CDR Salamander

.... getting the paper. These guys, well ....

Background here.

Hat tip LGB.

An absolutely critical article by General Barry McCaffrey (Ret.) on Mexico. As with most of his work, it is serious and absolutely demands your attention.

Just a bit from the report,

A. Mexico is on the edge of the abyss---it could become a narco-state in the coming decade. Chronic drug consumption has doubled since 2002 to 500,000 addicts. Possibly 5% or 3.5 million people consume illegal drugs. (the US figure is 8.3% or 20.4 million). Since 2002--- past month Mexican national drug consumption has increased by 30% and cocaine use has doubled. The fastest growing addiction rates are among the 12 to 17 year old population -- and the consumption rates among women have doubled.

B. Drug criminal behavior is the central threat to the state. Mexico probably produces 8 metric tons of heroin a year and 10,000 metric tons of marijuana. 90% of all US cocaine transits Mexico. Mexico is also the dominant source of methamphetamine production for the US market. The drug cartels have criminal earnings in excess of $25 billion per year ---and physically repatriate more than $10 billion a year in bulk cash back into Mexico from the US.

C. The bottom line--- nearly 7000 people murdered in the internal drug wars since 2006--- 3,985 murdered this year alone through 25 November. The outgunned Mexican law enforcement authorities face armed criminal attacks from platoon-sized units employing night vision goggles, electronic intercept collection, encrypted communications, fairly sophisticated information operations, sea-going submersibles, helicopters and modern transport aviation, automatic weapons, RPG’s, Anti-Tank 66 mm rockets, mines and booby traps, heavy machine guns, 50 cal sniper rifles, massive use of military hand grenades, and the most modern models of 40mm grenade machine guns.

Read it all - and the National Journal article as well. Mexico falls apart - we get involved - we have a history.

Hat tip Michael.

Didn't we talk about this when I was an ENS, a LT, a .... well .... all the time?

Verbal abuse. Public degradation. Sleep deprivation. Fear. Temperamental outbursts. High school antics. Bullying. These descriptors are more indicative of hazing rituals than meaningful combat training aspiring to build watch team cohesion and capable war-fighters.

Decades later ... and still we are in rinse, repeat mode.

Is this your ship?

One junior officer in Mayport, Fla., explained: “I typically get thrown off the bridge at least once during a watch by a senior officer in some sort of profanity-laced tirade. Most of the time I have no idea what I did to cause the explosion.”
...
“There’s definitely a SWO culture. Thrive off of getting as little sleep as humanly possible, think Aegis is the greatest thing to happen to the human race, make fun of the folks who ‘don’t get it,’ talk down about the non-watchstanding supply rates, and you’re ‘in.’ It’s a bit like high school. SWOs eat their young. You earn respect for ripping into people and just being generally ‘hard-core.’ ”

...
“SWOs eat their young. Your job: stay on the good side of the bullies, the feared and unrelenting senior officers on your ship. Avoid being on the receiving end of their wrath. I am ashamed to say that I contributed to this culture to avoid finding myself on the other side of the table. To deal with the bullies, you become a bully. And, if you survive, you wear your SWO pin ‘like a badge of honor.’ ”

If so, why?

One of my spies reminded me of this very interesting article from the 16 MAR NavyTimes by Professor Donnie Horner.

Read it twice.

Gator fans, again. Byron, for this and so many other splendid reasons, you must be so happy and proud of your Congressmanladywoman.

President Obama has picked his SECNAV,

President Obama will nominate former Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus to be secretary of the Navy and has tapped six other officials for key positions at the Department of Defense and elsewhere in his administration, the White House announced this afternoon.

Is he someone soaked in the Navy? Well, a bit.

As an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi, Mabus served in the Naval ROTC, and he later joined the Navy as a surface warfare officer on the Rhode Island-based USS Little Rock.

Ok, notsomuch.

However, if you are of the mind that what the Navy needs right now is political topcover as we make smoke and try to re-form our lines ... then perhaps this is just what we need.

Mabus, 60, is a Democrat who served as governor from 1988 to 1992 and was President Bill Clinton's ambassador to Saudi Arabia. A Democrat, Mabus endorsed Obama before the 2008 primary season and campaigned extensively on his behalf.

My guess would be that he has a good relationship with Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS), a if not the critical Democrat in Congress when it comes to shipbuilding - that is good news regardless if you like Rep. Taylor's ideas or not. Snerk, I know the folks at Ingalls are happy ....

His resume summary,

Ray Mabus has served as Governor of Mississippi, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Chairman and CEO of Foamex, a large manufacturing company. As the youngest governor of Mississippi in more than 100 years at the time of his election, he stressed education and job creation. He passed B.E.S.T. (Better Education for Success Tomorrow), one of the most comprehensive education reform programs in America and was named one or Fortune Magazine's top ten education governors. During his tenure as Ambassador, a crisis with Iraq was successfully deterred and Saudi Arabia officially abandoned the boycott of United States businesses that trade with Israel. He was chosen CEO of Foamex to help lead it out of bankruptcy. Less than nine months after his appointment, Foamex successfully emerged from Chapter 11. Governor Mabus has been awarded the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award, the U.S. Army's Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Martin Luther King Social Responsibility Award from the King Center in Atlanta, the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award, the King Abdul Aziz Award from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Mississippi Association of Educators' Friend of Education Award.

We should all wish him the best of luck - and the hope he picks a good team.

I know, I know. There are some things best left unsaid. What is seen cannot be unseen. But I am sorry - this made me smile. I do not apologize, I am what I am. I may not buy tickets, but the fact this makes me happy, is that so wrong? Is that so wrong?

Spandau Ballet, the Eighties icons, are reuniting for a comeback world tour, ending one of the most bitter splits in British music history.

The five original band members - Tony Hadley, Steve Norman, John Keeble, and brothers Martin and Gary Kemp - chose HMS Belfast on the Thames, the scene of their famous 1980 gig, to announce they had buried the hatchet.

They will pocket an estimated £12 million for the tour, which kicks off in October with a string of British dates before heading to Europe, Asia and Australia. The band's first comeback performance will be on BBC One show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross in the coming weeks.

Hey, I'm perhaps not as happy as Andrew Sullivan at a Softcell and Petshop Boys double ticket .... but still .... I'm happy ... and no Skippy; I don't know if they were wearing Sailor Suits on the BELFAST.

Anyway - this is the early and best work, perhaps - and not just because it has a Hopkirkish look to it.

Ok; a little ghey - not that there is anything wrong with that.

In case you weren't there. Quoted in full, without comment, by CDR Michael Junge, USN - former Commanding Officer of the USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD-41).

Commodore, thank you for your kind words. I’ve spent months thinking about writing, and giving, this speech. But, unlike the one I wrote and gave almost two years ago – which I wrote with relish and excitement – this one I postponed and postponed, only writing the first words three weeks ago. As a result, I fully expect this to be as disjointed, fragmented, and confused as my thoughts and emotions are today.

I remember standing on the flight deck 20 months ago with Captain Pete Fanta and my predecessor, Erik Ross, and making jokes about how when taking command this ceremony is just like getting married. As a groom all you do is show up, say the right words at the right time, do what you are told.

Well…relinquishing command, in turn, is akin to being the father of the bride and giving someone you love away to a complete and utter stranger, but having all the trust and confidence that he will do everything to take care of your girl.

Like all analogies, that one falls apart if you dig to far…but I can unreservedly say that I have loved this job…for all it’s faults, problems, challenges, and infuriating times I loved it. From my first day underway with a conning officer who was, I later learned, conning the ship for the very first time…to my last night sleeping on the barge instead of in my all too familiar cabin.

