City Neighborhood Board.  Mahalo for your service Larry.  We salute you and know the people of Hawaii will benefit from your leadership and service.