Essential Qualities of Leadership - Choose the 'hard right' versus the 'easy wrong'

 “Another essential quality of leadership is integrity. Without this, real leadership is not possible. Nowadays, it seems like integrity – or honor or character – is kind of quaint, a curious, old-fashioned notion.  We read of too many successful and intelligent people in and out of government who succumb to the easy wrong rather than the hard right – whether from inattention or a sense of entitlement, the notion that rules are not for them. But for a real leader, personal virtues – self-reliance, self control, honor, truthfulness, morality – are absolute. These are the building blocks of character, of integrity – and only on that foundation can real leadership be built."

United States Naval Academy Commencement Address

As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Annapolis, Maryland, Friday, May 27, 2011

Great News For Officers Who Conserve Energy

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said promotion boards will consider an officer’s energy management when deciding whether to move him up.

This is exceptional news for some officers.  I've heard there are some in the Navy who are not expending any energy at all.

And Nosse makes twenty

Commander Joe Nosse, CO of USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737 GOLD) was relieved for cause on 17 October 2011 by Captain Paul Skarpness, Commander Submarine Squadron SEVENTEEN.  Captain Skarpness lost confidence in Commander Nosse's ability to command. Nosse is the 20th Commanding Officer fired in 2011.

An official Navy spokesman said, "Commander Nosse exhibited inadequate leadership and oversight of the crew in the areas of operations and administration."

A thought

"One should...be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise."

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hope springs eternal.

Where is she now? Captain Sara Joyner - Deputy Commander Air Wing THREE

Captain Sara “Clutch” Joyner, a native of Maryland, received her commission in 1989 graduating with merit from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography.  After graduation, she attended flight school and earned her Naval Aviator wings in July 1991 from VT-24 in Beeville, Texas. After completing flight training, Captain Joyner reported to VC-5, the “Checkertails,” in Cubi Point, Philippines to fly the A-4E Skyhawk. In May of 1992, due to the imminent closure of Cubi Point, she was assigned to VC-8, the “Redtails,” in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

Captain Joyner reported to COMSTRKFIGHTWINGPAC in Lemoore, California in November of 1994 as Assistant Operations Officer. She subsequently received a transition to the F/A-18 Hornet and reported to VFA-125, the “Rough Raiders,” for training in October of 1996.

Upon completion of her training as a Hornet Pilot, she reported to VFA-147, the “Argonauts,” in May of 1997. Remaining with VFA-147 for both her Junior Officer and Department Head tours, she completed two Western Pacific Cruises to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) in September of 1997 and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in September of 1999 in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. In November of 2001, she again deployed with VFA-147 aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During her tour at VFA-147, she served in many capacities, including the Department Head in Maintenance, Operations, and Safety.  

In January 2002, she reported to United States Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia where she served in the Current Operations Branch as Force Deployment Officer for the NORTHCOM, EUCOM, and CENTCOM Areas of Responsibility in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. She reported to VFA-105 in November of 2006 as Executive Officer.   

In March 2007, Captain Joyner assumed command of VFA-105. On 2 November 2007, she led the Gunslingers on their combat cruise to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Under her leadership the squadron performed nearly 2,000 combat missions totaling over 4,900 flight hours and delivering 35,000 pounds of ordnance in support of coalition ground forces in Iraq.  

Captain Joyner recently completed her tour at OPNAV N88 as the Joint Strike Fighter Requirements officer responsible for bringing the next generation of carrier strike aircraft to the fleet.

She is currently serving as Deputy Commander, Air Wing THREE ("The Battle Axe"), homebased at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

Navy is # 1 Service to work for in Department of Defense

Ranking # 15 (right in the middle of the 31 large government agencies) among the best government agencies to work for, Navy is ranked #1 among the Services by the The Best Places to Work rankings — the most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government — are produced by the Partnership for Public Service.  You can see the list HERE.

A Genuine Officer and A Gentleman

Happy Birthday Rear Admiral Eugene S. Ince Jr!

On this date in 1926, Eugene St. Clair Ince Jr. was born to Eugene and Jay Green Ince. He is an only child. The love of his life, Jean Marion Gregory Ince passed on 12 January 2009. Theirs was a love story that lasted a lifetime. His proposal to Jean is truly legendary and their story has been featured in Gourmet Magazine and many others. They were married on 8 June 1949 in Oak Park, Illinois following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy-Annapolis, Maryland.

Admiral Ince was a Naval Aviator. During the Korean War, he deployed with VA-115 in USS PHILIPPINE SEA and USS KEARSARGE. He had 128 successful carrier 'traps'. Following the Korean War, he was a flight instructor. He attended the Naval Postgraduate School (Naval Intelligence) and the Defense Language Institute (Russian) in Monterey, California. In June 1960 he changed designators from 1310 (Naval Aviator) to 1610 (Special Duty- Cryptology). From 1966-1968, he was the Commanding Officer of NSGA Skaggs Island. He went on to become the Operations Officer (G50) for Naval Security Group Command and the Deputy OP944B at OPNAV.

He served as Commander, Naval Security Group Command from August 1978 to September 1980.

Today, he's living the good life in Madison, Virginia.

19th Navy Commanding Officer FIRED

From the Navy Times

CAPT Geisler, who relieved CAPT Hodge as CTF 53 at a change of command ceremony held at Commander, Sea Logistics Command Central Aviation Unit, Bahrain on January 9, 2011 was fired by VADM Mark Fox, Commander FIFTH Fleet.  Commodore Geisler had been in command for 10 months.  He is the 19th Navy Commanding Officer fired in 2011.

