tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post6618218777240083308..comments2024-01-03T05:18:54.650-05:00Comments on CDR Salamander: A voice from the Annapolis Underground ...CDR Salamanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981221786954902349noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-20252358939678258852010-05-28T03:33:59.000-04:002010-05-28T03:33:59.000-04:00Although I usually find little to agree with the C...Although I usually find little to agree with the CDR about ... I believe this situation can be laYED DIRECTLY AT VAdm fowler and his reign ... while there have been a few notable accomplishments with which I agree, there have been far to many which exhibited the fact that -virtually from the outset- he far exceded his level of incompetence ... the feeding fiasco, the retention of a misfit, incompetent Commandant [and it has nothing to do with the fact of her sex ... for all my mysoginous, racist, homophobic, and/or antisemitic brethern out there], the flip-flopping, caving to the far-right evangelical "amerikan taliban" and gutless refusal to respond to critism concerning the ignoring of his oath in the color guard-chapel altar situation, the marcus curry affair, even the Herndon climb dictate and ridiculous statement concerning it, etc., etc. His reign is over ... good ridence ... hopefully, those responsible for the appointment of the new Sup took foler's shotcomings and outright failures into account and chose someone with the cajones to fix things rather than destroy them ... considering those who appointed fowler and those who've selectedLeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-26658651261320541562010-05-25T16:31:35.000-04:002010-05-25T16:31:35.000-04:00I meant axes...not axises...maybe USNA needs to bu...I meant axes...not axises...maybe USNA needs to buff up their spelling...endernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-42766684291987513302010-05-25T12:18:23.000-04:002010-05-25T12:18:23.000-04:00The funny thing is that every couple of years this...The funny thing is that every couple of years this argument comes back around. Same passion and same excellent points. What is easy to lose sight of is that this is a pendulum with mutiple axises. It swings from praise to shame within each Academy, but it also moves between Service Academies. Remember just a year or two ago when USAFA was in the spotlight for religious persecution and other issues? Now the eyes shift to USNA. It is part of the check-and-balances requried to keep the Academies as pure as possible.<br /><br />Altough I won't get in the mud and wrestle over this, I will point out that there was a reason we called the Washington Post "The Enemy" while at USNA. We are supposed to deal with these problems internally. The fact that we can't and that mids are posting to blogs make me sad for the Navy and our society first, and then USNA second.<br /><br />However, I really can't get fired up over this. Why? Just like every Enlisted Sailor I serve/served with, you can't BS the mids. They see right through the garbage and will fix these errors as they grow. It is really like the free market in that respect. Yes, you need some regulation, but when it doubt, trust in the mids and sit on your hands. Men of questionable character and leadership will take the con from time to time, but their impact only changes superficialities. The core is still the intensity of USNA where, as my detailers said, and I said/say, "Every person will find their challenge at USNA that forces them to face the mirror and ask if they can really do it." endernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-25355583893880087552010-05-25T00:02:00.000-04:002010-05-25T00:02:00.000-04:00Have a nice night. Have a nice night. cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-7340897688141396332010-05-24T22:57:06.000-04:002010-05-24T22:57:06.000-04:00There remain some of us - taxpayers and no longer ...There remain some of us - taxpayers and no longer in uniform - that believe the whole zoo on the Severn would be better off shuttered in the interest of cost and integrity. NROTC is a fine, and produces officers - seedcorn - just as good, and maybe better as they don't have the baggage of living & learning in an unrealistic hide-the-truth environment. Perhaps that explains much of what's really wrong in the Navy...Start with dropping football, fire the leadership, and shut 'er down in 3 or 4 years. Sorry alums, and new grads.DM05noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-39928927973967839762010-05-24T21:46:26.000-04:002010-05-24T21:46:26.000-04:00BTW: Points 1-5 contained the word "I", ...BTW: Points 1-5 contained the word "I", it would seem the post was about you.Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-52343195454995092342010-05-24T21:37:35.000-04:002010-05-24T21:37:35.000-04:00Oh, I get it. It's about me. I forgot.Oh, I get it. It's about me. I forgot.cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-61565529296359104092010-05-24T21:26:19.000-04:002010-05-24T21:26:19.000-04:00<span>You have every right to express your o...<span>You have every right to express your opinions, and you have every right to set the example you see fit for Midshipmen as well as military members. </span><br /><br /><span>I just hope that Midshipmen reading this don't get the idea that nameless internet posts are the place to express their opinions about leadership. Good leaders seek dissent from followers, and good followers express their dissenting opinions to leaders in private, and give a cheery aye aye in public, or leave. The military doesn't cope with public insubordination well. You're entitled to your opinions, don't think I'm saying you're not. You don't have to justify why you're speaking out, or the legitimacy of doing so, but you should be cognizant of the manner in which you do it when you're utilizing your rank to add credibility. </span><br /><br /><span>BTW: I don't recall Sims, Mitchell, or Connolly writing anonymous letters criticizing then men in the arena, but perhaps you can enlighten me.