A Call to Action
At the Naval Institute's 129th Annual Meeting, Foundation Vice Chairman Steve Cohen spoke about the organization's key values. This is an edited excerpt:
I was invited to an executive education luncheon at the police academy in New York City last fall. There were 35-40 very senior police officers, down to the precinct captain level. The speaker was a friend of mine, a West Point grad who has written a terrific book about his alma mater. He talked about the leadership lessons of West Point. At the end, he said, "Are there any questions?" Complete silence.
I felt guilty-this was my friend. So I raised my hand and I asked a question. He answered and said, "Anyone else?" Again, complete silence.
Afterward, we asked the person who had organized the luncheon, "Was this an unsuccessful event?" He said, "No, this was the best we've ever had. But nobody asks questions in the New York City Police Department because they're afraid of what senior officials-what senior officers-might think."
Three days later I attended the Naval Institute's Virginia Beach symposium. Flag officers on the dais. Questions from every rank, every level of experience-enlisted personnel, junior officers, senior officers-challenging what the people on the panel said. That open debate, that willingness and ability to question, does not just happen; it has to be encouraged, it has to be nurtured, and it has to be empowered. That's the role of the Naval Institute.
I leave you with a request to do three things. First, make a donation. Better yet, adopt a school. Get Proceedings, Naval History, and some of the Institute's books in front of the next generation who will serve in uniform. It's not costly, but it must be done. Preferably, adopt a school outside the Maryland-Washington Beltway corridor, where students are not typically exposed to people in uniform or the history and tradition of the naval services.
Number two, introduce someone to membership in the Naval Institute. Too few serving enlisted and officers are members. We've got to bring that up, and the very best way is personal introduction. Each of you making that one-person connection can make a big difference to the Naval Institute.
Third, identify for us someone who has the resources to support the Institute and its terrific work. You make the introduction; we'll do the asking.
I leave you with that call to action and my tremendous pride in being here and sharing with this terrific organization.