Casey Coane posted on December 01, 2009 00:16
December 2009 Navy
by Casey W. Coane
This month, our feature is a second interview with the CNO, Admiral Gary Roughead. We are always happy to have the opportunity to engage with the CNO, and we appreciate that he managed to fit it in during a particularly heavy travel schedule month.He remarked that it seemed that we just did our first interview, but it was thirteen months ago. Time is flying by for him with all that is on his plate. See the interview on page 15.
Last month, we brought you a guest column and an article about the National Security , Energy, and Climate Forum (hopefully, you also saw VADM McGinn’s article on the Web) but have you seen what else is going on around this topic? The Commandant of the Corps has had an energy summit; and, more recently, on the 14th and 15th of October, the Office of Naval Research and TFE co-hosted the Naval Energy Forum in McLean, VA. What is TFE? Why, Task Force Energy, of course. Secretary Mabus has established two major goals for the Navy: By 2012, we will have a Green Strike Group composed of vessels with nuclear or biofuel power plants. In 2016, the Navy will sail the Great Green Fleet – a battle group with nuclear, hybrid electric/ biofuel ships and aircraft using only biofuel! You may know that there is some controversy as to whether biofuel in the long run is better for the planet when one considers the water and fertilizer necessary to “grow” a fuel source and the competition that creates for food sources in a world short of food. However, it surely is a move toward more energy independence for the Navy. I’m also sure that politics are involved here somewhere from the Administration on down; but I’m telling you that, here in D.C., there is a lot of smoke in the DoD about energy so there must be some fire somewhere.
This month, our guest columnists are Ms. Kathy Moakler and Ms. Candace Wheeler of the National Military Family Association (NMFA). NMFA is one of our partners in The Military Coalition, and we are pleased that they have agreed to write for us from time-to-time. They are the experts in military family programs. Please find them on the next page.
In late October, I made a trip to the Pentagon to present MCPON Rick West and Force MC Ronney Wright with their Honorary AUSN Plank Owner plaques. We have now handed out four such plaques, theirs and one each to the CNO and VADM Debbink. It is fitting that the senior leadership of the Reserve Component and the senior leadership of the entire Navy are a part of the AUSN.
I’m writing this at the end of October; but, by the time you see it, Christmas will be just around the corner. All of us on your staff wish you and your families the very best of the Holiday season. Regardless of religion and how you choose to celebrate, it is that time of year in America when we all count our blessings and think about being a little nicer to one another. Please take the time to offer a prayer for those on watch far from home.
As always, enjoy the read.