Despite, or perhaps because of, what Paulette and I came to call “The Drama” I have grown, and learned, and had some amazing epiphanies, and also made some incredible mistakes. I thanked the crew yesterday for their support in a challenging tour…but want to mention a few things along the way about the crew whose command I relinquish today.

In the 602 days since I took command, this ship was out of homeport for over 320 of them with 90% of those days underway, at sea.

The most underway ship in the Atlantic Fleet for most of that tour.

With a crew who had already deployed for six of the twelve months before I took command.

The days of “where are the carriers” has definitely been replaced with “where are the amphibs” and this amphib was there, and there, and there over and over again.

One spectacular underway replenishment of a merchant vessel.

Two beer days.

Three times reporting that we were out of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Four amazing summer port calls that many other ships and crews only dream of.

Five ships freed from Somali pirates.

10 rounds in defense of the ship.

Operations with any special operations unit you can name. This crew did superb things, in difficult conditions and they deserve my thanks, my gratitude, and the gratitude of a Nation who will never fully understand what they did and how they fit into our continued freedom. And that’s OK…because if we are doing our jobs right, then no one ever remembers us.

This crew is an amazing collection of people and a study in contradictions. For all of our successes and challenges, the one thing I will always remember is that everyone who walked onboard this ship and spent more than 30 seconds with a member of this crew came away knowing that these Sailors are proud of what they do, proud of the United States Navy, and proud of USS Whidbey Island.

There are a few people I want to thank from outside the lifelines. First of all, Captain Pete Fanta, who was my first commodore and could not be here today. He let me command from the very first day. There are still squadron commodores out there who reach inside the lifelines and make decisions for those commanding officers. Captain Fanta was not one of them and he let me do my thing – even letting me make mistakes and sometimes taking the heat for me so that I could learn what to do, what not to do, and be a better Captain.

Commodore Lineberry – though only working for you for a short time thank you as well for letting us do our thing our way as we moved from the operational phase into what you see around us. You have a great staff that have been nothing but professional and helpful and I wish you the best as you deploy South on one of the most important missions our Navy does today.

Commodore Craig Kleint and Captain Michael Hill and the rest of the LSD LPD Class Squadron staff. They have done amazing work documenting the well intentioned mistakes Navy has made towards LSDs and helping provide solutions to correct those errors. It’s an almost thankless job – but valuable and slowly being recognized for how important it is.

I’d like to thank CDR George Bain, who also could not be here. In a dark time last November he lent his wit, his experience, and his support when I and the crew really needed it. His death in January was a tremendous blow to all of us and he leaves behind a world that was the better for us having known him.

Metro Machine – John Stremm, Rod Douglas, Bob Wallace and an amazing team working behind, above and around us on this massive ship who let us take a short pause for this ceremony.

Command Master Chief Kevin Morgan and his wife Anne – bedrock support and sage advice. Master Chief – Even though BMC has done a great job and we transferred you to ACU2 for all the right reasons, I have missed talking to you every day since you left.

Chaplain Charles Luff. He carried peppermint lifesavers with him everywhere he went and was an inspiration to everyone on our deployment.

Our Scan Eagle detachment – four slimy contractors and four IA’d Sailors who helped us make history.

LCDR Dave Zielinski and LCDR Tony Duttera – the face of Amphibious Squadron TWO. Both class acts and officers I hope to serve with again.

When a blogger who has never served a day at sea questioned my ability to command a number acquaintances, but mostly strangers, rapidly defended me. Boston Maggie, Neptunus Lex, Galhran, Commander Salamander, Eagle1, Sailor Bob, Georgia Girl, MustangLT and a whole host of others – thank you all and I am grateful that a messy drama like that brought so many new and valuable friends into my life.

Christina Wray and Penney Soboski – two amazing women who balanced busy homelives with demanding jobs as Whidbey Island’s ombudsmen. Thank you for everything you did behind the scenes to take care of the families we left ashore when we were at sea. Without you, your dedication, and your care this job would have been far more challenging.

BMC Garrett – thanks for stepping in as Command Master Chief and I hope to see your name on the Senior Chief list.

XO, thanks for getting the difference between “at, near, and about”. I wish you, Julie, and your ever growing family the best as you finish this tour and move on to your future.

Mom – thanks for spending time with the girls while I was gone. It will take some getting used to with you visiting a little bit less now with me home and Saylor in Annapolis.

Finally, Paulette, Ella and Eva. I have missed you these past two years more than you will ever know. And I know you missed having me at home. As we discussed over and over again, we made the decision to geo-bach this tour for all the right reasons. It still sucked. While I am saddened to be leaving command, that sadness is eclipsed – completely and wholly - by the joy I have that I will once again be home with you three (and Lenny, Jane, and Goldie) each and every night – not just a few weekends each month.

Kirk – congratulations on coming to command. You are the absolutely right person for this job and I could not think of a better person to be turning command over to. I envy you being able to take Whidbey Island, put her together and take her back to sea again.

Eighteen years ago this month I reported to my first ship. Sixteen years ago this month I qualified surface warfare officer. Fifteen years ago – almost to the day – I left that first ship. At least one shipmate from that time is here today, as are a number of others who helped me along the way. It has been a winding, challenging, interesting road to get here and I am curious to see what comes next.

In closing…I want to leave you with the New Years greeting one of my favorite authors used this past year:

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

I will now read my orders:

“From: Chief of Naval Personnel Millington, Tennessee;

To: Commanding Officer, USS WHIDBEY ISLAND

Subject: Bupers Order 0124-1025-0127

When directed by reporting senior, detach from duty as Commanding Officer USS WHIDBEY ISLAND, and report to for duty to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.”

CDR Weatherly, I am ready to be relieved.

When I say Battle of the Komandorski, what comes to mind? If nothing, well that is sad ... but we can fix that.

Well, I think you would be hard pressed to find a more deserving Battle for FbF - if for no other reason than the very, well ... Shoe-y-ish-ness of it all.

A perfect day in the Northern Latitudes, you know the type of day.

The day was dawning with remarkable visibility under a light overcast, a glassy sea and gentle breezes from the southwest. Air and water temperatures were just at or above freezing. At 0830, apprized of his opposition, Hosogaya began to deploy his ships. Abukuma with Wakaba, Hatsushimo and Ikazuchi turned in column to starboard, followed two minutes later by Nachi, Maya and Tama. The two transports, accompanied by Inazuma, continued north, northwest as Hosogoya led his fleet southeastward in two parallel columns to engage the American fleet. At about this time Nachi launched an aircraft to assist in spotting the fall of shot.

How much do you rely on Intel? What do you do when you realize you are outnumbered almost two to one?

McMorris’ movements upon sizing up his opposition were reckless. Initially he believed he had found the expected convoy and that it would be lightly escorted. But as the masts of first one and then two heavy cruisers hove into sight over the horizon, he realized he was outnumbered and outgunned. Nonetheless, he continued to lead his fleet toward the enemy,

What was he looking at?

Forces Engaged - Battle of Komandorski Islands

TYPE	NAME	YEAR	DISP FL	MAIN	SEC	TT	SPD
CA CL DD DD DD DD	Salt Lake City Richmond Bailey Coughlan Dale Monaghan	1927 1921 1941 1942 1935 1935	11,512 9,508 2,395 2,395 2,064 2,064	10x8/55 10x6/53 5x5/38 5x5/38 5x5/38 5x5/38	8x5/25 2x3/50	10x21" 10x21" 10x21" 8x21" 8x21"	32.5 34 35 35 36.5 36.5
Total	6	1934	29,938

CA CA CL CL DD DD DD DD	Nachi Maya Tama Abukuma Wakaba Hatsushimo Ikazuchi Inazuma	1924 1928 1921 1925 1934 1933 1932 1932	14,743 14,604 5,832 5,570 1,802 1,802 1,980 1,980	10x8/50 10x8/50 7x5.5/50 7x5.5/50 5x5/50 5x5/50 6x5/50 6x5/50	8x5/40 8x5/40 2x3.1/40 2x3.1/40	8x24" 8x24" 8x24" 8x24" 8x24" 8x24" 9x24" 9x24"	35.5 35.5 36 36 36.5 36.5 38 38
Total	8	1929	48,313

I also want you to ponder Damage Control. Follow this performance by the crew of the USS SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25) in particular.

By 0840 the Americans were in battle formation: a single column still heading north led by Bailey followed by Coghlan, then Richmond, Salt Lake City, Dale and finally, Monaghan when Maya and then Nachi opened fire at a range of 20,000 yards. Maya obtained a straddle on Richmond with her second salvo, but then both cruisers switched fire to Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City began shooting back two minutes later. The Americans believed they scored a quick hit on Nachi with Salt Lake City’s third and fourth salvos, but they were apparently observing blast damage on Maya. Her action report stated that her opening salvos set her No. 1 floatplane ablaze. Damage control dumped the plane overboard and quickly controlled the fire. At 0844, as the range continued to rapidly close, Nachi launched eight torpedoes. Apparently these came close to doing serious harm: lookouts aboard Richmond saw a torpedo pass under her bow while one broke surface near Bailey’s starboard quarter. At the time these reports were discounted because the Americans still had no appreciation of the Japanese Long Lance torpedoes’ range.

At 0845 McMorris finally changed course as the range was closing rapidly, turning to port, and increasing speed to 28 knots. As the Americans settled on a southwesterly course, Salt Lake City continued firing with her rear turrets and drew first blood hitting Nachi at 0850 with her sixteenth salvo from approximately 16,000 yards. One 8” shell struck the aft section of the compass bridge, killing eleven and wounding twenty-one and damaging the gunnery control electrical circuit. The second shell damaged one of the mainmast’s struts. Two minutes later a third 8” shell struck Nachi’s aft aircraft deck, killing two and wounding five in the torpedo room below. Damage control attempted to shift the affected generator to a boiler with low steam pressure. This error resulted in a complete failure in all power to Nachi’s main battery turrets, freezing her guns at full elevation and leaving them unable to train. She was effectively out of the battle for a half-hour while power was restored.

As Nachi struggled to correct her damage, Hosogaya turned his cruisers southwest to pursue the Americans. The light cruisers and destroyers had already peeled off to the southwest several minutes before. Strategically he was now between McMorris and his base, chasing the Americans from their aft port quarter while his light forces, positioned to protect the convoy, followed from the starboard quarter. Tactically, Hosogaya possessed the weather gage, but a stern chase is a long chase. His cruisers had to turn to fire their full broadsides (only four of their ten 8” guns could bear forward) and these maneuvers negated any advantage he might have gained with his superior speed.

As the Japanese settled on their new course, the range opened slightly. The Maya rightly concentrated her fire on Salt Lake City. Her aim was good, but Captain Rogers commanding the American heavy cruiser successfully chased salvos until 0910 when Maya finally landed an 8” shell on Salt Lake City’s starboard spotter plane on the midships catapult. The only two deaths the Americans were to suffer during the battle resulted, but damage control quickly extinguished the fire and dumped the plane over the side.

Another hit, once again from Maya followed at 0920. This struck Salt Lake City’s quarterdeck, but did little to immediately affect her fighting value. At this point the Americans gradually started bending their course west, then west by northwest. The Japanese suspended fire for nine minutes from 0921 to 0930 when Nachi re-opened fire. They were now sailing almost due west. By 0945 Tama had encroached to within 18,000 yards of Salt Lake City’s starboard quarter. Rogers sheered his ship out of line and with a few salvos forced the light cruiser to make a 360° turn. During this portion of the battle Abukuma with the three destroyers continued to follow off the American’s starboard quarter, out of range, but gradually closing.

Salt Lake City first experienced a serious problem at 0952 when the repeated concussions of her own salvos, as well as numerous near misses, threw her steering gear out of control. This problem was corrected, but only temporarily. By 0953 Abukuma had approached sufficiently close to merit attention from Richmond. The Japanese light cruiser exhibited a certain timidity, opening range when she came under fire by turning more to the north; perhaps her orders made protection of the convoy her primary responsibility.

At 1002 Salt Lake City’s steering gear failed again, this time permanently, restricting her course changes to only 10 degrees and thus limiting her ability to chase salvos. This handicap quickly told: at 1010 Salt Lake City was hit again from a range of nearly 22,000 yards; the shell, fortunately a dud, passed through her main deck and out her hull below the waterline, causing flooding in an engine room. At 1018, with Salt Lake City taking on water and having trouble steering, McMorris ordered his destroyers to make smoke to hide her from the pursuing Japanese. Conditions were perfect for this tactic and the white chemical and black funnel smoke hung thick in the still air behind the Americans.

At 1028 Salt Lake City changed course to 240?. Richmond followed about 3,000 yards astern while the destroyers remained on her engaged side, continuing to pour smoke from their funnels and generators. As the American column made its way west northwest at 30 knots, the Japanese cruisers followed. Up to this point, Hosogaya had fought an intelligent battle, exploiting McMorris’ initial aggressive movements to position his ships in the superior position. His long-range gunnery had damaged the principal American ship. With the advantages of speed, material and position, it was time to close range and force the issue. Instead the Japanese cruisers continued to zigzag, Hosogaya electing to fire full broadsides rather than close range. For three quarters of an hour the Japanese failed to score any hits as the smoke served to protect Salt Lake City, despite the presence of Nachi’s spotter plane. At 1100 McMorris turned his column due south. The Japanese cruisers were slow to respond to this course change and continued west for nearly a half-hour. Hosogaya was permitting McMorris to slip out of his trap. At 1103 Abukuma hit Salt Lake City, her fourth and final hit. This caused flooding in her after gyro and engine rooms. She took on a 5° list, but continued at full speed.

Shortly after the American course change the Japanese launched a torpedo attack with Maya firing four at 1105 followed by eight from Nachi at 1107 and four more from Abukuma at 1115. These sixteen torpedoes probably passed behind the Americans. The cruisers continued to swap ineffective salvos. Then, at 1125 Salt Lake City’s after fireroom went out of commission reducing her speed to 20 knots. McMorris initially ordered his destroyers to conduct a torpedo attack and they dropped back to get into position, but he canceled his order at 1138 as Salt Lake City was able to work her speed back up. Hosogaya was only able to close range about 3,000 yards during this time as he maneuvered to avoid the torpedo attack that never came.

At 1148 Nachi was hit again by a 5” shell on the starboard front side of #1 turret. This blocked her turret and killed one and wounded another crew. At 1149 the Japanese destroyers tried to enter the action when Wakaba fired five torpedoes at the American destroyers followed by six from Hatsushimo at 1154. As this attack was being conducted, the battle reached its moment of crises. At 1150, engineers counterflooding to correct Salt Lake City’s list, accidentally let water into the fuel oil and extinguished her burners. By 1154 she was dead in the water. The Japanese heavy cruisers were 19,000 yards north northwest, firing steadily and closing while the light cruisers were a little further to the northeast. Although Salt Lake City was partially obscured by smoke, there appeared to be little hope of saving her. McMorris immediately ordered his destroyers to form up for a torpedo attack. At 1159 Bailey, Coghlan and Monaghan reversed course to close the cruisers 17,000 yards to their northwest while Dale remained to refresh the smoke screen. Richmond closed Salt Lake City to evacuate her crew if need be. Rogers, however, was not ready to give up his ship. Frantic damage control efforts got her burners lit and by 1200 she was underway again making 8 knots.

As the American destroyers charged northwest Coghlan fired her 5” guns at Maya while the other two targeted Nachi. Hosogaya shifted fire to this threat and Bailey was quick to suffer. At 1200 an 8” shell struck her galley door on the starboard side, killing five. In the next two minutes she was hit again in her forward fireroom and her forward engineroom loosing boilers 1 and 2. Scrapnel from near misses wounded four on Coghlan and knocked both radars out of commission. Nachi suffered her fifth hit during this run in on a signal platform to starboard. Bailey launched five torpedoes at 1203 from 10,000 yards and turned away. The punishing fire prevented the other two destroyers from closing any further and they turned away as well, their torpedoes still in their tubes. Salt Lake City reopened fire just before Bailey’s fish hit the water. McMorris turned his cruisers east. Hosogaya made a turn to the west at 1203. The Japanese ceased fire at 1204 and the Americans at 1212. Both forces were now heading in opposite directions toward their respective bases.

Hosogaya’s turnabout seemed a miracle to the Americans. Apparently there were several factors behind his decision. His destroyers were low on fuel and his cruisers low on ammunition. He was not aware of the gravity of Salt Lake City’s problems. He was also concerned about air attacks. When Salt Lake City reopened fire, she was using HE ammunition, having expended all her AP. Apparently the white splashes from these shells were interpreted as explosions from aerial bombs dropped from above the overcast. Hosogaya’s decision to turn away was reportably not popular with his men. “They silently cursed the caution of their chief which depreived them of a victory already won.”

This battle was fought at long ranges, under perfect conditions, without intervention by aircraft (other than the one spotter) submarines shore batteries or mines. In this regard, Komandorski was unique, at least in the Pacific Theater. The expenditure of ammunition for all the American ships engaged was heavy. Salt Lake City fired 806 8” shells, 85% of her stock, and 95 5”. Richmond contributed 271 6” and 14 3” while Bailey, Coghlan, Dale and Monaghan fired 481, 750, 728 and 235 rounds of 5” respectively. On the Japanese side the totals for the heavy cruisers were impressive: Nachi and Maya fired 707 and 904 8” rounds respectively (up to 70% of their total) and 276 and 9 5”. The light forces fired considerably less: Tama 136 5.5” and Abukuma just 95 5.5”. Of the destroyers only Wakaba and Hatsushimo got into the action. Wakaba fired a few rounds of 5” and Hatsushimo only 5. The Americans launched 5 torpedoes, all from Bailey, while the Japanese launched 43, Nachi 16, Maya 8, Abukuma 4, Tama 4, Wakaba 6 and Hatsushimo 5. No torpedoes scored, but interestingly, the two American attacks, one aborted and one only partially carried out, had decisive results. The first prevented Hosogaya from closing range just before Salt Lake City lost power and the second encouraged him to break off his attack just when it was in his power to win the battle.

More details on the battle here. Things to ponder - how is your DC training? Are you ready to fight hurt? Are you ready to fight when your primary weapons are not hitting as you expect? Is you ship designed to fight hurt? Are you too reliant on technology?

The sharp-eyed Japanese lookout once again got the jump on American radar. It wasn’t until a half hour later, at 0730, around an hour before dawn, when radar on McMorris’ flagship light cruiser Richmond and Coughlan independently detected ships north of the American picket line.

Are your leaders ready to fight hurt, or are they going to retreat without full victory? How is caution in war seen by history - or your peers and superiors?

McMorris maneuvered his fleet patiently and well. When the battle began he was outgunned and cut off from base. He managed to play to Hosogaya’s caution by conducting a slow, wide turn while maintaining range. The failure of the Japanese destroyers and light cruisers to play a larger part in this battle is a mystery. They never closed the range sufficiently to effectively attack although it was easily within in their power to do so. Apparently this caution was not of Hosogaya’s making as he was not happy with their performance. The Japanese inflicted more damage than they received, but strategically, they were defeated as their transports returned to base without delivering the supplies so badly needed by the isolated Aleutian garrisons. The final indicator of victory or defeat is how the commanding officer is judged by his superiors. Hosogaya was relived and sent into reserve. McMorris was decorated and became chief of staff to Admiral Nimitz.

Red Dawn; do I need to say more.

In a good world, someone would be burned at the stake for this blasphemy.

My dear Kristen - avert your eyes.

"Naked Dawn" Trailer (w/ Rob Schneider, Mena Suvari and Vinnie Jones) Re-Uploaded and Safer-For-Work from Rob Schneider

Byron, LBG; weep with me - MTH; avenge our lost honor. T1, it there anything we can do to recover?

Mind numbing, condescending, paternalistic racism.

Anyone who tells you standards will not be downgraded to meet some Room 222 mindset concept of DNA bean counting is either willfully ignorant, thinks you are too dumb to know better, or is lying.

What is an alternative to standard, definable, equal standards for all? Simple, "Alternative."

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL SERVICE TRAINING COMMAND
2601A PAUL JONES ST
GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS 60088-2845
NSTCNOTE 1533
N7
19 Jan 09
NSTC NOTICE 1533

From: Commander, Naval Service Training Command

Subj: NAVAL RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS ALTERNATIVE SCHOLARSHIP RESERVATION PROCESS FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-2010

Ref: (a) NSTCINST 1533.3
(b) OPNAV N00 ltr 1533 Ser N00/100067 of 22 Aug 08 Encl: (1) Alternative Scholarship Reservation Form

1. Purpose. To provide procedural guidance for granting four- year Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Alternative Scholarship Reservation (ASR), establishing a more inclusive scholarship process.

2. Cancellation. This notice cancels previous NSTCNOTE 1533 dated 19 December 2008 with the same subject.

3. Background
a. The Chief of Naval Operations has challenged the Navy to build an officer corps which reflects the nation’s rich diversity.

b. Beginning in academic year 2009-2010, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) will award most of its NROTC scholarships to students majoring in select engineering, math and science fields per reference (a).

c. NSTC Officer Development (OD) will enroll approximately 1,100 Four-Year Navy option scholarship program freshmen for the 2009-2010 academic year.

d. NSTC understands that although a student's grade point average and performance on standardized tests are important, they are not always the best predictors of potential to become an effective Naval officer. NSTC seeks individuals who have demonstrated leadership, integrity and character as indicated by ref (b); factors such as:
(1) Participation in a variety of school, extracurricular, community or similar activities, particularly those with a charitable or public service purpose;
(2) Leadership role in such activities;
(3) Receipt of civic or similar awards;
(4) A history of overcoming personal adversity or the presence of other compelling factors, indicating that the student has a desire to succeed and the ability to overcome barriers; and
(5) Being regarded a role model by the teachers and peers at their high school.

e. Not all the above factors need be present. The intent is to provide equal opportunity to all who, for any of the above or similar reasons, demonstrate potential for future success as a Naval Officer.

f. Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Area Managers play a vital role as a bridge between our nation’s high schools and Navy community.

g. To qualify for an ASR students must:
(1) Be a senior in high school;
(2) Meet all mandatory criteria below;
(3) Meet at least one of the flexible criteria below;
(4) Complete the ASR Form, enclosure (1);
(5) Take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) for placement and academic advising by the NSTC Candidate Guidance Office (CGO), however NSTC will not use the results as selection criteria for an ASR. Students must take the ACT or SAT in time to permit use of the test results in the college admission process.
(6) Prospective candidates must finish an NROTC web application before the web application closes on 31 January 2009.
Mandatory Criteria (units = one academic year of study)
English
4 units
Mathematics (see Acceptable Courses #1)
4 units
Natural Sciences (see Acceptable Courses #2)
3 units
Social Sciences (see Acceptable Courses #3)
2 units
Acceptable Courses
1. Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, Calculus or other mathematics courses that require successful completion of Algebra I as a prerequisite.
2. Anatomy, Physiology, Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Marine Science, Oceanography, or Physics
3. Anthropology, Economics, Government, History, Psychology, or Sociology
Flexible Criteria
Grade Point Average (weighted 4.0 scale)
3.0 or higher
Class Rank
Top 40%

4. Action
a. NSTC OD shall offer 2,821 four-year scholarships to meet the target enrollment of 1,100 freshmen for the 2009-2010 academic year.

b. NSTC OD shall reserve up to 110 of the 2,821 scholarship offers for ASRs.

c. Commander, NSTC releases 10 ASRs to each NJROTC Area Manager.

d. NJROTC Area Managers will offer up to 10 ASRs to qualified students who have already completed the NROTC web application and meet eligibility criteria. Area Managers will provide written summary assessments to NSTC OD via Director NJROTC, outlining their determination of why candidates meet the scholarship criteria.

e. NJROTC Area Managers must forward all ASRs to NSTC OD no later than 28 February 2009.

f. NSTC OD shall present completed ASR packages to the Continuous National Selection Board (CNSB) so the CNSB can ensure applicants meet all criteria, and have no disqualifying factors.

g. NSTC CGO shall assist ASR selectees in obtaining admission to a university/college with an NROTC unit.

h. NSTC OD shall update Commander, NSTC weekly of ASR packages submitted and ASR scholarships granted.

5. The ASR process is an additive effort to the highly successful Continuous National Selection Board (CNSB), Immediate Scholarship Reservation, Officer Development Controlled, Tweedale, Leadership, and Historically Black Colleges & University scholarship processes, which allow us to recruit and educate
a year-group of officers that best reflect the projected future needs of our Navy.

6. Points of Contact
a. For additional information or clarification regarding this notice contact NSTC Business Management Office at (847) 688-xxxx, ext xxxx.
b. For additional information or clarification regarding the NROTC scholarship programs, contact NSTC OD2 at (850) 452-xxxx.

7. Forms. To obtain NSTC 1533/106 (Rev 01-09), Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Four-Year Alternative Scholarship Reservation Form, contact NSTC Flag Administrative Office at (847) 688-xxxx or via electronic mail nstc_admin@navy.mil.

C. S. SHARPE

The goal here is based on race, creed, and national origin - the antithesis of a free and fair society - and the core of racism and bigotry.

Here is where it will all end in tears. You will have a group that on average has lower achievement levels and capability to perform - grades and test scores are imperfect but well established objective parameters for determining that. Therefor, they will on average (always exceptions) perform at a lower level. They will therefor be evaluated, if it is permitted, at a lower level. And so on. The thing is, we are not selecting teachers or bureaucrats. We are selecting warfighters who will lead others in combat and operate highly demanding hardware that has little tolerance for poor performance. Poor performance and lack of attention to detail makes things go boom and crunch. Lower performance gets people killed and nation placed in peril.

That doesn't matter though - you get what you demand. Via the CNP N1 shop;

Issue: NJROTC Alternative Scholarship Reservation (ASR) Update
Discussion: Nominations for all of the 110 available NROTC ASR's have been completed. The 02 Mar NROTC National Continuous Selection Board (NCSB) will review 44 ASR nominees' packages. Previous NCSBs have reviewed 7 ASR nominees' packages.
Diversity breakout of ASR's:
- 31 (28%) African American
- 19 (17%) Hispanic
- 13 (12%) Asian/Pacific Islander
- 3 ( 3%) Native American
- 7 ( 6%) Multiple
- 36 (33%) Caucasian
- 1 ( 1%) Did not Respond
Desired Effect: Increase college and service options for American youth enrolled in NJROTC.

Action: None. FYSA only.

Yep, looks like America to me. Just remember one thing for me - in a zero-sum game that this is, to give to a lesser qualified person you have to take away from a higher qualified person. How that matches with a meritocracy, I have no idea.

On top of that, you are setting people up for failure. If you have a set group that you intentionally lower standards for, they will on average have a lower skill set. As a result they will have a higher failure rate every step along the way. Sure, if your goal is to have incoming personnel have a certain "look," standards be d@mned, then I guess you get your personal check in your personal, selfish block - but you push the hard work down the line to someone else. Someone who will have to tell that person, "You simply are not performing up to standards and are unquestionably performing at a much lower level than your peers."

When that person cannot handle the qualification requirements as much as his "normal standard" shipmates and falls behind, who is to blame? When he fails qual boards, who is to blame? When it comes to rankings and that individual consistently, despite his or her hard work and dedication, fails to break from the pack or lingers at the bottom due to the average superior abilities of his peers - who is to blame? When, as a result, his and on average his peer group's selection for command and higher rank is lower as a result of slower qualification, lower rankings and less than average performance, who is to blame?

It is, in a way, an institutional bureaucratic cowardice. In the rear, nursing pet theories and pet greviences, you push a personnel problem down to the tip of the spear. You are forcing a problem on the Leader forward deployed to solve a problem festering by a result of rear leadership's inability to defend its institution and its standards.

What you have effectively done is not only harm the institution your good intentions were aimed at helping, you also hurt the individual you, for your own selfish reasons, lowered standards for. Someone who just might be an average Navy officer could have been an outstanding banker, lawyer, other public servant. Instead, you fed them a false hope to meet your needs and as a result they have wasted years of their life in false hope based on hype - hype you created to meet your own selfish desires unrelated to your instutution's core Mission as outlined by Congress, The President, and the Constitution.

The only way to stop this is to have the same standards for all. That way a peer group is just that - a peer group - not a two tiered "high-low" peer group that will, on average, be rated as expected.

....and a little reminder, the NBA is incredibly undiverse and looks absolutely unlike America - yet it is exceptionally popular, growing and a popular institution in this very wonderful nation.

Sigh - the marching orders, roughly, can be heard here. I'll put out the transcript for those who don't want to listen. I'll post - you comment.

Welcome to the Chief of Naval Operations Podcast. I’m Lance Corporal Sydney Purschwitz. We’re here with Adm. Roughead at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards to talk to him about diversity. Sir, why does diversity continue to be a big focus for the Navy?

Diversity matters. And it matters for a couple of reasons. One because with a diverse population you get a range of ideas and perspectives and backgrounds that as you approach issues, situations that you come away with better solutions.

But in the military and in the Navy it’s important that we are a diverse organization because we have to represent what I call the face of America. As our population changes and the percentages of majority-minority changes and that’s always taking place we have to reflect that same demographic in our Navy and that’s why it’s important, but at the end of the day, it really makes a huge difference because we’re stronger because of the different perspectives and ideas that people bring to bear.

Since issuing your diversity policy last year, have you seen a noticeable change in diversity around the fleet?

We have seen some really great progress. Ascension numbers are up in our officer programs. We have more minority representation in ROTC, at the Naval Academy, at our prep school. We’ve expanded our junior ROTC programs, we’re expanding our ROTC programs, we’re offering scholarship opportunities sooner than we did before so that the young men and women can make an earlier choice. But we are seeing a much more diverse navy than we did just a couple of years ago.

What can sailors do to ensure that they’re upholding the standards that you’ve set for diversity in the military and in their personal life?

I think the first thing is Sailors need to recognize the value of diversity and why we must be a diverse Navy because we’re going to be a stronger for it.

