What 29+ Years in the Navy Taught Me about Leadership

Friday, November 20, is the last day I wore my uniform after 29 and a half years of service.  I was commissioned out of the University of Texas Naval ROTC on May 21, 1986, and served continuously both active and reserve since.  If I were to write a letter to my 21-year old self or any newly commissioned officer, it would be to pass on what I have learned about leadership.  Through trial and error I have arrived at 10 principles of leadership.

3. You don’t matter.  Your troops matter.  Leadership isn’t about you, it’s about those you are privileged to lead.  It’s an old saw, but a true one, you shouldn’t eat, rest or wash until your guys and gals have.  If you take care of your troops, they will take care of getting the mission done.  They must come first (see Rule #1).

4. You matter.  Take the time to find a mentor, and to make friends among your peers.  Everyone needs someone to talk to.  You cannot be friends with your troops even though you will share a powerful comradery.  You are their leader and at times you will have to ask them to do things that are dangerous and difficult.  These decisions must be based on what is best for the mission and cannot be clouded by friendship.  Later, though, many will become your friends. See Rules #1 and #10.

5. Minimums are for wimps.  Never, ever ask what the minimum to achieve a passing score is.  Leaders lead from the front.  They push to do the best in everything they do.  As a leader you must work and train the hardest you can.  You are an example.  If you are happy with just skating by, you will ultimately lose the trust and faith of the men and women you are privileged to lead.  You can never ask your team to do something you are not willing to do. 

6. Don’t take yourself too seriously.  You are going to make mistakes.  You are going to look like a goofball at some point.  Be able to laugh about it.  Be able to learn from your mistakes.  Be humble.  Embarrassment is transitory, learning is forever.      

7. Be understanding.  Your troops are going to make mistakes.  They are going to do things that will make you scratch your head and mutter strings of obscenities under your breath.  Before you flip out, work to understand what happened and why it happened.  Was it a training issue?  Were there problems at home?  Not everything requires a hammer.  In fact, if you only have a hammer in your toolbox everything looks like a nail.  Expand your tool box.  Be fair.  By doing this you will actually be better prepared and able to truly enforce standards and discipline because your sailors will not be afraid of you.  See Rule #1, leading from a place of fear may get you short-term gain, but in the end it destroys.

8. Trust your senior enlisted.  The United States Military has the best senior enlisted cadre in the world.  Their job is to teach you to be a better officer.  This pattern will continue throughout your career.  They are plugged into what your troops are thinking and feeling.  They have experience you don’t have.  So even when you are a crusty Navy Captain, you will still need the advice and guidance of the Master Chief.  Take it.  If in doubt, see Rule #2.

9. Uphold tradition.  You are the public face of your service every time you go out in uniform.  Be polite, be humble and earn the respect of our citizenry. They deserve your best every day all day.  Don’t be stupid in uniform, unless of course it’s the Marine Corps Ball and then it’s allowed.  Ask the Marines.

10. You are the 1% and are lucky to serve this nation.  You are doing something 99% of the population will not do.  You are putting it on the line for this country.  It’s an honor and a privilege.  You swear allegiance to a set of principles not any specific man or woman.  You will develop lifelong ties with the ones you serve with.  You will become a member of the family of veterans – a family you earn your way into to by sacrifice.  Whether you serve for four years or thirty, you will be defined by your service and commitment.  We are lucky that this great nation is worthy of our sacrifice.  You are lucky to serve her.

I have been molded and defined by my service.  It all started in August of 1983 when I walked into the Navy ROTC building and asked how I could join the unit.  Never did I imagine that 32 years later, the decision I made as an 18 year old would have had such a significant impact on my life.  I owe everything to the Navy.  I owe everything to this nation.  I cannot hear the oath of enlistment or commissioning without getting a little choked up.  Heroes swearing to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, defending a way of life that grants freedom to even the least amongst us.  Values worth fighting for.  Values worth defending.  Thank you for the privilege of 29 years of service.

The opinions expressed above are solely those of the author and do not represent any official position of the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Department of Defense.