Developing Leaders is ‘Job One,’ Dempsey Tells ROTC Cadets

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

DURHAM, N.C.  – Service equities, the U.S. relationship with Iran and Pakistan, and the future of women in combat topped the questions put to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a town hall meeting here yesterday with ROTC cadets.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey spoke to 400 tri-service cadets from Duke University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, St. Augustine College and Meredith College.

ROTC is a college-based officer-commissioning program that focuses on military leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning and professional ethics.

“Think about leader development as job No. 1 and you’re off to a good start,” the chairman told his audience.

Faced with a dynamic between the two world wars that is similar to the Pentagon’s transitional situation today, Army Gen. George C. Marshall invested most heavily in leader development, Dempsey said.

“He knew that if he had the right leaders, once things clarified he’d call upon them to get it right, and that’s what we’ve got to do,” he added. “It’s about leader development. That’s the biggest lesson we’ve learned.”

The chairman stood alone on the stage. He made the cadets laugh, told them stories and showed them a fast-moving music video of warfighters at work that boomed with the heavy-metal song “Indestructible” by the Chicago band Disturbed.

He reassured them that they had not missed their chance to test themselves on the fields of battle.

“You can see Iraq and Afghanistan stabilizing a bit as you sit there wondering what it means for you,” Dempsey said. “[But] your country, I would suggest, needs you more than ever now to get us through [this] period of transition.”

One cadet asked about complaints that Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan had been doing the same jobs as soldiers. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos has a “great vision” for a lighter, more austere Marine Corps that fundamentally establishes expeditionary capability as its core competency, the chairman said.

The Army lays claim to being both expeditionary and of campaign quality -- meaning they go and stay until the mission is over, Dempsey said. “And I think the distinction is important,” he added, “because here’s the truth: as joint forces, we really can’t do without each other.”

The individual service cultures are a great strength of the joint force, just as diversity is a great strength of the nation, he said. But enemies over the past decade have decentralized, syndicated to work together, networked to improve communication, and gone global, the general noted.

“To defeat a network we have to be a network, so one of the things we’re talking about in our emerging defense strategy is the next document that will be published, which is the Capstone Concept for Joint Operations,” the chairman said.

The title, he added, may refer to a global networked approach to warfare because even the conventional force has adapted. “It’s decentralized, it’s networked, and it’s syndicated with a lot of different partners,” he said.

If the Defense Department accepts the challenge to take a global networked approach between now and 2020, Dempsey said, “I think you’ll see each of the services change its organizing principles and … operating concepts to become networked.”

“I think the nation will be well served by that,” he added, “and we can be a little smaller and pull it off.”

In response to a question about the U.S. relationship with Iran, the chairman acknowledged it’s a difficult problem. “We haven’t yet fully grasped the complexity of the issues, … and that’s where I’m spending most of my time,” he said.

On U.S. dealings with Pakistan, Dempsey said his close personal relationship with that nation’s army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, is helping to get the two nations’ militaries through recent rocky relations brought on in part by the tragic deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers during a November NATO air attack.

Dempsey and Kayani, who once were classmates at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., spoke earlier this week about a U.S. Central Command report on the investigation of the attack.

“When things are most heated in the relationship,” the chairman said, “we have the ability to engage each other on the basis of a personal relationship.”

Another cadet asked about the status of a change in the rules that keep women from serving in combat. Removing such restrictions is a two-step process, Dempsey said.

“I’ll use the Army as an example,” Dempsey said. “If you are a military intelligence analyst, there are some restrictions about where you can serve in the battlefield. For example, you can’t be on a military training team.

“That is completely ludicrous,” he continued, “because that’s not the kind of battlefield on which we operate. It’s not linear; it is circular -- 360 [degrees]. We’re going to knock that out of the way, so if you’re a female soldier, sailor, airman or Marine, you serve where you’re needed.”

The second step is the more challenging one, he added, not just because of military rules but because the issue has attracted congressional interest. It involves lifting a ban on women serving in direct ground combat units -- tanks, artillery and infantry.

“I personally believe that on my watch … I think that will begin to change. … It’ll change on your watch, for sure, if it doesn’t change on mine,” the chairman told the cadets. “And I think we’ll be better for it.”

NJROTC Cadets Sail Through Annual Leadership Academy

By Scott A. Thornbloom, Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- More than 140 Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets sailed through the annual NJROTC Area 3 Leadership Academy here June 18-24.

They also rubber rafted, patched pipes, plotted courses and learned how to step up as the next leaders of their units.

