Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional Historian
    • CNO Naval History - Rising Historian
    • Coast Guard
    • Enlisted Prize
    • NPS Foundation/U.S. Naval Institute
    • Naval Mine Warfare
  • Current Issue
  • Our Apps
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
U.S. Navy (Jason J. Mosher)
Well-intentioned attempts to instill a stronger institutional sense of culture and identity in Navy personnel—among them the creation of the Sailor's Creed and later, the Navy Ethos—by and large have failed to achieve the desired effect, the author notes. Here, students attending Quartermaster A School at Great Lakes, Illinois, in March 2005 start their day with the Sailor's Creed. Daily recitation of the creed at all Navy training schools was mandated in December 2004.
U.S. Navy (Jason J. Mosher)

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional Historian
    • CNO Naval History - Rising Historian
    • Coast Guard
    • Enlisted Prize
    • NPS Foundation/U.S. Naval Institute
    • Naval Mine Warfare
  • Current Issue
  • Our Apps
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

Semper Huh?

Though not for lack of effort, the Navy’s organizational identity is shadowy at best. Here’s how its culture could readily be imbued with more spirit.
By Captain Michael Junge, U.S. Navy
February 2013
Proceedings
Article
View Issue
Comments

In November 2008 then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead approved and issued the first Navy Ethos. It was the culmination of months of Web-based surveys and interviews that sought to fulfill his earlier guidance, directing development of a “warrior ethos.” The Navy’s explanation of the Ethos is that it “identifies the distinguishing character, culture, or beliefs of a group or institution” and is “designed to communicate a set of beliefs appropriate and important to the more than 400,000 military and 180,000 civilian personnel who share a common bond of service in the Navy, regardless of background, personal experience, or position.” When the Ethos made its debut it was met with significant resistance and derision. More than four years later, it is hardly ever referred to in daily naval discourse, and a review of official Navy correspondence found it mentioned only cursorily in top-level CNO guidance.

Member-Only Content

Join the U.S. Naval Institute to gain access to this article and other articles published in Proceedings since 1874. Members receive this valuable benefit and so much more.

Become a Member Today

If you are already a Member, please log in to gain access, and thank you for your Membership.

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2021 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies