This legacy of service has matured immeasurably during the last 129 years, however the core expectations of our Mess stay the identical at this time as they did in 1893. This sentiment was finest captured in an essay entitled “A Message to Garcia” by Elbert Hubbard; very similar to 1st LT Rowan, our Chief Petty Officers should not ones to incessantly query or lack conviction, however as a substitute take the commander’s intent and easily get the job accomplished – “to ‘do the factor’ and carry a message to Garcia.” It’s our initiative, our willingness to boldly lead and perpetuate a tradition of excellence targeted on attaining best-ever efficiency – that’s our true legacy. It has stood the check of time, and lies on the coronary heart of what our officers count on from us – and what our Sailors demand of us.
Management shouldn’t be a straightforward endeavor. Amongst different issues, it requires robust selections that not everybody will agree with, regardless that Chiefs specialise in constructing consensus amongst leaders with disparate factors of view. Honor, integrity, obligation and self-discipline infuse our each motion, in such a method that these selections we make and actions we take will survive the scrutiny of hindsight.
In troublesome environments and sometimes dealing with large odds, our Chiefs work collectively to improvise options and win – that is what makes our Mess so robust. We’re far stronger, wiser and extra deadly collectively, and it’s that unity of effort {that a} CO is anticipating us to ship on.
We don’t have a good time ourselves, as we’re professionals who do that troublesome work day-after-day. That mentioned, this specific day gives us the possibility to mirror on how far we’ve come, and to benefit from the fellowship and camaraderie of our herd as we remind one another of our shared historical past – the occasions which have formed our improvement. Extra importantly, it affords us the chance to strengthen our inside ties – so important to leveraging our distinctive group and guaranteeing our Navy prevails in any mission our Nation requires.
Russell L. Smith
Grasp Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
