The foundation of Navy blog'n

Is blog'n new? Is MilBlog'n new? Not really.

Though I have been at this since '04, there are others who have been at it longer, quite a few. The concept, or more accurately the, well, je ne sais quoi of blog'n has been around for awhile - only the technology was not been there for some who would have been great bloggers.

In a blogger you should find a bit of a questioning mind mixed up with a little self-conscience earnestness, arrogance, and bravado - focused on something that person is passionate about. For MilBlogers, it is what we have dedicated the meatier parts of our lives to, the Constitution and the nation and people it serves. For Navy Milblogers, it's the Navy as well. There are a few schools of thought out there that do not like the critical angle some blogs and their posts take - they see it unprofessional, underhanded, and perhaps tinged with a bit of disloyalty. That is a fair opinion, but perhaps not quite right - at least I don't think so. No, the "attitude" of MilBlog's, their personality - used when needed - has a long and cherished pedigree. Here are a few of my heroes, in case you wonder where I find my muse & moxie sometimes.

“Any commander who fails to exceed his authority is not of much use to his subordinates.”

-Admiral Arleigh Burke

"Mr. Chairman, all the thrust in Christendom couldn't make a Navy fighter out of that airplane."

-Vice Admiral Tom Connolly

"The Navy has both a tradition and a future--and we look with pride and confidence in both directions."

-Admiral George Anderson, CNO, 1 August 1961.

"After I had finished my tour as Naval Attache in Paris, 1897 to 1900, they would not let me come home. Anyway they sent me to the Kentucky on the way out [to the Asia Station]. I had never seen one of our battleships before. They were built while I was abroad. I was acquainted with the foreign ones. When I saw that battleship I was absolutely astounded. It is almost incredible that white men who have reached the present stage of civilization could have built a ship like that."

-Admiral William Sims

See, nut'n new under the sun. I can't hold a candle to these men, but I can try to follow the example they set; and that is why I do what I do. In light, and in spite, of the above - I would like to share a honor that was recently given to my alter ego, CDR Salamander. I have been a member of the United States Naval Institute since I was a Midshipman. I have subscribed for over two decades to both Proceedings and Naval History magazines. The USNI is taking the next step on the Web - it has opened a group blog, the USNI Blog. I will be sharing the honor of blogg'n there with some folks you know, such as Chap, Eagle1, Galrahn, SteelJawScribe, Springboard, and some perhaps new like Frogman, Peter Stinson & James Dolbow, Eric Wertheim, and of course our SOPA(s), Admiral Stavridis, USN & Admiral Allen, USCG. You'll still find me over at MilBlogs and here as well - but USNI will let me dive into more Navy stuff than usual - should be fun. I am a bit humbled by the company and look forward to blog'n with all - though in all honesty I feel like shimmy'n on over to Eagle1, tap his elbow with my Bud Longneck and asking in a whisper,

"How in the h311 did we get invited to this party?"

Oh, and I promise to be on my best behavior while in my neighbor's house. Today is Day 1 for the blog, come on by and visit. In case you are wondering - here is the D&G,

We are pleased to open this dialog with all who wish to discuss policy and other matters related to the Nation’s defense. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of issues and opinions from our guest bloggers. We at USNI will not set the agenda or control it in any way. But we have encouraged our editorial staff, editorial board, and the entire USNI family to comment on your thoughts as develop in this open forum.

Blog Freely,
Bill Miller, Publisher, USNI