The Navy needs innovation to maintain superiority, but innovation cannot exist without bold sailors who are willing to embrace risk and face failure. Here, a new chief petty officer is saluted during a pinning ceremony.

The Enlisted Evaluation Needs a Boldness Performance Trait

Enlisted Prize Essay Contest—First Prize, Sponsored by USAA. A risk-averse culture has taken root in the Sea Services, and its consequences could be significant if global conflict materializes.

Petty Officer Second Class Dustin Evans, U.S. Navy
November 2024
U.S. Naval Submarine School students go through surface survival training at the school’s Pressurized Submarine Escape Training facility as part of Basic Enlisted Submarine School in July 2024. Submarine sailors should train with escape systems more frequently to master their last best chance for survival in combat.

The Submarine Force Must Increase Escape Training

Navy submarine sailors should train with submarine escape systems more frequently to master their last best chance for survival in combat.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Harris, U.S. Navy
October 2024
A chief boatswain’s mate evaluates recruits during basic seamanship training at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois. Training to develop character and instill technical competence starts at RTC and continues throughout a sailor’s career. Chiefs help to promote sailors by assisting the commanding officer to provide effective documentation of performance.

The Master Chief’s Short Guide to Evaluations

Enlisted evaluations communicate the commanding officer’s appraisal of an individual’s performance to the sailor and to selection and screening boards.

Master Chief Petty Officer David Fogel, U.S. Navy Reserve
September 2024
A lack of investment in naval and commercial shipbuilding after the end of the Cold War has caused the Navy to struggle to rebuild and grow its fleet. But new capacity at the Philly Shipyard (shown here) demonstrate that greater domestic shipbuilding is possible.

The Sea Services Must Support Infrastructure Investment

While U.S. infrastructure problems extend beyond the Sea Services, the Sea Services’ top leaders must emphasize the critical role of a robust transportation network in national defense.

Petty Officer First Class Christine Greeley, U.S. Coast Guard
March 2024