The great motivators

Often lost in the huggly-snuggly shore-duty fonctionnaires who seem to dominate some areas of discussions about leadership - fear and shame are great motivators.

In that light - I have a great news story for you - and bully to NAVSEA.

The Navy has suspended the oversight authority of the local command responsible for supervising ship repairs done by private contractors.

The command, called Norfolk Ship Support Activity, has headquarters at Norfolk Naval Station. Staffed by both sailors and civilians, it oversees all maintenance work done by private companies on Navy surface ships in the mid-Atlantic region.

By suspending the command's oversight authority - formally known as its "technical warrant" - the Navy essentially is saying it no longer trusts Norfolk Ship Support Activity to make sure work by contractors is being done properly.

That NEVER looks good on a FITREP.

With some other things going on in the background - take this as good news. Next thing you know we'll be doing REFTRA in Gitmo old-school.

OK. Maybe not - but perhaps they will make INSURV UNCLAS again so we can all share and learn. Maybe next FY. Maybe.

The Libyan Ground Phase Starts

The first step has been taken towards what I was warning about.

In the wake of a plea for help from besieged rebels in the Libyan city of Misurata, three Western powers have announced that they will send military advisors and one said Wednesday that it would step up airstrikes against Moammar Kadafi's military.

Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa said 10 military instructors would be sent and details were being worked out. He spoke Wednesday after meeting with his British counterpart, Liam Fox.

France and Britain had announced earlier that they would send military officers to Libya to help rebel forces organize and bolster the NATO air campaign that has failed to rout Kadafi's military.

... and so it starts. If that does not work - then what? When the first GBR/FRA/ITA officer is hanging from a lamp post or is emptying his last magazine against a crowd of civilians so he can make it to the helicopter that is trying to evacuate him out before the fall - then what?

If it does work - do those nations now share responsibility for the tribal bloodshed that may and probably will take place when the rebels take Gadaffi's tribal and governmental strongholds? When they capture his sub-Saharan mercenaries?

Over at USNIBlog, exactly a month ago I saw this,

... (Libya) seems strangely like a mix of the immediate aftermath of DESERT STORM’s Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, DESERT FOX, with a whiff of the Suez Crisis thrown in ...

One good thing President Obama and SECDEF Gates have done is to continue to do their best to make this Europe's fight and keeping us out of this. If Europe want to bleed in Libyan sand, let them - but keep us out of it. If they break it - they buy it.

One thing that bothers me is that because there has never been a clear plan or Commander's Intent - this conflict is drifting toward two equally bad outcomes. First a stalemate and simmering civil war, or Gadaffi manages to win. Either case is a disaster. No trend lines point to the rebels gaining the upper hand under the present ROE. As those are the two drift lines, soon someone is going to say the obvious; "Let's finish this like we should have started this - full ground invasion and regime change."

That isn't where I wanted to go - or anyone else for that matter at the start of all this. However, a poorly executed war creates new realities that are often worse than the reality at the start. See WWI. As truth changes, you have to change your response to the truth. I'm not there yet - but the truth may change that the only place to go is to ground invasion and regime change in order to avoid a worse tragedy. That will be totally unnecessary and avoidable - but may be inevitable. Why? Because there has never been clear, decisive leadership and vision informed by history. Unless something drastic changes - like Gadaffi becomes pink mist soon - the trend lines are leading to Suez - a crisis turned tragedy.

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UPDATE: As reported by LT B in comments - this is such a loss for everyone.

An American photojournalist was killed and another seriously injured in Libya Wednesday while covering battles between Muammar al-Qaddafi's forces and anti-government rebels, according to several reports.

Tim Hetherington -- who was nominated for an Oscar this year with co-director Sebastian Junger for "Restrepo," a documentary about U.S. troops in Afghanistan -- was reportedly killed in the volatile city of Misrata.

He did so much for those who have served in AFG. What a loss.

Pinochet - the best they could do

It has been awhile since I've posted about the Left's least favorite South American dictator. Of course, we know why they hate him the most - he prevented another Cuba.

They hate him for another reason - he makes the Leftist dictators look bad. Pinochet returned Chile to civilian rule with almost no bloodshed. He left them with a functioning and relatively intact rule of law. His crowning achievement though was the Chicago School economy he gave to his countrymen.

The Chilean nation knows this - and they are going to stick with it.