But diversity is also about leadership and looking for young men and women with talent and drive and competence and putting them in positions where they can succeed. And that those positions then enable them to reach higher and go further in the Navy then they would have had they not had a leader who was looking out for them, mentoring them, training them and guiding them along in a career that is the best in the world.

Thank you Sir for taking the time to talk to us today about diversity. From Washington, I’m Lance Corp. Sydney Purschwitz.

Take charge and carry out the Plan of the Day.

Aye, aye! Three bags full!

Hat tip BUPERS spy.

All that for this?

.... and, sadly, it isn't from Hollywood - but Japan. Therefor, it is animated bunnies vs rats. Wait - watch it. Don't prejudge ......

That's OK though, I like bunnies. Bunny snipers ... now that is cool. Skippy - please translate.

Anything with the b@lls to call itself "Catsh1tOne" is worth a post.

Hat tip Allah and Ace.

Can we clone this guy and get a few dozen of this type of teleprompter-free politicians over on this side of the pond?

Guess we need to change the medals and citations too - maybe with some nice pastel ribbons.

"Recently, in a LtGen [John] Bergman, USMC, statement for the 25 March [congressional] hearing, OMB required that the following change be made before going to the Hill," Dave Riedel, of the Office of Security Review, wrote in an e-mail.

"OMB says: 'This Administration prefers to avoid using the term "Long War" or "Global War on Terror" [GWOT]. Please use "Overseas Contingency Operation.'"

Riedel asked recipients to "Please pass on to your speech writers and try to catch this change before the statements make it to OMB."

An OMB spokesman took issue with the interpretation of OMB's wishes. "There was no memo, no guidance," said Kenneth Baer. "This is the opinion of a career civil servant."

Name please.

This time, not for the Americans. Can't imagine what is going through that boy's mind ... well, maybe I can hazard a guess....

Replace "Cowboy" with "Sailor" and have some of the hosts be the more interesting ladies you find at the usual, shudder, Sailor haunts in Norfolk and San Diego - and you just might find something funny.

If this was the Sailor version - what do you think the answer to question #4 would be?

Hat tip Sid.

Oh, my!

This handout from Russian advertising agency Voskhod shows a smiling, cartoonish black man flashing the victory sign in front of the US capital building, along with the Russian slogan: "Everyone's talking about it: dark inside white!" Obama ice cream, anyone? Chocolate-vanilla ice cream is one of several Russian products being marketed using Obama even as critics call the ads racist

BTW, that is kind of the way race relations go in the rest of the world. No idea - don't get it. It's the 1930s out there in some places in more ways than one.

Remember this jewel I posted back in JAN? Well, our friends who live in America's Hat are not all that happy.

Helicopter Ben Bernanke’s Federal Reserve is dropping trillions of fresh paper dollars on the world economy, the President of the United States is cracking jokes on late night comedy shows, his energy minister is threatening a trade war over carbon emissions, his treasury secretary is dithering over a banking reform program amid rising concerns over his competence and a monumentally dysfunctional U.S. Congress is launching another public jihad against corporations and bankers.

As an aghast world — from China to Chicago and Chihuahua — watches, the circus-like U.S. political system seems to be declining into near chaos. Through it all, stock and financial markets are paralyzed. The more the policy regime does, the worse the outlook gets. The multi-ringed spectacle raises a disturbing question in many minds: Is this the end of America?

End of America? No - the Argentization of America? Perhaps.

What is this Argentization thingy? Glad you asked.

Those steeped in history can best predict the future. George Santayana said “He who does not understand history is condemned to repeat it.”

Argentina, at its peak was the fourth wealthiest country in the world. That’s right, Argentina, now just one of any number of Latin American economic basket cases. In the case of Argentina, the once mighty have fallen quite far.

Argentina was once considered a model of economic prosperity, prudence and management. Its people enjoyed an incredible standard of living. Out of 38 million people, 20 million are of Italian descent. Argentina was a place immigrants wanted to go, much like America. It was a land of promise and opportunity.

Of course, like the rest of the world, Argentina was crushed during the 1930s. It began to recover during World War II when renewed global economic activity pushed up prices for Argentine goods. Then came Juan Peron.

Peron began an economic program that nationalized much of Argentina’s industry. He also began massive public spending programs that were ill advised. He threw up trade barriers. All of this was done in the name of making Argentina economically independent and prosperous. What followed was a disaster.

Argentina began periods of stagflation and massive recessions. The country became a serial defaulter on its debt. This debt became so overwhelming that the government, after Peron left, was forced to raise taxes to a level that destroyed business activity. The country was ruined by populist policy, over spending and ruinous trade barriers.

Know history - this has all been done before. Nothing is a perfect parallel, but economics, like war, in its core principals - it has not changed.

A majority of Americans have been supportive of the use of nuclear energy in the United States in recent years, but this year's Gallup Environment Poll finds new high levels of support, with 59% favoring its use, including 27% who strongly favor it.

The video says a lot. I wasn't going to post anything on this, then I saw the video. Teleprompters, don't leave home without it/him/her.

Tough water for anyone. Let's wait for more. Important thing, no Americans dead.

So, like WWII submarines?

This fits for a very good find from reader Steve - it's all so Fullbore, I can't pick just one.

All the submarine reports Historic Naval Ship Association from S-11 to USS Diablo.

At the end of each war patrol of WW II, submarine commanders created a report on the patrol. These reports were used as the raw material to inform intelligence, improve tactics, evaluate commanders, etc. During WW II, over 1,550 patrol reports containing approximately 63,000 pages were generated. During the 1970s these were photographed and reproduced on microfilm to make them more easly accessible and easily reproduced (approx. 250 rolls). During 2008 a copy of this microfilm was scanned into digital format (110 GB), and in 2009 it was made available online here (14 GB).

These war patrol reports were written during a deadly, bitterly fought war. Please note that there may be some references to enemy forces that may be offensive in today's context.

Treat yourself here. Oh, and if you find any of those terrible Politically Incorrect comments, please report them in comments. Sadly, I couldn't find any.

I take back everything nice I ever said about him; seriously.I first thought it was a spoof - but it isn't.

The Citation reads:
Congressman Murtha's selfless devotion to the Nation's Sailors and Marines ensured they were provided the resources necessary to effectively conduct the Global War on Terrorism. His courageous leadership, vision, and loyalty to the men and women of the Department of the Navy greatly contributed to their quality of life and helped create the most modern and highly trained fighting force in history. As Chairman of Subcommittee on Defense of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Murtha's tireless advocacy helped maintain the Navy and Marine Corps team at the highest levels of combat readiness to meet the challenges of the 21st century. With grateful appreciation for his outstanding contributions to the Nation and the Navy and Marine Corps, Congressman Murtha is awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.

Selfless devotion to Marines?

Is he a profile in courage?

BLACKFIVE has some more.

If you aren't happy with this - click here, there is something you might want to sign.

Where are the recruiters? This guy has "Sailor's Sailor" all over him. Sure he is only in 8th Grade - but you have to get these guys early.

An eighth-grader at the Bill Duncan Excel Center in South Lakeland, Locke, 15, has been suspended from riding the school bus for three days after being accused of passing gas.

"Jonathan passes gas on the bus to make the other children laugh and it is so stink [sic] that you can't breathe after he does it," the bus driver wrote on a misbehavior form.

Locke said he wasn't the culprit.
"It wasn't even me," Locke said. "It was a kid who sits in front of me."

That is the funny part - if you need another excuse to dislike the school administrators that are destroying our youth, read the rest.

Is it #3 or #4? Clarity for Orwell's fleet is a must!