</span>Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-55064031664215465572010-05-24T20:43:05.000-04:002010-05-24T20:43:05.000-04:00Same answer. YouSame answer. YouMaryRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-5910121275939008732010-05-24T20:22:31.000-04:002010-05-24T20:22:31.000-04:00Insulting would be insinuating or claiming somethi...Insulting would be insinuating or claiming something true that was not, and otherwise falsely impugning character. <br /><br />I would have relieved them. All of them involved in the Color Guard incident, and those who approved Curry staying after a drug pop and a tall tale about blunt cigars. Integrity, judgment, command climate all irrevocably compromised. <br /><br />They can find out who I am if the care to. By the way, what nationality is NFO? And how did your parents come to name you "Combat"?UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-26104330838876082812010-05-24T20:07:15.000-04:002010-05-24T20:07:15.000-04:001. I am a citizen of a Representative Republic ba...1. I am a citizen of a Representative Republic based in individual liberty and freedom.<br />2. I am retired.<br />3. Even when I was on AD, I did not wear jackboots and/or leave my mind behind.<br />4. The only time I 100% owe a Flag Officer my unwavering obedience and concurrence is when I have been given a lawful order, the door is open, and I have to brief my Sailors. <br />5. Sunk ships, cemeteries, and mass graves are full of unidentified bodies because officers - AD and retired - never questioned authority. Sims, Mitchell, Connolly, - no - I am happy with the examples I follow.cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-69137390871656692602010-05-24T19:53:56.000-04:002010-05-24T19:53:56.000-04:00I apologize. Let me rephrase. When your position ...I apologize. Let me rephrase. When your position of publicly insulting USNA leadership is indefensible, you take to insulting other people personally. If you're going to use your rank, you should have the courage to use your whole name.Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-50848710213070838922010-05-24T19:16:29.000-04:002010-05-24T19:16:29.000-04:00You seem to think I have doubt.You seem to think I have doubt.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-40461660689718982292010-05-24T18:04:42.000-04:002010-05-24T18:04:42.000-04:00<span>"You use the term "courage&q...<span>"You use the term "courage" as if you think you know what it means. You oughtn't do that."</span><br /><br />-When in doubt, just attack me personally.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-85385933808269229112010-05-24T17:58:13.000-04:002010-05-24T17:58:13.000-04:00Combat,
You use the term "courage" as i...Combat,<br /><br />You use the term "courage" as if you think you know what it means. You oughtn't do that.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-20774693045283274762010-05-24T17:19:52.000-04:002010-05-24T17:19:52.000-04:00"<span>Yes it is hard to lead. Which i..."<span>Yes it is hard to lead. Which is why I expect more from them."</span><br />-Now that's good comedy.Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-56798850885656071392010-05-24T17:16:57.000-04:002010-05-24T17:16:57.000-04:00If the Mid that wrote that letter loved USNA he wo...If the Mid that wrote that letter loved USNA he wouldn't have written a nameless condemnation of USNA's leadership. You haven't hurt me, I'm well aware of the many issues at USNA _AND_ the other service academies.<br /><br />I don't ask you to ignore the issues, I only ask you not to feed the contempt or as Regis termed it "disgust". O-5's ought not publicly express "disgust" for Flag Officers, or encourage others to do so. It's not only poor leadership for the many Midshipmen and Cadets that read this blog, it's poor follower-ship.<br /><br />I'd have much more respect for you if you wrote articles in Proceedings while you were on Active Duty. That would have been courageous.<br /><br /><span>Take heed what you say of your seniors, <br />Be your words spoken softly or plain, <br />Let a bird of the air tell the matter, <br />And so shall ye hear it again. </span>Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-33127863113932308802010-05-24T17:08:43.000-04:002010-05-24T17:08:43.000-04:00CNFO,
Don't lecture about leading. Yes it i...CNFO,<br /><br />Don't lecture about leading. Yes it is hard to lead. Which is why I expect more from them. The Color Guard incident and the dual track admissions and academic standards and the lack of forthrightness in dealing with them, capped by the shameful Curry incident tells me Fowler and the Commandant aren't leading at all. I would fire a company/battery commander for displaying that kind of lousy leadership. Because a leader willing to do those things isn't to be trusted. <br /><br />I expect better from a Vice Admiral and Navy Captain. And am not terribly concerned with what you think you should expect or why. From your constant trolling and your bizarre reasoning, you seem pretty light on credentials.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-36311152708777946182010-05-24T16:55:40.000-04:002010-05-24T16:55:40.000-04:00Did a fair job of dragging you off topic, DB.
