The 1990s have been characterized as a transition period from the Cold War garrison era to a new era generally described as one of engagement. As with all shifts from one era to another, adjustments must be made to accommodate the driving force behind the transition. Over the past four years, the Navy has made significant changes in terms of strategy, force structure, and operations in response to the new era. The performance of our Sailors ashore requires similar change.
In the past, performance ashore was concerned mostly with personal conduct and typically limited to liberty in a foreign port of call. Sailors needed to conduct themselves within acceptable social boundaries. A commander sought to provide well-earned rest and relaxation for his crew, balancing the need to blow off steam with minimizing the risk of incurring a liberty incident. This approach does not recognize the new era.
During the garrison era, the Navy focused almost completely on blue-water operations. Operations within the littoral or ashore were considered support functions, resulting in a distinction between operations and performance ashore. The new era extends Navy operations inland and has on occasion transformed blue-water operations into a support function, i.e. the tsunami relief mission of 2005. This shift requires us to consider performance ashore a primary component of Navy operations and reset our expectations accordingly. Rather than equating performance ashore with liberty, it should be an integration of three functions; engagement, education, and liberty.
Performance ashore provides a unique opportunity to promote the American values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity. Engaging the host community's local population must be a primary focus. Commands should develop an engagement plan to maximize the resources of its crew and impact ashore. Emphasis must be placed on interacting with the population. Participation in community improvement projects should be conducted side-by-side with the local population rather than in isolation. Additionally, outreach programs should be actively sought and capitalized on. Typical examples are sporting events between a ship's crew and a local team or participation in an evening social event. These events should not only target the community leadership, but the general population as well.
Expanding engagement ashore will not be cheap, both in terms of human or capital resources. Funding needs to go far beyond the typical allocations provided for wine and cheese receptions. Coordinated logistic support to provide materials will require approval from higher command authority. Commands must make community relations participation an obligatory part of all port visits, along with duty and providing liberty.
Commands will undoubtedly create unique approaches to achieving balance, such as rewarding exceptional performance ashore with increased privileges. Key to making it work will be communicating to our Sailors the requirements of the new era and demonstrating how performance ashore contributes to national security.
The Navy places great emphasis on preparing its Sailors for a wide array of assigned tasks. Performance ashore requires the same level of effort. Providing cultural awareness and expected standards will lead to a fundamental understanding of the importance of performance ashore. Training tailored to the specific region being visited must also be included. The Naval Postgraduate School's Regional Security Education Program is a great start to preparing our crews to walk off the brow of "little America" and engage a local population safely and effectively.
The opportunity to have liberty in foreign ports should always remain one of the most attractive benefits of naval service and central to our culture. Proper planning and controls will enhance liberty. The best port visits are those where advance work provides Sailors with a wide range of leisure activities.
Measures can also be taken to improve liberty, which isn't part of an organized event. The buddy program is now a standard throughout the Fleet. Recognizing that simply stating "buddy rules are in effect" is not enough, commands now enhance their programs with rules designed to ensure the quality of a liberty party. Examples are having a minimum pay-grade or recognized leader associated with each group and/ or requiring a designated non-alcohol drinker. Aside from the obvious effects intended by such controls, they force the crew to consider in advance what they want to do on liberty.
The time is right to reset our expectations of performance ashore and provide even greater contributions to our nation's defense while also providing our Sailors with rewarding, enjoyable, and safe experiences.
Commander Disy is a surface warfare officer eagerly awaiting his return to sea. He is currently assigned to the Surface Warfare Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.