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Captain Brett Crozier, U.S. Navy
Recent events on board the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt raise questions about military discipline and chain of command.
U.S. Navy (Nicholas Huynh)

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Command at Sea: What’s Love Got to Do with It?

The recent situation on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and how Americans, including veterans, have reacted shows an alarming trend in military discipline and command responsibility.
By Captain William J. Toti, U.S. Navy (Retired)
April 2020
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While teaching leadership to my sailors, I sometimes used movie clips to make a specific point. One of the best was the superb 1949 movie “Twelve O’clock High,” starring Gregory Peck. The story starts with a character named Colonel Keith Davenport, the group commander of the 918th Bomb Group. The unit is flying daylight bombing runs over Germany and suffering terrible losses. Davenport cares for his command intensely. He agonizes for his men. He works tirelessly. He loves his men, and they love him.

But his love is killing them.

Higher command’s operations officer, Brigadier General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck’s character), decides it’s time to relieve Davenport, and he is asked to take the job. An aptly named, notorious hard-ass, Savage shows up and immediately focuses on discipline. He reminds his soldiers that they are in the Army. He sets expectations and holds them accountable. Initially, they hate him. They fight him. They resist. But soon, their combat effectiveness improves, and their loss rate declines. Gradually, they realize Savage was right, and they come to respect their new commanding officer.

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Captain William J. Toti, U.S. Navy (Retired)

A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Captain Toti commanded the USS Indianapolis (SSN-697), Submarine Squadron 3, and Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Command Norfolk.

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