The Charge of Command

September 2011 - Navy
By Aaron Bresnahan

This past June, Admiral Gary Roughead, the Chief of Naval Operations, released a memorandum to all prospective commanding officers detailing the expectations for those charged with command. The words that he shared were both poignant and clear, with a sharp focus on what is most important for our Navy’s future success and sustainability.

The opening paragraph of his memorandum stated, “Command is the foundation upon which our Navy rests. Authority, responsibility, and accountability are the three essential principles which are the heart and soul of Command. Effective command is at risk if any of these principles are lacking or are out of balance. Further, a Commanding Officer’s authority must be commensurate with his or her responsibility and accountability. This immutable truth has been the very foundation of our Navy since 1775.”

The charge of command is certainly not to be taken lightly. Thankfully, though, from the earliest days of our nation’s founding, we have found and appointed many outstanding Americans to take on the challenges of command. This is what is so great about our nation and its approach to leadership. People are not appointed as naval leaders simply because of some past status or by virtue of their birth. They achieve positions of authority through merit and hard work––by best exemplifying the values we hold most dear: “Honor, Courage, and Commitment.”

There are thousands of examples of naval officers that have come before us and can act as shining lights for good conduct. Instantly, we can think of officers such as Jones, Decatur, Perry, Nimitz, and Zumwalt. These are probably some of the most famous. Yet, I am sure that we come in contact with many examples of outstanding leadership day in and day out. These leaders are working out the details of command to the best of their abilities and doing what is right even when no one is looking. On the other hand, we sometimes come in contact with those that don’t always live up to the nation’s expectations while in command. This could be part of the reason that Admiral Roughead chose the current moment to release his memo to prospective commanding officers. Let us not let a few rotten apples spoil the barrel. Let us, instead, emulate those that are setting the best of examples, and let us always try wholeheartedly to uphold the greatest traditions of our Navy.

Although the memorandum was primarily focused towards the charge of command, there are essential lessons in leadership that can be practiced by any leader, whether military or civilian, whether in command or simply leading a small working group. Lead by example and do what is right. For when you are faithful with the small things, you will also be found worthy to be entrusted with much more. If you do not perform well or are irresponsible with what you are given, then what you already have can also be taken away from you.

Admiral Roughead has done a lot for the nation and for our Navy during his tenure as the Chief of Naval Operations. Our Navy has been in very good hands during these past few years. The torch is now being passed to the next generation, and Admiral Gary Roughead’s legacy to the nation will be an inspiration to the officers and leaders that will follow him.