We are the United States Navy and I am a United States Sailor

February / March 2012 - Navy

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope that you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and that you have a healthy, safe and successful year in 2012. Your Association has been busy during the two months since our last issue of Navy. AUSN is “your” association, advocating for the Navy, everything from airplanes and ships, to pay and benefits. Led by Rear Admiral Casey Coane, the headquarters staff continues to do amazing things in support of the entire Navy family...officers and enlisted, active and reserve, veterans and retired, civilians and families.

I had the distinct pleasure to interview Vice Admiral DirkDebbink in December. His passion, insight, vision and total commitment to the Navy and the Navy Reserve are readily apparent in his comments. Our Navy is so fortunate to have him serving as Chief of the Navy Reserve. We had a very open and lengthy discussion about a variety of relevant topics. In fact, the interview was so long that it could not all be included in this issue. To read the entire interview, please visit our Web site at ausn.org. While you are there, please browse through the site, read the articles and feel free to sign up as a member if you are not one already.

Three things, the Sailor’s Creed, the Navy Ethos and the Navy Brand, truly define who the United States Navy is and who the men and women are who serve, or have served, as Sailors in the world’s greatest Navy. The Sailor’s Creed is an inspiring set of words that are committed to memory by every Sailor during boot camp. I am motivated every time I see or hear the words, “I am a United States Sailor....” I have often wondered why officers are not required to memorize the Sailor’s Creed. The Navy Ethos was developed to reflect the values integral to mission accomplishment for active and reserve Sailors and Navy civilians, regardless of assigned unit, command or community. It communicates a set of beliefs appropriate and important to the more than 400,000 military and 180,000 civilian personnel who share a common bond of service in the Navy. It starts with “We are the United States Navy, our nation’s sea power–– ready guardians of peace, victorious in war” and truly defines the distinguishing character, culture and beliefs of our Navy and the many men and women who serve today or have served in the past. And last, the Navy Brand, “America’s Navy, A Global Force for Good.” These seven simple words define who our Navy is. Together, these three items define who we are, how and where we operate, and the value we place in our people.

The new year brings many challenges. We are out of Iraq; Afghanistan continues, North Korea has a new leader, the world economy continues to struggle; it is an election year; and we are ready to respond to conflicts and natural disasters around the globe. The President has released new strategic guidance for the Department of Defense that will influence budget decisions on force structure and capabilities in all of the services. It will shape the joint force of the future. I encourage all of you to take the time to become familiar with its contents. Tradition and a culture defined by the Sailor’s Creed, the Navy Ethos and the Navy Brand will get navigate the United States Navy through the challenges that lie ahead and ensure that we are ready to respond when called.

I am proud to have served and to be to say that “I am a United States Sailor.”

Please visit Web site for the Sailor’s Creed at http://1.usa.gov/xGRMpf and for the Navy Ethos at http://1.usa.gov/wc0Dwy.