Junior Sailor's Life After My Navy

My interest in naval service began in 5th grade with my admittance to the United States Sea Cadet Corps. At first, I believed that I was making the most of my wasted time watching tv. However, after a while in the program, I began to realize that the camaraderie and dedication that this organization had to offer amazed and enticed me. Soon I became the program’s Ship’s Leading Petty Officer, the highest leadership position obtainable in the corps. Being handed that responsibility was a dream come true. That is where I found my passion for leading. Upon entering high school, I enrolled in the ROTC program hoping for more responsibility and a possible future in military service. On this road, I found my passion for the engineering field.

I chose to enroll in the United States Navy Sea Cadet Corps for two main reasons: my interests in military aircrafts and the idea that the U.S. Navy will open the doors to the world for me. I can say now that I have completed four years in this program, those two reasons were not the most important ones when looking back and reflecting on how the program has shaped me. I soon realized that being a cadet was not about doing what I liked at all times, but doing what I disliked as well for a long term benefit. During the program's long hour weekend drills and during my stay in the military base of Everett (Washington), it became clear to me that overcoming great challenges and helping others do the same, was a great reward. I was taught leadership

At the time that I saw chief as only a rank, I only wanted to achieve said rank to further my own personal status within NJROTC. Once I realized all the responsibility that comes with being a chief, I faltered. I questioned whether or not I

This concise paper addresses a lifetime of learning on part of the author and the gracious graduated squadron commander interviewee who leant his time and wisdom. In the next few paragraphs the three key elements that will be addressed include: the author’s leadership philosophy, elicited in the hot seat from the Group Commander, a summary of the author’s commander interview, and an analysis of the interview through the lens of the author’s own philosophy.

It is widely known that in the military you are assigned a great amount of responsibility at a young age and early point in your career. This amount of responsibility is far greater than a civilian would be assigned at the same age. When put in these leadership positions you rapidly acquire skills to care for, make decisions, and earn trust. On my first deployment, our Helicopter Assault Force consisted of two 47 crews decentralized from our higher command. Our senior ranking officer and Air Mission Commander was often just a Captain. Our Flight Lead was typically a W3 or W4 and was the primary decision maker when it came to mission analysis and courses of action development. It was our Captains job to ensure the risk levels were acceptable and sell our mission to higher command. With well-trained commissioned officers and extremely knowledgeable flight leads, we were able to operate with extreme efficiency from a decentralized location from higher command. Additionally the well-defined Commanders Intent and Key Tasks enabled us to meet both the ground force Commander’s goals and our higher command’s

The first day, I was assigned to 3rd watch and I was assigned to P.O. Wasilewski. The first task that was given to us was lower the flags half mass for in memory of the 4 Marines who were killed in Tennessee at the recruiting station. After, we went off to patrol P.O. Wasilewski’s beat. Later in the day, we were called in by the Sergeant for assistance. As P.O. Wasilewski was assisting the Sergeant, Division Chief Bembenek called me over to tell me about a case he was involved in. The case was about a Child abduction where D.C. Bembenek, a P.O. at the time, almost lost because he wasn’t specific on what type of confirmation was given when identifying

One day he was summoned to the Squadron Office and told to report to Technical Sergeant Tullos. Now this is another of those instances where growing up in a small town pays off. The Master Sergeant instructed Private Willis to take a seat. When he had, the Sergeant asked him “are you really from Neshoba County, Mississippi?” Private Willis answered “well I sure am”, to which the Sergeant replied “so am I”. Then the Sergeant asked him if he knew Danny Tullos. Private Willis replied “Yes I do. I played basketball against him in school. He went to Forestdale High School”. The Sergeant replied “That’s right, he’s my brother. Next time you see him, tell him I said hello”, and with that Private Willis was dismissed. Two days later when the daily listing of permanent duty station orders were posted, a listing which was always in alphabetical order, Private Willis found his name at the top of the list. He had been assigned to Headquarters Second Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base. Now Private Willis had never heard of Barksdale but was pleased to learn it was located in Bossier City, Louisiana and later learned that it was the closest Air Force facility to where he had grown up. Serving in the military, you met, eat, sleep and perform daily functions with people from all across this