Chile is the first nation whose return to democracy was based on economic freedom. On global economic freedom rankings, Chile stands near the top — in part because its public employees can't run up debt or corrupt the political process.

The existing constitution makes Chile a full right-to-work country and expressly prohibits government collective bargaining and public employee strikes.

The idea is to prevent the ugly anti-democratic dynamic — now seen in Wisconsin and elsewhere — of public employee unions extorting concessions from politicians in exchange for campaign support.

Under that system, taxpayers foot the bill. The team of Milton Friedman-influenced economists known as "The Chicago Boys" understood this dynamic well and its potential for cutting into economic freedom.

Labor and Social Security Minister Jose Pinera, who wrote the right-to-work proviso, knew that if public employee unions could get their hooks into the federal government, it would be a fiscal and economic disaster.

Chile posted 7% GDP growth in the last quarter, on par with recent trends. Per capita income is now $17,000, 10 times what it was in 1980, and its successful social security system is now private.

Chile's vote shows it has no desire to follow in the footsteps of bankrupt U.S. states like California and Illinois. It's good to see a nation that still knows how to grow.

Maybe after our economy pulls a Greece and implodes after an orgy of mindless, narcissistic spending we can hire come Chilean economists and political advisers. I'm game.

Back to the Old General. No, Pinochet was no saint. He was a nasty piece of work - but he lived at a nasty time in a nasty part of the world that sometimes needed a little nasty to prevent a tragedy. He love his country more than himself. He was a good friend to the British when they had few others in South America during the Falkland Islands War. When you compare what his regime did compared to others around that continent of wasted potential, an objective mind may perhaps give the guy a little nod.

When the list of 20th Century dictators are racked-and-stacked, Pinochet will in time be seen for what he was; the best of bad options for a nation on the brink. Anyway, who is doing better right now, a Chilean born in 1973 or a Cuban born in 1959?

Hat tip Capt'n Ed.

To promote conversation here ....

Posted without comment. Positions please.

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To promote conversations about gendered issues at USNA

The Yard-Wide Diversity Committee

&

Annual Gender Matters Program

Invite you to attend a screening of the film

Out of Annapolis

Produced and Directed by CDR Steve Clark Hall ’75, USN (Ret)

The film screening will be followed by a brief post-film discussion

Out of Annapolis is a documentary that presents real stories of gay and lesbian alumni who attended USNA in two eras: the 1970s - 80s prior to DADT, and the 1990s during DADT. Their enduring respect for the military and appreciation of their instruction at USNA is clear as these individuals relate their experiences as Midshipmen and officers of the Navy and Marine Corps, allowing audiences to see past the stereotypes of homosexuals in the military and begin to understand the sacrifices these dedicated officers have made for the country. As the nation prepares to lift DADT, Out of Annapolis plays a compelling role in educating the public to appreciate, rather than fear, the upcoming changes to our military policies.

Following the 90 minute film, the sponsors will moderate a brief open mic discussion amongst the audience, Steve Clark Hall, and other USNA alumni featured in the film.

This performance is closed to the public, but all Midshipmen, faculty, officers, and staff are invited to attend.

While the film does extend into study hour, Midshipmen are permitted to attend the entire event.

When: Monday, April 25 at 1915

Where: Mahan Theatre

Hat tip Annapolis Underground.

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UPDATE: Based on a couple of emails I have received, perhaps a review is in order - and I need to comment.

All the regulars know that I was an early supporter of DADT repeal. Good people can disagree, but the decision has been made, so there really isn't going back. I don't have a problem with them showing this film, as long as it is tasteful and voluntary - which by all indications it is.

There is one problem here, and one I warned people on both sides about from the start. There has been a major mistake here by Steve Clark Hall and those who fully support homosexuals serving. They are allowing the Diversity Industry to get their claws into them. This is a huge mistake, because the Diversity Industry makes its money by division and strife - not unity. The Diversity Industry feeds on grievance and generated conflict. They are divisive, retrograde, and are an anathema to free discussion and open minds.

There is one reason that I would tell people on the fence not to see this movie. Look who is sponsoring it. The moral vampires of the Diversity Commissariat are pushing this. Those who support equal treatment and inclusion of open homosexuals at USNA and elsewhere should avoid supporting anything pushed by the Diversity Bullies.

Homosexual service members, I am talking to you. Once you let them put their stamp on you - you have effectively lost your argument. You don't want to be accepted in the Navy - you want to be a part of the Navy. There is a very big difference, and you will get nothing from contempt from me.