"I'd like to think of the leadership academy as 'Top Gun' where we get the top two or three cadets from each unit in Area 3 and they go back to their units and help to make them better," said retired Navy Cmdr. Jerry Egler, the senior naval science instructor (NSI) at Proviso West High School, Hillside, Ill., and the lead organizer for this year's academy.

The annual academy was hosted by Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), headquartered at Great Lakes, and run by NJROTC's Area 3, which encompasses eight states in the Midwest.

Egler said the cadets embrace the training of leadership week and are energetic when they return to their communities.

"They're all fired up when they get home and are excited about what they learn here," Egler said.

They were presented with 23 leadership traits that they learned and discussed with the other cadets in assigned groups, or platoons. They were also introduced to more technical shipboard tasks, such as plotting contacts or navigating a course on computers at the Operations Specialist/Quartermaster (OS/QM) "A" School at Training Support Center (TSC).

"It was interesting to see and have the hands-on experience of operating the same type of computers used on board ships," said Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class Kiara Kilpatrick, 16, a junior from North Chicago (Ill.) High School. "It was especially awesome to meet and talk with the admiral (Rear Adm. David F. Steindl). It was neat that he cared to be there and meet with us."

Steindl, the commander of Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) headquartered here, oversees more than 600 NJROTC units worldwide. NJROTC is a citizenship development program that instills service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment in students in United States secondary educational institutions. Steindl observed sailing and rubber raft evolutions during the week.

"What we try to stress here is the whole concept of professionalism and teamwork," said retired Navy Cmdr. Michael O'Connor, NSI at Jefferson High School, Monroe, Mich. "What I like to see is quiet professionalism. The boats that go out don't make a big deal. They do their job; every one pays attention and works together as a team."

Teamwork comes in handy when the rafts have to paddle out to Lake Michigan in the Great Lakes Marina and then tipped over, or "broached," to clear out excessive amounts of water in the bottom of the craft. Teamwork is also a big part of sailing during turning movements as the boats tack and jibe.

"That's why quiet professionalism is so important and why everyone needs to know their job and only listen to the instructions from the coxswain, or leader of the boat," said O'Connor, who has been a rubber raft instructor for 17 years and part of the leadership academy for eight years.

"The sailing was my favorite part of the week and it was a lot of fun," Cadet Lt. Paola Sarmiento, 17, a senior from Proviso West, said. "I learned that you really have to listen and work together as a team."

The cadets represented 55 high schools and units from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Texas.

Twin brothers Cadet Lt. Matthew Jones and Cadet Ensign Michael Jones, both 17 from Princeton High School in Cincinnati, said getting to know the other cadets from across the country was beneficial in networking and gathering different ideas.

"This academy as well as NJROTC has really helped me mature and gain confidence and has opened up doors for me to continue to college," Michael Jones said.

Both of them also added they hoped the things they had learned and leadership traits they now possess will help them go back to their school and build a stronger and cohesive NJROTC unit.

"We're going to be able to bring back better ways to structure our unit, how to better run our unit and be able to move the unit up in the rankings of Area 3 and the nation," Matthew Jones said.

During the week, the cadets split up into multiple platoons and participated in events such as physical training, uniform and room inspections and a drill competition. There were also classes in basic seamanship, a crash course in damage control at the Damage Control "A" School Wet Trainer and the computer plotting and tracking time in the OS/QM "A" School. Of course, there were also the extensive lessons in sailing and maneuvering rubber rafts as a team around the Marina on Lake Michigan, which is the only NJROTC academy that has 100 percent participation of the cadets completing the sailing curriculum.

The one new class of instruction at this year's academy was Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM.

"I think we were hoping to open the students' eyes to the possibility of learning in a different way and maybe be able to go to the STEM camps at the different universities (Purdue, Embry-Riddle, Sand Diego State, etc.) around the country," said retired Cmdr. Robert Laufenberg, NSI at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago.

For their STEM projects, the cadets learned how to construct a flashlight and circuit tester using wires and switches and other household items found in a junk drawer as conductors and insulators.

"We hoped to use the STEM project to get the cadets more interested in STEM subjects and wet their appetites on how it can be fun to be involved in science and math subjects," Laufenberg said. "However, our main interest here at the leadership academy is to make the cadets better leaders."

Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Kang Bang, 17, a senior from Harding High School in St. Paul, Minn., called the STEM project another opportunity to build team work and camaraderie with the other cadets attending the academy.