Life would have been different if Capt. C had been my CO the last couple of years. Going over to the barracks, I covered myself with the salve and lay on an open bunk for the rest of the day. After a few days, I began to feel better and started shedding like a snake, and learned my lesson well. Going out to see the gang, Bob, Willie, CA one last time, I told them of my plans and found out what they intended. They had not seen Barb or Bonnie they were nowhere to be found and had not been to the house for weeks. That was not surprising; they were free spirits and always traveling on the USO tour circuit so there was a chance that we might never see them again. I will always be grateful to how they came up trumps for me in my hour of need, though. We fired up some hash, snorted some coke and reminisced about our adventures and wondered where Scott had ended up in Florida. We said our goodbyes and exchanged phone numbers; I asked for their parent’s addresses figuring they would be a more stable location and that they were always likely to know where their kids

One thing I did not expect as a young man is that during my journey in the Coast Guard, whether 4 years or 30, that I would have the privilege to meet some great leaders. As though a higher power was at work, I usually had the proper leadership for the stage I was at in my career. BM2 Welch was rough around the edges and a stickler for detail. I was still new to the Coast Guard and needed a firm hand BM2 provided. He gave me direction. I learned from BM2 that working hard at every task thrown at someone is essential to be a good shipmate. As a brand new petty officer, BMC Jeff Reed showed me how to hold other people accountable. He never reprimanded me in public, and after every strict talking, he gave me a pathway to resolve the situation

You might assume he was some high ranking officer who came in and promised sweeping changes or even a senior enlisted who promised to have our backs and make the day to day work more efficient to get us to go home earlier. But you would be wrong, have you ever had a boss that you actually looked up too? I mean one that you would be happy that when your time came to be at the helm and you looked in the mirror, you would ask yourself if they would approve? For me this man was Ronnie B., now his full name was Ronald Bryan, but we always went by affectionate nicknames in the junior enlisted community and he was my Leading Petty Officer for the medical department on-board. He took a ship and a crew that was just floating along and actually inspired us to do more and have a better outlook on our careers and our importance. He wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and work alongside us or sit down at all hours of the night and get to know us on a personal level. He wasn’t just our boss, he was our leader. Ronnie B. had a storied career with a checkered past as

As the recruiting goals in the Navy continue to increase it would seem as if the Navy’s numbers for First Term Sailor retention (Zone A up to six years) would increase also, this is not the case though. Senior Leaders need to be aware of the amount of Sailors that are discharging prior to or at their first term because it is causing the Navy to have a high turnover rate and not allowing for a strong fleet with continuity. This paper will discuss the attrition of first term Sailors, what is causing these Sailors to discharge early, and how the Navy can take a proactive approach to retain the best Sailors for the future of the Navy.

As Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert once stated, one of the U. S. Navy’s guiding principles is “People are the Navy’s foundation”. The United States Navy has long since recognized that command at sea is an honor and a unique privilege, one that demands confidence, self-reliance, sound judgment, and complete dedication to the wellbeing of shipmates. At every level of Naval operations, leadership, integrity and character have always been vitally important dimensions of who we are and what we do.

In my time as a junior Marine I learned many things from my NCO’s, but one of the things that made the most impression on me was when I was venting to an NCO about a Staff NCO that was strict with us but was a messed up Marine

Thank you for your kind words. I am glad that I have served you well and that you have taken a few valuable lessons from me. Chief, I am only doing with you what I have done all my career and the things no one has done for me. Normally, must people in general (Navy/Civilian) start helping you with a task but yet I found anyone that will help finish the task until the end. On the other hand, I chose to be the opposite and I always finish what I start or when I help someone I will make sure that we (both) finish the task until the end. Therefore, never pick me to start a project because I will make you finish the project with me. :-)!

A Chie's wears an Anchor as the symbol of his or her rank. That same anchor is the symbol of the Navy. It is fair to say that the spirit of the Navy, it's tradition, ceremony and its very honor are alive because it's Chiefs keep it that way. The Chief is the anchor of the Navy. Without the Chief a ship would be just a ship with no soul. Its crew would just be doing a job with no life. Words like shipmate would be have no