Steve Clark Hall - if I knew you I would have given you some advice about finding other sponsors, ones who would show your desire, I assume, for inclusion. With the sponsors you have though - you have hitched your wagon to division, and that is unfortunate.

A final note - if the members of The Yard-Wide Diversity Committee take this personally, that is fine with me. You are part of the problem, no the solution. Send me an email if you want to discuss.

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UPDATE II - Electric Boogaloo: To put some light on the subject. Here is the trailer. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact the background music blows. Wait ... can I say that? I mean, come on ... not THAT way. Seriously, the music is just ... awwww ... h311, just watch the d@mn trailer.

McChrystal at repose

After what happened to Fox Fallon - I never will understand someone with 4-stars giving such open access to a reporter. The results were predictable, but in the end at least McChrystal can relax and let history speak to the injustice done to his professional record and his reputation.

A Pentagon inquiry into last summer's Rolling Stone profile "The Runaway General" that led to the sacking of then-top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal has found "no proof of wrongdoing" by the general or his military and civilian advisers, and disputed several incidents and comments reported in the article (NYT, AFP, Tel, Guardian). Read the inspector general's report here (pdf) and Rolling Stone's response here.

A reporter is never your friend - engage them, but never forget that for those who have a paycheck involved - you are a mark.

I never had a beef with McChrystal - however I also still say the CINC did not have much of a choice in this matter.

Let this be a lesson; truth that comes late can do you little good. Watch who you are talking to, know who they work for, know their world-view - act accordingly.

Sad all the way around. Do I need to add - really - that all of this was for Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone for frack's sake. One step over from Tiger Beat.

Stackley goes Salamander

I would love to see, ahem, the details of which billets are going where. More interesting is to know where they are shifting billets from - but one way or another, this is good news.

“Ten to 15 years of downsizing has thinned our professional corps and we need to reverse that decline,” Stackley said. That includes deckplate-level inspectors working for the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, program managers, contract wranglers, test and evaluations professionals, and so on. For the past several years, the Navy has struggled with accepting warships that needed expensive re-work after entering the fleet, or which sailed late or over-budget because of quality problems. Just this week, you read here on Buzz about how manufacturing problems caused hull cracks aboard the littoral combat ship USS Freedom.

According to information provided Friday by Navy spokeswoman Capt. Cate Mueller, the goal is to increase the Navy’s acquisition workforce across the board by about 16 percent, or more than 6,000 people, over the next five years. Most of those people will be government employees, either service members or full-time Navy Department workers.

Yes. Back to basics - give the good folks at SUPSHIPS what they need - and please let's be smart about what the billets will be.

On, shall I be a jerk? Why not.

Who, ahem; made the decisions to cut all those positions, why did they make that decision, what informed that decision, why was that determined to be a bad decision, what lessons have we learned from it, and who will be held accountable?

We know some of those answers already, don't we? That gives you some of your answers.

Until we are honest and open about our mistakes, future leaders will repeat them. That is part of leadership; man up to your mistakes so others won't have to.

There.

Unsexy disease - the 13XX Edition

From the "dull but important" bucket is this.

In fixed wing aviation, what is the least sexy from the perspective ... of ... well most everyone? Sure, CODs are always on a short list - but they do fly off the boat. No, this is simple: the P-3 community, or as they like to call themselves the "Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance" (MPR) community.

Inside that world are the ugly step-sisters - the VQ/VPU folks. Well, the surface guys know how the Command Ships and Replenishment Ships are treated.

So ....

U.S. lawmakers have been pushing the Navy and intelligence officials to explain their long-term plans for collecting airborne signals intelligence given the age of the Navy’s EP-3E aircraft and the decision to cancel development of a successor. Congress and a bevy of prospective contractors will have to wait a bit longer now that the service has been granted an extension to April to file a congressionally mandated report.

What is certain is that the Navy is proposing to retire four of its 16 EP-3 planes and two P-3-based Special Projects Aircraft in 2012, which the Navy says would eliminate 274 personnel positions. The proposed cuts were driven by “budget constraints and requirements to maintain a strong [antisubmarine warfare] capability,” said spokesman Joe Gradisher of the Navy’s intelligence and networking staff, known as N2/N6.

Navy watchers thought that by Feb. 1, they would have fresh clues about the Navy’s long-term plan for its SIGINT squadrons. As part of the congressionally mandated report, Congress wants top defense officials to certify that whichever direction the Navy decides to go, the service will provide “equivalent or superior” capabilities to those of EP-3Es and the secretive Special Projects planes.