"Just like the sailing, damage control or sports day, STEM allowed us to work as a team and build on our camaraderie as a unit here," Bang said. "The whole week also provided a chance for the six cadets that came from Harding to become tighter and better prepared to lead our unit this school year."

The cadets ended the week with a graduation ceremony during which they received a silver shoulder cord to wear on their uniforms, signifying completion of the leadership academy.

Navy Admiral Challenges Cadets to Reach for the Stars

By Lt. Jeffrey S. Gray, Chief of Naval Personnel - Diversity Directorate Public Affairs

CHICAGO, Ill. (NNS) -- Junior ROTC cadets, faculty, and staff from two publicly-funded military high schools, along with a group of influential civic leaders, were provided an opportunity to engage with a Navy admiral in Chicago, June 13.

Vice Adm. Cecil D. Haney, deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command, came to Chicago to participate as the commencement speaker for Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy's third graduation ceremony. While in Chicago, he also visited with cadets at Chicago's Air Force Academy High School and met with civic leaders over lunch at the Pritzker Military Library.

Haney came to Chicago as part of the Navy's diversity outreach efforts to encourage youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in the Navy's officer corps and to pursue college degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Haney's first stop of the day was to Chicago's Air Force Academy High School, which is located next door to U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.

Speaking to cadets in a Junior ROTC class, Haney, a 1974 graduate of the District of Columbia Public Schools' Eastern High School, readily admitted to cadets that he had problems with reading as a student and he wasn't particularly interested in English or history when he was their age.

"I sat in your chair many moons ago, except at Eastern High School, where I went to school in Washington, D.C., I can tell you that it wasn't as high quality as your school here. The facilities were old. Quite frankly I'll tell you I was surrounded by a bunch of knuckle heads. I might have been considered a knuckle head as well," said Haney.

Haney posed the following questions to the cadets: "So how can I be standing in front of you as three-star admiral? Do you think I left high school thinking I'd be an admiral?"

Pointing to the one attribute he thought was key to his success, Haney said, "If there is one thing I'd like you take away from my time here, it would be this; please develop a passion for learning, a passion for learning new things, a passion for learning new things you might not be very good at."

Haney continued, "When I sat in your chair oh so long ago, I wasn't too excited about history and I was less excited about English. But I worked on it over time. Now I have a deep respect, and can't get enough of reading history. You need to explore the full range of academic classes here, because you never know what your true passion or gifts in life are. But if you limit yourself now to only certain experiences, you might find yourself limited later when there's something you really want to do but can't, because you didn't bother to learn something earlier in life."

After spending time at the Air Force Academy High School, Haney next traveled to the Pritzker Military Library.

While at the library, Haney toured the four floors and 40,000-square feet facility, perused a book collection of approximately 30,000 titles and over 9,000 photographs, glass negatives from the American Civil War through the present day, letters and journals from American soldiers, and a sizable collection related to Winston Churchill.

"We try to tell the story of American history through the eyes of the citizen soldier," said Edward C. Tracy, president and chief executive officer of the library. "It's all about the courage and sacrifice."

While also at Pritzker, Haney met with a group of retired veterans who are keen in supporting Navy outreach initiatives, but were particularly interested in learning what was going on at U.S. Strategic Command.

Over lunch Haney provided the group an overview of the mission of the command and answered questions with regard to the organizational structure and the role of the command to combat cyber attacks.

The final stop of the day for Haney was to the Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy, where he was invited to give the school's annual commencement address. Haney gladly accepted the invitation because he has a history with the school. In October 2007, he participated as the school's Principal for a Day in the city of Chicago's Principal for a Day program. Haney also served aboard the USS Hyman G. Rickover as the boat's engineer.

As the commencement speaker Haney praised the accomplishments of the graduating class and singled out individual achievements. Of particular note, 100 percent of graduating students were accepted to either a post-secondary institution or enlisted in a branch of the military; college bound graduates were accepted to over 70 colleges and universities spanning 24 of the 50 states, including Puerto Rico; and graduates accumulated over $3.2 million in scholarship awards.

In his remarks, Haney stressed that, "Each graduate has a remarkable success story. They're here tonight through a combination of talent, intellect, hard work, imagination, and determination. That's a winning combination I think for continued success in life."

"When I visited the school in 2007 you all were freshmen," Haney continued. "I remember some of you were in Mr. Svelnys' physics class when I stopped by. Not only was I ecstatic about the innovative learning environment I observed, but I was impressed by the demonstrated passion of the students to learn in that classroom. You students took me from station to station, and I still brag about you to my colleagues. I was not only impressed by the innovative learning environment, but your desire to learn and challenge each other, including me."