UNCLASSIFIED//
PASS TO ALL OFFICE CODES:
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS//
TO NAVADMIN
UNCLAS//N01000//
NAVADMIN 071/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS/MAR//
SUBJ/CALENDAR FOR AMERICA 2009//
POC/RICK xxxx/CDR/DIRECTOR NAVCO/LOC: MILLINGTON, TN/TEL: 901-874-xxxx/EMAIL:RICHARD.xxxx@NAVY.MIL//
RMKS/1. THIS MESSAGE ANNOUNCES THE 2009 CALENDAR FOR AMERICA (CFA), LISTING THE NAVY'S LARGE-SCALE CONUS OUTREACH EVENTS FOR THE COMING YEAR. EVENTS INCLUDE NAVY WEEKS, FLEET WEEKS, DIVERSITY EVENTS, BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOWS, SHIP COMMISSIONINGS, AND KEY RECRUITING EVOLUTIONS AMONG MANY OTHERS.
2. THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS (CNO) HAS A STRONG DESIRE TO TELL THE NAVY STORY TO AMERICA AND HAS DIRECTED A MORE STRATEGIC APPROACH TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF THAT MESSAGE. CNO INTENT FOR CFA 2009 IS AS FOLLOWS:
A. VISION: EDUCATE AND INFORM KEY AUDIENCES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING -- ESPECIALLY IN NON-FLEET CONCENTRATION AREAS -- OF OUR MISSION AND EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE IN SUPPORT OF OUR NATION AT WAR.
(1) USE TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS TACTICS, AMPLIFIED BY LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, AUGMENTED BY SOCIAL NETWORKING AND NEWS MEDIA.
(2) COORDINATE A SERIES OF ENGAGEMENTS HIGHLIGHTING OUR SAILORS, FLEET CAPABILITIES, AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
(3) UTILIZE PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENTS, MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, CAPABILITY DEMONSTRATIONS, AND CREATIVE MECHANISMS.
(4) REFINE AND EXECUTE A CALENDAR OF NAVY ENGAGEMENTS THAT LEVERAGES EXISTING
COMMUNITY EVENTS, TO OPTIMIZE NAVY PERSONNEL INTERACTION WITH CIVILIAN MEDIA AND INFLUENCERS.
(5) INCLUDE SENIOR FLAG LEADERSHIP AMONG ALL ECHELONS OF COMMAND AND RANKS OF PERSONNEL.
B. KEY TASKS:
(1) FIRST AND FOREMOST, EDUCATE AMERICANS ABOUT THE MARITIME STRATEGY.
(2) HIGHLIGHT THE COURAGEOUS AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF OUR PERSONNEL. DEMONSTRATE NAVY CAPABILITIES USING THE BLUE ANGELS, TACTICAL DEMONSTRATIONS, LEAP FROGS, NAVY BANDS, AND MYRIAD RECRUITING ASSETS AMONG OTHERS.
(3) CONSIDER SPECIFIC RECRUITING NEEDS, BUT FOCUS BROADLY ON EDUCATING AND
INFORMING THE U.S. PUBLIC AT LARGE.
(4) DIVERSITY THEMES SHALL BE KEY IN OUR MESSAGE.
(5) EMPHASIZE SHIPS' NAMESAKE CONNECTIONS, SAILORS' HOMETOWN TIES, CULTURAL
UNIQUENESS AND INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS AS WELL AS OTHER LOCAL MARKET UNIQUENESS.
C. NAVY WEEK EMPHASIS: CNO IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE NAVY WEEK PROGRAM.
NAVY WEEKS, OUR FLAGSHIP MIDDLE-AMERICA OUTREACH ACTIVITY IS LED BY CHINFO'S
NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH (NAVCO) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NAVY RECRUITING
DISTRICTS. CNO HAS ASKED MORE SENIOR FLAG LEADERSHIP TO ENGAGE. ACCORDINGLY,
THIS EFFORT WILL REQUIRE INCREASED SUPPORT FROM THE FLEET IN TERMS OF LEADERS
TO SEA VISITS (SUB, SURFACE, AND CARRIER) AND EXPANDED HOMETOWN NEWS COVERAGE
FROM FORWARD DEPLOYED SHIPS AND UNITS, AS WELL AS INCREASED NAMESAKE SHIP VISITS TO NAVY WEEK CITIES. NAVY WEEK RELATIONSHIPS WILL PROVIDE INCREASINGLY STEADY-STATE AND CONSISTENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE NAVY WEEK 2009 PROGRAM EMBRACES THE EXPEDITIONARY MINDSET, WITH NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF THE NAVY WEEK SCHEDULE BEING IN FIRST-EVER NAVY WEEK LOCATIONS. ALL WILL EMPHASIZE KEY THEMES SUCH AS MARITIME STRATEGY, SELFLESS SERVICE, AND DIVERSITY.
3. LARGE-SCALE OUTREACH EVENTS ARE SCHEDULED AS FOLLOWS (READ IN FOUR COLUMNS):
CITY EVENT DATE (NOTES)
PHOENIX, AZ LEAP FROGS JUMP MAR 7-14 (6)
PHOENIX, AZ SEAL FITNESS CHALLENGE MAR 14 (11)
NAF EL CENTRO, CA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAR 14 (9)
PUNTA GORDA, FL BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAR 21-22 (9)
LAS VEGAS, NV NATL SOCIETY OF BLACK MAR 25-29 (7) ENGINEERS (NSBE)
TYNDALL AFB, FL BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAR 28-29 (9)
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA LEAP FROGS JUMP MAR 31-APR 2 (6)
TUSCALOOSA, AL BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW APR 4-5 (9)
PHILADELPHIA, PA LEAP FROGS JUMP APR 6-10 (6)
NAS CORPUS CHRISTI, TX BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW APR 18-19 (9)
DES MOINES, IA NAVY WEEK APR 20-26 (1)
ST. LOUIS, MO NAVY WEEK APR 20-27 (1,6,7)
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB, NC BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW APR 25-26 (9)
PORT EVERGLADES, FL FLEET WEEK APR 27-MAY 2 (2)
SAN DIEGO, CA ASSN OF NAVAL SVCS OFFICERS APR 28-MAY 2 (7) (ANSO)
NEW ORLEANS, LA LEAP FROGS JUMP APR 30-MAY 3 (6)
CHARLESTON, SC USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103) APR 25 (8) COMMISSIONING
NAS NEW ORLEANS, LA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAY 2-3 (9)
DALLAS, TX LEAP FROGS JUMP MAY 4-9 (6)
DENVER, CO NAVY WEEK MAY 4-10 (1)
DALLAS, TX SEAL FITNESS CHALLENGE MAY 9 (11)
SPOKANE, WA NAVY WEEK MAY 11-18 (1)
HOUSTON, TX FED ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN MAY 11-15 (7) COUNCIL (FAPAC)
BALTIMORE, MD LEAP FROGS JUMP MAY 15-16 (6)
MCAS BEAUFORT, SC BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAY 16-17 (9)
NEW YORK CITY, NY FLEET WEEK MAY 19-27 (3)
ANNAPOLIS, MD BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAY 20 and 22 (9)
PAX RIVER, MD BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAY 23-24 (9)
JANESVILLE, WI NAVY WEEK MAY 24-31 (1)
ROCHESTER, NY NAVY WEEK MAY 25-31 (1,6)
JANESVILLE, WI BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW MAY 30-31 (9)
TBD USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2) JUN (8) COMMISSIONING
SAN DIEGO, CA SOC OF AM INDIAN GOVT JUN 1-5 (7) EMPLOYEES (SAIGE)
