This comment is purely political -- Mandate the Navy name future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers after the original aircraft carriers that played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the United States Navy, rather than naming them after politicians.
Exactly! Eliminate the names Bush and Clinton from 82/83 - complete balderdash. You can add a plaque to CVN 77 for Bush the son, and Clinton - a non factor per the Navy and beyond absurd.
Secretary Salamander: a pragmatic firebrand—less about flashy headlines, more about ruthless efficiency and restoring a neglected warfighting edge, wielding existing resources like a cleaver, cutting fat to sharpen the spear, critical of complacency, laser-focused on readiness over rhetoric, with an eye fixed on China and the sea. If I'm SECNAV, what's not to like?
Perhaps the most important "Salamander" input: "Their X post about needing “deep-selects” for a hard reset reflects distrust in the current leadership culture—they’d shake up the brass." Shaking up the brass means changing the "incentive structure" for promotion selection. From "whatever it is now" to something that produces the type of leaders desired by the new leadership. Critical, and will take time.
N2 by itself is very stable. It becomes unhappy when you split it up and desperately wants to get back to its inert state. The conversion from all those nitrogen-rich compounds back to N2 happens quickly and releases a lot of light and heat…also known as BOOOOM!
I think the representation of minority / females should be kept .. diversity of thought is good and as long as there are no quotas, actual or perceived, it makes for a fair review.
Why would a member of a construction battalion need special clothing different from that worn by the USMC. Marines repair machines, sometimes under enemy fire. They have clothing suitable for the exact same tasks a SeaBee performs, why not equip them with that gear?
Marines have combat scuba divers. They do pretty much everything a SEAL does. They are taught and equipped by the Navy and given a Combatant Diver Course by the USN. If the Marines can use Navy gear when swimming, why can't the Navy use Marine gear while marching. Specwar folks should use USMC clothing and gear.
Bring back the badger hats! Cutlasses and boarding pikes optional but if the denizens of the Sandbox wish to act like they are living in the 7th century then we may as well oblige with those uniform accoutrements as well.
I am confident that our host would select a SECNAV based on the totality of their experiences and their character. I am bemused by the proclamations and positions coming from the various think tank glitterati when it comes to the particular nomination of Mr. Phelan. For all that our elite "betters" claim superior knowledge, those who have taken to criticizing exclusively on the basis of some skill set or prior military service are betting their credentials on an argument that is ahistorical. Only 33 of the previous 78 SECNAVs had any prior military experience. Of those, the first few were of the Founding generation and fought in the Revolution, one was a Army private in the War of 1812, one had service in the Confederacy. There was even one Gunners Mate out of the E-4 mafia. Then there was a significant set which had experience from WW2, which is unsurprising since anyone health of that generation was more likely than not to have served in some capacity. Of the majority of civilians who never served, most were either lawyers, industrialists, or politically connected
You're correct... I'm well aware and remember well McNamara's stint as SECDEF (as an interesting study during conflict). I have no persnal issue with someone with a civilian background and expertise. My question was aimed at our current Navy status and challenges (as reflected in numerous Salamander posts, including this one). Perhaps a politician or businessman would work very well under a SECDEF Sal... and then again, perhaps (given the expediency of getting us back on tract) he would prefer someone who understood what was needed for our maritime service. I'm not particularly impressed with the current cabinet, or it's grasp of our global maritime challenges.
Sounds excellent to me! :-) BTW...would you consider a retrospective on the tenure of my "first" (I went to work for the Navy in June 1981) and favorite SECNAV, The Honorable John F. Lehman, former A-6 driver? I think the newly-appointed SECNAV would have a lot to learn from him! :-)
where's the axolotl representation?
90% readiness? Yes.
*I need more strategic sealift to get the raccoon that lives in the barn to support you as a candidate.
This comment is purely political -- Mandate the Navy name future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers after the original aircraft carriers that played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the United States Navy, rather than naming them after politicians.
Exactly! Eliminate the names Bush and Clinton from 82/83 - complete balderdash. You can add a plaque to CVN 77 for Bush the son, and Clinton - a non factor per the Navy and beyond absurd.
If we are going to have 2 carriers with the same name then I vote for a second Roosevelt. At least both Roosevelts have a connection to the Navy.
Secretary Salamander: a pragmatic firebrand—less about flashy headlines, more about ruthless efficiency and restoring a neglected warfighting edge, wielding existing resources like a cleaver, cutting fat to sharpen the spear, critical of complacency, laser-focused on readiness over rhetoric, with an eye fixed on China and the sea. If I'm SECNAV, what's not to like?
Perhaps the most important "Salamander" input: "Their X post about needing “deep-selects” for a hard reset reflects distrust in the current leadership culture—they’d shake up the brass." Shaking up the brass means changing the "incentive structure" for promotion selection. From "whatever it is now" to something that produces the type of leaders desired by the new leadership. Critical, and will take time.
CL-20 - yikes. Briefly worked with that stuff 20 years ago and it was kinda scary. How much more nitrogen can you stick on an RDX molecule? YOLO!
