In another of the strange and sometimes cruel ironies that mark the course of history, the tragedy of Admiral Mike Boorda’s death very likely will be remembered as the turning point for the U.S. Navy in its course toward a much improved public and self-image. All of us in uniform have a stake in this new beginning, so I hope my encouragement won't be seen as seeking to become involved in other people’s business.
With the litany of embarrassing events only a keystroke away in this era of easy data retrieval, the Navy has lived under the shadow of criticism for too long. Sincere attempts to clarify or address these issues often have taken the form of a “stand down." during which the Navy would take stock of its most recent plight, I hope we are done with stand downs. The Navy is a value-based institution, and it is of little worth to define those values by negation. The fact that the U.S. Navy is not in favor of sexual harassment is of less value in the long term than the undeniable history, the shared values that demonstrate the institution’s unwavering support of human dignity and worth.
I would recommend a stand up. Let’s look hard at the values that have created the worth and the dignity of the Navy and stand up to those values. Let’s have a stand fast. Let’s have a stand for.
In the promotion orders read at every ceremony, it says in part, “The President of the United States, having reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and ability of [this service member], . . .” Look carefully at those words. Patriotism. Valor. Fidelity. Ability. It is worth noting that we count just once on what you do—your ability—and three times on why you do it. We count on values. We remind ourselves at every promotion what we stand for.
While the shock of the CNO’s death still lingered, I read an article that expressed the desperate need of the Navy to pick exactly the right man to lead the Navy out of this period of gloom. By the time this commentary is published, that man will have been chosen. I hope I do him no disservice to say that the choice doesn’t matter much. The Navy doesn’t need Moses to lead it out of the wilderness. There are 400,000 sailors out there who don’t even think they are lost. They are correct. The Navy is not defined by the momentary excellence of a few or by the momentary failings of a few; it is defined by the millions who have served in its history and the hundreds of thousands who serve every day. Theirs is a Navy of teamwork and sacrifice, of readiness and of battle drills. They have been, they are, and they will continue to be the nation’s guardians. They will follow their skippers and believe in their mission.
My Army was down, early in my service. Our shortfalls were not so public, but they were profound. In some sense they were worse, because we were not the ready force our nation demands. During that time, an event took place that few have appreciated fully. With the Cold War in full bloom, with no hint of Soviet collapse, our nation decided that the armed forces no longer could draft this nation’s citizens for service. This blow fell most heavily on the Army. We were told, in essence, “Go find your own recruits.”
Those were bad times: times when men and women in uniform were not respected, when the glut of the Vietnam era stalled promotions for a decade, when there was little money to train and quality of life was not on the agenda. Some of us stayed. Those who did are today what you would call plank owners in a new force, a new Army, trained and ready, a value-based institution with soldiers as its proudest credential. All who were there and stayed and believed look back on that service as far more important to our nation than any tour in Vietnam.
Some of you will be the plank holders of the new Navy—or better said, the new attitude and pride of an already great Navy. We are building even now the force of the 21st century. There is much speculation about that force and much we have yet to learn, but there is much we already know. It will be a volunteer force of our nation’s finest men and women. It will be a value-based institution, demonstrating what is best about the nation it both defends and represents. The Navy’s share of that force is certain. We don’t have to know much about the world of the 21st century to be certain that 70% of it will be covered by water. We don’t have to know much about history to know that the 70% will be covered by the U.S. Navy.
There isn’t time for a stand down. Anchors aweigh, my friends. Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home.
Army Brigadier General Hamilton is Vice Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessments, on the Joint Staff.