June 1922 Proceedings—In his address “The Navy and Business” to the National Association of Manufacturers, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Robert E. Coontz said, “There are many who think that our power as a great nation rests on the strength of our fighting ships. Such is not the case. ‘Sea Power’ is the basis of our real strength. By sea power, we mean a combination of all means by which we can gam control of the sea. The first great element of sea power is the fighting ship, the second element is the merchant ship, and the third is the base.”
June 1972 Proceedings—In “China: Nuclear Dragon,” Lieutenant Commander Scott Allen, U.S. Navy, wrote, “The key to containment of Chinese ambitions will be neither nuclear weapons nor fixed U.S. ground or air forces, but alliance among Free Asian nations, supported by mobile U.S. Navy striking power. . . . With such naval forces, the United Stales will provide each Asian country under threat of Chinese interference the option of freedom; for these nations must have the support of modem weapons technology.”
June 1997 Proceedings—In “Retaining the JOs: Looking Up or Going Down?” Lieutenant Sias Ray Kennedy, U.S. Navy, addressed a range of issues— downsizing of the force, family, new career—bearing on low retention rates in the submarine force. "Nuclear officer incentive pay [NOIP] is critical in the retention of submarine force talent. Nevertheless, the Navy needs to recognize that NOIP is not a panacea. . . . Junior officers view NOIP as compensation for the sacrifices that come with being in the submarine force, and junior officers are willing to put up with a little less job satisfaction. However, when the jobs get too unsatisfying or conditions too grave, monetary incentives cease to work.”
A. Denis Clift
Golden Life Member