CHATTANOOGA, TN NAVY WEEK JUN 5-13 (1)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUN 6-7 (9)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK NAVY WEEK JUN 12-20 (1)
DENVER, CO BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUN 13-14 (9)
PITTSBURGH, PA NAVY WEEK JUN 14-21 (1,6)
PITTSBURGH, PA LEAP FROGS JUMP JUN 15-21 (6)
WASHINGTON, DC WOMENS LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM JUN 18-19 (7) (SSLA)
PITTSBURGH, PA SEAL FITNESS CHALLENGE JUN 20 (11)
PITTSBURGH, PA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUN 20-21 (9)
GRAND FORKS, ND LEAP FROGS JUMP JUN 26-28 (6)
NORTH KINGSTON, RI BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUN 27-28 (9)
BOSTON, MA NAVY WEEK JUN 30-JUL 6 (1)
BINGHAMPTON, NY BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUL 4-5 (9)
DETROIT, MI BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUL 11-12 (9)
NEW YORK CITY, NY NAACP CONVENTION JUL 11-17 (7)
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA LEAP FROGS JUMP JUL 17-18 (6)
PENSACOLA, FL BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUL 18 (9)
HOUSTON, TX NAT'L NAVAL OFF ASS'N CONF JUL 20-24 (7) (NNOA)
SIOUX FALLS, SD BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW JUL 25-26 (9)
SEATTLE, WA SEAFAIR JUL 25-AUG 2 (7)
SEATTLE, WA LEAP FROGS JUMP JUL 31-AUG 2 (6)
SEATTLE, WA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW AUG 1-2 (9)
SALINAS, CA NAVY WEEK AUG 2-9 (1)
SEATTLE, WA LEAP FROGS JUMP AUG 3-9 (6)
SEATTLE, WA SEAL FITNESS CHALLENGE AUG 8 (11)
SALINAS, CA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW AUG 8-9 (9)
CHICAGO, IL LEAP FROGS JUMP AUG 13-16 (6)
SAN DIEGO, CA LEAP FROGS JUMP AUG 15 (6)
FARGO, ND BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW AUG 22-23 (9)
OMAHA, NE NAVY WEEK AUG 23-30 (1)
OFFUTT AFB, OMAHA NE BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW AUG 29-30 (9)
COLUMBUS, OHIO NAVY WEEK AUG 31-SEP 6 (1,6)
SAN DIEGO, CA USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) SEP (8) COMMISSIONING
NEW YORK, NY USS NEW YORK (LPD 21) SEP (8) COMMISSIONING
TBD USS DEWEY (DDG 105) SEP (8) COMMISSIONING
KNOXVILLE, TN NAVY WEEK SEP 1-7 (1)
YORK, PA NAVY WEEK SEP 4-13 (1)
TORONTO, CANADA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW SEP 5-6 (9)
NAS FALLON, NV BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW SEP 11 (9)
DETROIT, MI LEAP FROGS JUMP SEP 13-20 (6)
RENO, NV NAVY WEEK SEP 14-20 (1)
RENO, NV BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW SEP 19-20 (9)
DETROIT, MI SEAL FITNESS CHALLENGE SEP 19 (11)
REDDING, CA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW SEP 26-27 (9)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA FLEET WEEK OCT (5)
SAN DIEGO, CA FLEET WEEK OCT (5)
PHILADELPHIA, PA USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108) OCT (8) COMMISSIONING
MCAS MIRAMAR, CA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW OCT 2-4 (9)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM NAVY WEEK OCT 3-11 (1,7)
GREENVILLE, SC NAVY WEEK OCT 5-11 (1)
HAMPTON, VA FLEET WEEK OCT 7-13 (3)
KAILUA KONA, HI LEAP FROGS JUMP OCT 7-12 (6)
LONG BEACH, CA HISPANIC ENG NAT'L ACH AWARDS OCT 8-11 (7) (HENAAC)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW OCT 10-11 (9)
OAHU ISLAND, HI LEAP FROGS JUMP OCT 13-15 (6)
LONG BEACH, CA SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENG'RS CONF OCT 15-17 (7) (SWE)
KANEOHE, HI LEAP FROGS JUMP OCT 16-18 (6)
NAS OCEANA, VA BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW OCT 17-18 (9)
FT. WORTH, TX BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW OCT 24-25 (9)
HOUSTON, TX NAVY WEEK OCT 24-NOV 1 (1)
KITTERY, ME USS NEW HAMPSHIRE (SSN 778) OCT 25 (8) COMMISSIONING
WASHINGTON, DC SOC OF HISPANIC PROF ENG'RS OCT 28-NOV 1 (7) (SHPE)
LAS VEGAS, NV SOC OF MEXICAN AM ENGRS AND OCT 29-31 (7) SCTS (MAES)
HOUSTON, TX BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW OCT 31-NOV 1 (9)
FT. PIERCE, FL LEAP FROGS JUMP NOV 6-7 (6)
JACKSONVILLE, FL BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW NOV 7-8 (9)
NAS PENSACOLA, FL BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW NOV 14-15 (9)
NEW ORLEANS, LA NAVY WEEK NOV (1,7)
PHILADELPHIA, PA LEAP FROGS JUMP DEC 12 (6)
4. NOTES. CALENDAR EVENTS ARE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF REFINEMENT. SOME MAY CHANGE AS WE MOVE THROUGH 2009. ADDITIONAL STAKEHOLDER LARGE-SCALE EVENTS NOT YET SCHEDULED AND/OR CONFIRMED (SUCH AS TACDEMO PERFORMANCES) WILL BE PUBLISHED BY THOSE SPECIFIC SPONSORING STAKEHOLDERS SEPCOR. MODIFICATIONS TO INFO IN PARA (3) WILL BE NOTED AT WWW.NAVY.MIL/NAVCO. CONTACT COGNIZANT STAKEHOLDERS FOR SMALLER-SCALE EVENTS AND DETAILS. LEAD ACTION OFFICES FOR THE EVENTS ABOVE IN PARA (3) ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(1) NAVY WEEK, NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH, (901) 874-xxxx.
(2) FLEET WEEK, COMMANDER, NAVY REGION SOUTHEAST, (904) 542-xxxx.
(3) FLEET WEEK, COMMANDER, NAVY REGION MID-ATLANTIC, (757) 322-xxxx.
(4) FLEET WEEK, COMMANDER, NAVY REGION NORTHWEST, (360) 396-xxxx.
(5) FLEET WEEK, COMMANDER, NAVY REGION SOUTHWEST, (619) 532-xxxx.
(6) NAVY PARACHUTE TEAM (LEAP FROGS), (619) 206-xxxx.
(7) CNP DIVERSITY (N134), (703) 695-0820.
(8) SHIP OR SUBMARINE COMMISSIONING, COMMANDER, NAVAL SURFACE FORCES, (619) 437-xxxx, OR COMMANDER, SUBMARINE FORCE, U.S. ATLANTIC FLEET,(757) 836-xxxx.
(9) BLUE ANGELS AIR SHOW, (850) 452-xxxx.
(10) NAVAL TACTICAL AVIATION DEMONSTRATIONS (TACDEMO), (619) 545-xxxx.
(11) SEAL FITNESS CHALLENGE, NAVY RECRUITING COMMAND, (901) 874-xxxx.
5. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CFA 2009, CONTACT CDR RICK xxxxx AT THE NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH, RICHARD.xxxx@NAVY.MIL, 901-874-xxxx (DSN 882) OR VISIT WWW.NAVY.MIL/NAVCO.
6. RELEASED BY VICE ADMIRAL J. C. HARVEY JR., DIRECTOR, NAVY STAFF.

....and the only group that we don't thinks needs to be treated with insulting paternalism is .....

Hat tip LBG.

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