Pig...Did a fair job of dragging you off topic, DB.<br /><br />Pig.Mud.Byronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-92060006019872266152010-05-24T16:53:55.000-04:002010-05-24T16:53:55.000-04:00CN,
You need to clear your eyes and see. Those I ...CN,<br />You need to clear your eyes and see. Those I talk to not only love the Navy, they love USNA ... and they are upset on what is being done to it. I would also offer that you look click the Midrats link on the upper right hand of this page. Look at the 2 hours we spent talking about Annapolis with both Professors and MIDN/Alumni. Listen to them.<br /><br />No, we cover both sides here. If you want one side of the issue, USNA has a very good, very professional, very nice, and very easy to work with PAO. A blog is about talking about the pointy bits. If they hurt you, I am sorry - but they are real and they exist. Organizations do not get better by ignoring poor performance or bad decisions. They get worse.<br /><br />When you care about something, you correct it when it is wrong. To ignore it is cowardice and contempt. I always counsel NROTC or OCS - but that is my bias. One thing I do not have though is contempt towards USNA. If I did - I would never post anything about it here.cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-43479735705922379302010-05-24T16:31:18.000-04:002010-05-24T16:31:18.000-04:00Maybe this venerable institution still respects it...Maybe <a href="http://www.usafa.edu/isme/JSCOPE00/Starz00.html" rel="nofollow">this venerable institution </a>still respects its honor code. Perhaps you've heard of it? (How sad if USNA would no longer compete in this arena with its archrival.)<br /><br />Tell me where I lied. DeltaBravonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-15508565755256599122010-05-24T16:25:07.000-04:002010-05-24T16:25:07.000-04:00CDR, I agree with you. I don't believe it'...CDR, I agree with you. I don't believe it's about money at all. USNA will never escape those that want to snipe. I disagree with many of the decisions of the current administration. I disagreed with many of the leadership decisions while I was there. The bottom line is that it will never be perfect. The positive far outweighs the negative, and the continual negative coverage does much more harm than good. How many positive articles have your run, how many negative? Any mention of Ken Hamm USNA'87, or Steve Bowen USNA '86 this week?<br /><br />There are roughly 4,000 midshipmen there, and people want to say USNA is "falling down drunk" because of the actions of less than 1% of the population, and use the Naval Academy as a proxy to express contempt for fleet wide leadership issues. I'm sorry, but I don't accept this and I expect better from those that go by Commander or Lieutenant Colonel in public. It's easy to tear down, it's much harder to lead.Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-65422111115759548542010-05-24T16:10:48.000-04:002010-05-24T16:10:48.000-04:00CN,
This isn't about money. This is about the...CN,<br />This isn't about money. This is about the leadership and stewardship of an institution.<br /><br />FWIW - in the last couple of months I have had one-on-one conversations with over a half dozen serving MIDN somewhere in the neighborhood north of six hours.<br /><br />The problem is not the MIDN. Just the opposite. These young men and women are outstanding individuals. <br /><br />Instead of blindly defending the institution - focus instead of the people and ideas it is supposed to represent. That is what is important. All else is decoration.cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-8942238366302685652010-05-24T16:10:16.000-04:002010-05-24T16:10:16.000-04:00This appears to represent your disgust/disdain wit...This appears to represent your disgust/disdain with the entire institution.Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-27521619333027423352010-05-24T16:06:57.000-04:002010-05-24T16:06:57.000-04:00I don't need to impugn your integrity. You lie...I don't need to impugn your integrity. You lie while condemning the integrity of others. You compromise your integrity while demonstrating hypocrisy. I'm impressed. So when you said (and I quote), "<span>Now I shall go back to ignoring you." were you lying?</span><br /><br />What "HONOR CODE", and/or Service Academy were you talking about? I assumed you were talking about USNA and the USNA Honor Concept. Perhaps I was wrong? Please feel free to correct me with the correct Service Academy and Honor System you were referencing.Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.com