The topic of this paper was brought up during a brief, the cause of which was due to improper explanations for unavailability for the month of February. The reason this essay is being written is to rectify the problem as well as keep all Marines informed as to what exactly constitutes Leave, Liberty, and Administrative Absence. As well, it will be explained what situations fall under non-availability (In the case that an individual is exempt from having to stand duty).…
From June 2005 to September 2009, I served on the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) 64, USS Carney. The USS Carney has approximately 300 sailors and officers. Out of the 300 about twenty-five are officers and another thirty or so are senior enlisted. Officer’s tours are eighteen to twenty-four months long and the enlisted sailors can remain on board for up to five years. While serving aboard the Carney, I witnessed the key crewmembers turnover at least three times. After each key crewmember, enlisted sailor or officer, transferred someone needed to rise to step into a new role and a new team needed to be formed. While I did not realize it at the time, we constantly performed Human Process Interventions to ensure we were ready to answer our nations call at a moments notice. The upper echelons of the U.S. Navy go to great lengths to ensure that teams are created through a structured multi-level training process, surveys, and other Organization Development techniques.…
The transformation into a United States Marine, and the tribulations the father and son encountered along the way, is documented brilliantly by one another, John and Frank Schaeffer, in Keeping Faith. This remarkable, award winning novel depicts the experiences of a Marine, the growth of both father and son, and their individual assessments of what it means to serve. Many families have read Keeping Faith, as a source of strength and guidance when entangled in a similar situation. While others like myself, have read the novel to gain insight and a better notion of what it may be like to join the military, and the effects it could have on both my family and I. Merely are compositions similar to, Keeping Faith and The Case for Christ read…
How would a leader feel if they lost all their years of decorated service in a matter of minutes? Senior Enlisted Leaders must understand the tragic event behind the USS Indianapolis (CA 35) to increase their sense of appreciation of great authority comes greater responsibility. This paper will cover USS Indianapolis (CA 35) background information, sacrifice and service of the crew, command responsibility, and the impact on current surface warfare policies.…
MANY TIMES IN OUR MARINE CORPS CAREER WE WILL BE ENTRUSTED TO COMPLETE A MISSION OR ASSIGNMENT WITHOUT THE HELP OR SUPERVISION OF OTHER MARINES. IT IS TIMES LIKE THIS WHERE WE MUST STAND UP AND BECOME THE MARINE WHO HAS THESE QUALITIES, AND POSSESS THE ABILITY TO USE THEM TO EXECUTE THE MISSION SUCCESSFULLY.…
After serious hesitation this past spring, Giddings decided that he was truly meant for a life in the Navy. He signed the “2 for 7” contract this past august, that mandates graduation from the Academy and five subsequent years of service. “I realized I wanted to lead people”, he said, “It made me happy”. Giddings’ sister agreed and stated that “Sam was already a leader, but really began to take on that role at the Academy”.…
"To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government." The mission statement of this institution will not only prepare me to lead Marines and Sailors but allow me to contribute better to society. I will be a part of something bigger than myself as a member of the greatest naval service in the world.…
Despite non-selection, my pursuit of this prestigious and challenging position will not be deterred. My naval career, I have continually sought positions of greater responsibility and produced exceptional results in each of those positions. While I take great pride in being a Chief Petty Officer, I feel the experience I have acquired as a Chief will benefit any wardroom I am a member of. It is important to note that I did not submit an LDO-CWO package for FY-14 due to the time constraints I experienced while standing up Naval Beach Unit SEVEN with an under staffed office and operational commitment.…
In closing there are a lot of Navy traditions that should be learned and upheld by the sailor of today and the sailor of tomorrow, but it is our job to continue the trend of the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service which is Honor,Courage,and…
But our naval might is about much more than cutting-edge technology. It’s about the Sailors who make up our force. It is about their ingenuity, their can-do attitude and fortitude in the face of hardship.…
The atmosphere in a Trident nuclear submarine is generally calm and quiet. Even pipe joints are cushioned to prevent noise that might tip off a pursuer. The Trident ranks among the world’s most dangerous weapons—swift, silent, armed with 24 long-range missiles carrying 192 nuclear warheads. Trident crews are the cream of the Navy crop, and even the sailors who fix the plumbing exhibit a white-collar decorum. The culture aboard ship is a low-key, collegial one in which sailors learn to speak softly and share close quarters with an ever-changing roster of shipmates. Being subject to strict security restrictions enhances a sense of elitism and pride. To move up and take charge of a Trident submarine is an extraordinary feat in the Navy—fewer than half the officers qualified for such commands ever get them. When Michael Alfonso took charge of the USS Florida, the crew welcomed his arrival. They knew he was one of them—a career Navy man who joined up as a teenager and moved up through the ranks. Past shipmates remembered him as basically a loner, who could be brusque but generally pleasant enough. Neighbors on shore found Alfonso to be an unfailingly polite man who kept mostly to himself.…
I tend to take my commands and duties to heart. That’s where the dedication comes in with me. I don’t like to come in empty handed. Responsibility is big with everything in life. When you accept the honor and privilege of being a officer it’s a huge responsibility. I am a reliable person, I try to complete every giving task and job. I do go out of my way to help people do their own jobs, even if it doesn’t benefit me.…
From the very beginning of naval service, certain key principles or core values have carried on to today. They consist of three basic principles, HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT. Those three words are the backbone of every man and woman, officer or enlisted who has served or is serving in the United States Navy. Values are defined as ideals, beliefs, customs, or principles that a person holds dear. Values are learned and picked up throughout our lives. Here’s what I, a US Navy sailor, think of these values.…
My initial interest in the naval service was inspired by the sacrifices of the men and women serving our country. Serving our country requires well-developed character, integrity, and commitment to service before self. Furthermore, in order for our freedoms to remain intact, I think it is important for young graduates to continue the tradition of serving the United States of America; however, it is equally important to receive an esteemed education.…
I have to place extreme trust into any person who my son receives care by, with hopes that my son will be returned to me unscathed and unharmed. I struggle ever day with not being there for my son because of the sacrifices that I continue to make. I love every aspect of what my job entails and I love being a mother. My chain of command is aware of my family care plan issue, and has always been there for me to support and assist me in any way that I have needed. Since I do not have a solid support system in place, it is now impossible for me to maintain both responsibilities. It is my responsibility to make sure that my son is taken care of by any means available. I do not believe that being stationed at this command is the reason I cannot comply with my Family Care Plan, however, I do believe that it is the pre-ordained military schedule that has continuously made my Navy life and motherhood so hard to balance. Being involuntarily separated from the Navy has never been a warranted option for me. I have done everything within my means to be able to successfully complete my job as a single parent. I’ve explored other options such as the Navy Reserves, Full Time Support, and Early Release for Education, as well as the Career Intermission Program. I have also spoken with my chain of command, my mentor, and my parents about my struggle to find stable care for my son. I have wanted to be in the Navy since I was six years old. I understand that I have a duty to fulfill my contract, but I will always have an obligation and responsibility to ensure that my son is provided with applicable care, love, and…