Sounds…exciting. Are you familiar with the “Stuff I Won’t Work With” articles?
Perfect. I wish I could get a hard copy of all those articles. Sifting through years of his stuff is tedious.
Yes. Some of those are funny AF
Thanks for the info. Only read one article so far. Interesting---"energetic", indeed. And I always thought Nitrogen was supposed to be an "inert" gas.
N2 by itself is very stable. It becomes unhappy when you split it up and desperately wants to get back to its inert state. The conversion from all those nitrogen-rich compounds back to N2 happens quickly and releases a lot of light and heat…also known as BOOOOM!
First, reduce the number of flags by 50% starting with all the DEI hires and anyone who can’t pass a PT test.
Fire half of SES civilians too.
Recall Miley and reduce him in rank to an O3.
I do not understand why the superintendents of al five service academies have not been dismissed.
Eliminate woman and minority required members on boards.
Restore all CSA names. With malice toward none…….
I think the representation of minority / females should be kept .. diversity of thought is good and as long as there are no quotas, actual or perceived, it makes for a fair review.
I think he meant eliminate the quota, not all the current members
The left will always try to use quotas unless they are explicitly forbidden from doing so.
What about ME? Need trade and POL
Grok's got the Salamander figured out. We'd be swashbuckling in no time.
Letters of Marque anyone?
Reestablish uniform standards throughout the US Navy. Current "standards" are a joke.
- Reestablish the old Quarterdeck standards on every ship (except those in serious overhauls).
- Get rid of the NWUs (AKA "Seaweed Cammies), except for SeaBees and Specwar personnel.
- Ban flight suit wear on shore staffs. On that note, shore staffs should wear uniform of the day (no Seaweed Cammies, please!)
Etc. Plenty to peck away at in this department.
Why would a member of a construction battalion need special clothing different from that worn by the USMC. Marines repair machines, sometimes under enemy fire. They have clothing suitable for the exact same tasks a SeaBee performs, why not equip them with that gear?
Marines have combat scuba divers. They do pretty much everything a SEAL does. They are taught and equipped by the Navy and given a Combatant Diver Course by the USN. If the Marines can use Navy gear when swimming, why can't the Navy use Marine gear while marching. Specwar folks should use USMC clothing and gear.
Good point. No issue there from me.
cuz everybody wants their cool beret (army example for added insult)
Everybody should have their own hat. Esprit is important. Hats are inexpensive.
Bring back the badger hats! Cutlasses and boarding pikes optional but if the denizens of the Sandbox wish to act like they are living in the 7th century then we may as well oblige with those uniform accoutrements as well.
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/heritage/uniforms-and-personal-equipment/uniforms-1815/_jcr_content/body/image.img.jpg/1485283450692.jpg
All Hail 34 Knot Salamander!
I'm in favor of it. You'd be much better than the incumbent warming the seat now.
Make it so.
If you were selected SECDEF, I'd cheer and sleep much better at night knowing that we were in good hands.
Would SECDEF SAL have approved of or recommended selection of a SECNAV with no Navy (or military) experience?
I am confident that our host would select a SECNAV based on the totality of their experiences and their character. I am bemused by the proclamations and positions coming from the various think tank glitterati when it comes to the particular nomination of Mr. Phelan. For all that our elite "betters" claim superior knowledge, those who have taken to criticizing exclusively on the basis of some skill set or prior military service are betting their credentials on an argument that is ahistorical. Only 33 of the previous 78 SECNAVs had any prior military experience. Of those, the first few were of the Founding generation and fought in the Revolution, one was a Army private in the War of 1812, one had service in the Confederacy. There was even one Gunners Mate out of the E-4 mafia. Then there was a significant set which had experience from WW2, which is unsurprising since anyone health of that generation was more likely than not to have served in some capacity. Of the majority of civilians who never served, most were either lawyers, industrialists, or politically connected
You're correct... I'm well aware and remember well McNamara's stint as SECDEF (as an interesting study during conflict). I have no persnal issue with someone with a civilian background and expertise. My question was aimed at our current Navy status and challenges (as reflected in numerous Salamander posts, including this one). Perhaps a politician or businessman would work very well under a SECDEF Sal... and then again, perhaps (given the expediency of getting us back on tract) he would prefer someone who understood what was needed for our maritime service. I'm not particularly impressed with the current cabinet, or it's grasp of our global maritime challenges.
Sounds excellent to me! :-) BTW...would you consider a retrospective on the tenure of my "first" (I went to work for the Navy in June 1981) and favorite SECNAV, The Honorable John F. Lehman, former A-6 driver? I think the newly-appointed SECNAV would have a lot to learn from him! :-)
Yep. Were I to become (in some other universe) SecDef I too would focus on logistics, resupply...medical capacity on Day-Zero, etc.
I'd also figure out a way to get more big-wing tankers (including making the USN buy and operate some) and heavy-lift airlift (C17, C5 size).
You can repost this for FBF too!
Good to see the last 25 years has paid off Sal! BZ