Gradisher said the Pentagon will certify that it is “sustaining” the EP-3 and Special Projects Aircraft, which he said are “nearing the end of their service life,” and discuss a plan to replace them with a “family of systems” approach. Those who once hoped to build a replacement for the EP-3E, called the EP-X, are eager to learn details of the family of systems approach. In 2008, the Navy awarded small study contracts to Boeing, Lockheed Martin and a combined team of Northrop Grumman and L-3 Communications to start an EP-X competition. It stopped funding the research in 2010. The Navy’s eavesdropping collections are considered important because of the tactical information they provide to ground commanders, but also because the collections are fed to the National Security Agency and into the U.S. national intelligence system.

The Navy says it is not stonewalling when it comes to its SIGINT planning. “Discussions are going on right now about what we’re to do. We’re just trying to keep the P-3 platform flying,” said Doug Abbotts, a spokesman for the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft unit in Patuxent River, Md.

The logical plan is to go with a EP-8. Logic though has nothing to do with this.

The MPR community created an epic fail in the middle of last decade by playing in the ACS program - now it has punted on the EP-X?

But yea - there it is from last summer in SECDEF's statement to the Senate Appropriations Committee - Defense;

Building on the reforms of last year’s budget, the FY 2011 request takes additional steps aimed at programs that were excess or performing poorly. They include:
• Terminating the Navy EP(X) intelligence aircraft;

So. Years and tons of money spent on ACS for nothing. Years and tons of money spent on EP-X for nothing.

What is one of the primary things we are contributing to the conflict in Libya now? Electronic surveillance. OK.

In a world where we need more, not less, flexible, multi-mission, quick response intelligence assets what are we letting die on the vine? Electronic surveillance.

Good luck with that.

Some truths:
- You cannot do what an EP-3 does from BAMS. There isn't enough bandwidth in Christendom to do that. Doing it offsite is a huge impediment to the warfighter WRT his intel OODA loop.
- You cannot "Mission Module" the P-8A to do what and EP-8 could do. This is not plug and play.
- The services provided by a EP-X is known, scaleable, flexible and proven. Once you let this die, good luck getting it back.

The whole program for replacing the EP-3 has been a rolling train wreck almost a decade old now. Partially it is the VQ community's problem. Absorbed into the P-3 community and never real big in telling its story - it doesn't have enough friends.

Speaking of which, let's replay the second paragraph above.

What is certain is that the Navy is proposing to retire four of its 16 EP-3 planes and two P-3-based Special Projects Aircraft in 2012, which the Navy says would eliminate 274 personnel positions. The proposed cuts were driven by “budget constraints and requirements to maintain a strong [antisubmarine warfare] capability,” said spokesman Joe Gradisher of the Navy’s intelligence and networking staff, known as N2/N6.

As we've discussed here before - let's review. The number of aircraft per P-3 squadrons have decreased greatly over the last decade and a half due to attrition etc. One would think that they would consolidate squadrons then - wouldn't you? After all, that would save hundreds of billets. Well, of course not. Same number of squadrons, dramatically different number of tactically useful aircraft, dramatically lower pilot hours. I'll let you figure out why.

Enough of the manpower world - let's get back to programmatics. The Senate smells a rat - but doesn't seem to have an idea who to ask what hard questions.

In December, Congress gave the Navy a scolding of sorts when it said the service abandoned EP-X without “planning and budgeting for alternative means” to collect SIGINT for ground commanders and analysts in the national intelligence agencies.

The language was included in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Obama in January. The law requires the Defense Department to send a naval SIGINT report to Congress each year by Feb. 1 until “the fielding by the Navy of a platform or mix of platforms and sensors that are, in the aggregate, equivalent or superior to the EP-3E.”

The congressional language is becoming sterner but so far has stopped short of telling the Navy to start work on successors to the EP-3Es and Special Projects Aircraft. In a May report, the Senate Armed Services Committee said it did not “quarrel with the [EP-X] decision,” but said it was “concerned that the Navy shifted the EP-X outyear funds to other priorities and had no concrete plans for the future.”

To my friends toiling as Senate Staff folks - this is rather simple. Get a list of recently retired CDR/CAPT from VQ who do not presently hold a government or contractor job. Interview them. You will get all the hard questions you need.

Hat tip CA.