"Loss of confidence in his ability to lead" was cited as the reason for the firing.

CTF 53 is responsible for providing air and sea logistics support to the U.S. Navy in the Middle East. It also has tactical control of all combat logistics force ships, strategic sealift, special mission ships and logistics aircraft operating in theater, as well as the supporting shore-based infrastructure.

Commodore Geisler also served as Commander, Logistics Forces, U.S. Naval Forces Central. In this role, he was responsible for coordinating the air and sea delivery of personnel, mail, cargo, fuel, ammunition and provisions to a fleet of 40-plus U.S. and coalition ships operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.  Captain Jesus Cantu has relieved Captain Geisler on a temporary basis until a permanent replacement is named.  CTF 53's motto is "We're All Over It".

FY12 Commanding Officer selectees and their new commands announced by VADM Rogers

Captain Command

NIOC HAWAII - KERSHAW JUSTIN F
NIOC GEORGIA - BROKAW JAMES E
NIOC NORFOLK - DIETZ ERIC S 

Commander Command

CID MONTEREY - COONEY MICHAEL S 
NIOC PENSACOLA - COUNT PATRICK A 
NIOC MISAWA - KELLEY SEAN P 
NIOC SUGAR GROVE - KRAMER WILLIAM 
NIOC WHIDBEY IS - GIANGRASSO PETER 
NIOC BAHRAIN - SLATTERY JULIA 

I ask that you continue to stress the importance of command to your wardrooms and to each other. Leadership remains one of our fundamental developmental building blocks (the other two being technical expertise and operational proficiency) and command is the ultimate embodiment of that building block.  There is no higher calling for a naval officer than to command others. 

 

Vice Admiral Michael S. Rogers

Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet

Iconic Limited Duty Officer - Captain Eaton (Cryptology/Information Warfare) to retire after 37 years service

Captain Craig Eaton will retire on 28 October 2011 after 37 fun-filled years serving our great Nation and the Navy.  Beginning his service in 1974 as a Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT), he served in a number of ships and submarines around the world.  In 1984, he was selected for commissioning as an LDO Ensign.

He served as the Electronic Warfare Officer and as the OUTBOARD officer in USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9).  Subsequently, he served in USS RANGER (CV-61) as the carrier's Cryptologist and Ships Signals Exploitation Space (SSES) division officer.  He was the assistant cryptologic officer and EWO in USS BELKNAP (CG-26). in 1994, he flew as the Senior EP-3E Special Mission Evaluator with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO while assigned to U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Rota, Spain.  He served as Commanding Officer twice - once as CO of Naval Security Group Activity Groton, Connecticut and as CO of U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Rota, Spain.  Most recently he served on the staff of Naval Network Warfare Command and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/TENTH Fleet.

Fair Winds and Following Seas Captain !!

Sailor - Genius

“ Every Sailor is a genius. But, if you judge a Sailor solely by his ability to sail, he will spend his whole life believing that he is stupid.
 
- Albert Einstein (loosely paraphrased)

Task Force TEN THIRTY !! BZ !

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELECTRONIC ATTACK SQUADRON ONE TWO NINE (VAQ-129), CARRIER STRIKE GROUP ELEVEN, AND TASK FORCE 1030 (NAVY INFORMATION OPERATIONS COMMANDS - NORFOLK, SAN DIEGO, AND WHIDBEY ISLAND), FOR THEIR SELECTION AS THE 2011 ASSOCIATION OF OLD CROWS OUTSTANDING NAVY UNIT AWARD WINNERS (AVIATION, SURFACE, AND SHORE).

Admiral Jonathan Greenert

Chief of Naval Operations 

Navy Command Fitness Leaders call out Chiefs and officers

Navy Times published an article recently which described problems with the PRT measurement and testing program.  Command Fitness Leaders have had enough and are calling out Chiefs and officers who have cheated and bullied their way to passing scores.

Having experienced this cheating and bullying first-hand in Japan, I am surprised to see how long it has taken for this story to surface.  Our CFL  (then CTM1 Holland/now CWO3CWO4) was responsible for CFL certification training for many of the other tenant command CLFs aboard Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan in the 1997-2000 timeframe.  He trained to the Navy standard.  Several CFAY Commanding Officers thought he was too tough in his training and fired their CFLs for being too strict.  Their "Holland" trained CFL had failed too many khaki test takers.  The CO appointed 'untrained' CFL passed them on the retest.  BTW, that CO's failing score was changed to a "PASSED/Within Standards".  Skipper - you know who you are.  Those aren't the only standards you ignored. 

I am anxious to see the 'rest of the story'.

Captain Susan K. Cerovsky to assume Command of Center for Information Dominance - Corry Station

Captain Gary Edwards will be relieved as Commanding Officer of CID Corry Station by Captain Susan K. Cerovsky at a ceremony at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida today, Friday the 14th of October.

2011 Frank B. Rowlett Trophy Winner - Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command

The Frank B. Rowlett Trophy for Organizational Achievement is awarded annually to the U.S. Government organization recognized as making the most significant contribution to the improvement of national information systems security, operational information assurance readiness, or the defensive information operations posture of the United States.

Captain Alan Kukulies is the Commanding Officer of NCDOC.