"Just as each of you is unique, the late Admiral Rickover was a unique individual as well. His drive, his persistence a questioning attitude and his ability to understand the importance of teamwork and a single-minded focus on not just correcting a mistake, but getting to the root cause of failures to prevent their reoccurrence was his respected reputation. As a result of his efforts the United States nuclear Navy was launched and has been very successful."

In closing, Haney implored graduates to look at graduation not as an end but, "Consider this graduation as a beginning. So continue to learn, don't quit, and reach for the stars."

Commenting on Haney's insightful and thoughtful remarks, Rickover Principal Michael Biela stated, "I hope the graduates took away two important lessons from the Admiral's speech; hard work and persistence. Too many of our young people have a low attention span because of the numerous and varied activities they engage in, but if they can develop a strong work ethic and a strong sense of persistence they are going to be just fine."

Diversity outreach is the Navy's effort to bring youth from various backgrounds, a broad range of life experiences, and a common commitment to serve their country into the ranks of its leadership and management team—it's officer corps—by way of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Naval ROTC scholarship program.

STEM outreach is the Navy's attempt to foster the development and expansion of our nation's STEM workforce. The outreach effort exposes children and youth to service members who obtained a STEM degree and demonstrates what career opportunities in STEM can provide.

STEM education is an important focus for the Navy, because it produces knowledge and innovation in the technical areas of weaponry, logistical support, communications and intelligence, and medicine, which gives technical pre-eminence to naval forces, and contributes to its robust scientific and engineering workforce.

Mullen Tells ROTC Students: 'People Make the Difference'

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 – Though he never expected he’d have a military career, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer said this week, the people he has served with are the reason he stayed in the service.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told ROTC cadets and midshipmen at UCLA on Nov. 10 that a career wasn’t on his mind when he reported to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1964.

“The reason I stayed was it became very quickly about the tremendous, tremendous people I met from the first day I showed up at Annapolis,” Mullen said to the officer candidates. “You’re joining a military of great young men and women that is the best we’ve ever had in our history, and I would argue it is the best force in the world, ever.”

The chairman has served 46 years since arriving at Annapolis. He credits the people he has served with and the hankering to see the world -- “even though my first assignment was in Vietnam” -- with keeping him in the Navy.

The men and women who aspire to become commissioned officers in the U.S. military must focus on leadership, the chairman said. He told the ROTC students to study leaders, to examine their styles and take what works for them. The military is involved in two wars and maintains guard around the world, he noted, and the only constant they will see upon entering the force is change.

“Leadership is what getting commissioned is all about,” he said. “You are coming into the military at an unbelievably complex time in our country and our world. The military is not immune. We’ve changed dramatically in this past decade, and we will continue to evolve.”

The future officers will face tough decisions, and they must have good leadership ability to see them through, Mullen said. “Good leaders step forward and solve tough problems at the right time,” he added.

Mullen urged the cadets and midshipmen to keep their options open, and not burn any bridges. “You never know that 10 years down the road you won’t have a different view of what that bridge would have looked like had it still been there,” he said.

“Ask a thousand questions,” he continued. “When you are making big decisions, go to people you respect and get their view. In the end, make them your decisions. Don’t make them anyone else’s, because you are the one who is going to have to live with them every day.”

The military values responsibility and accountability, the chairman said. “From a career advice standpoint, focus on the here and now –- focus on where you are and whatever your assignment is, and it will work out just fine,” he said. “Be curious about your next assignment, but don’t dwell on it.”

The military can guarantee its future if it takes care of its people, Mullen said.

“No matter what our missions are, or where we go, or the stuff that we have, … in the end it’s the people who make the difference,” the chairman said. “We’re the most combat-hardened force we’ve been in our history, and we need to take advantage of that and leverage that for a very bright future.”

A student asked about a “values disconnect” between the military and American society as a whole. Mullen replied that the military recruits from all across the United States.

“I’m not overly concerned about the values disconnect,” he said, but he added that he is concerned that the American people are not connected in other ways. The military is less than 1 percent of the American population, he pointed out, and since the end of the Cold War, bases have been closed and avenues for a connection have dried up.

So the military has to do what it has always done, he said: take in 18 to 24 year olds “and change lives and present opportunity.”

“We as a country benefit from that if you stay in or don’t,” he added.