No respect for China?

Short term memory loss on the part of China.

China in our own backyard?

And I don't mean the Pacific...

Don't like this post

At least not from a warzone, otherwise the Army might track you down.

Crowd-Sourcing a Navy exercise

Well, the Navy is giving crowd-sourcing a try with an upcoming, electromagnetic war game:

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=71607

I went ahead an registered, figured why not give it a try. Hope to see some of y'all there!

Full article:

Norfolk, Va. (NNS) -- To generate ideas from a broad field of participants, the Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC), the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) are partnering to conduct a crowd-sourcing online war game on electromagnetic maneuver (EM2) starting Feb. 4.

Electromagnetic Maneuver Massive Multiplayer Online War Game Leveraging the Internet - or em2 MMOWGLI - will be played in three one-week phases:

1) Know the EM Environment: Understanding EM Energy, from
February 4, 2013, to February 10, 2013

2) Be Agile: C2 in the EM Environment, from February 18,
2013, to February 24, 2013

3) Change Our Paradigm: Tactical Employment of EM Weapons,
from March 4, 2013, to March 10, 2013

To facilitate global participation, the game will be open 24-hours a day during the game phases. Interested players can request to register at https://mmowgli.nps.edu/em2/signup. After registration, the game can be played on any web browser.

"The electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace are key differentiators for winning future Navy battles," said Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, commander, NWDC. "em2 MMOWGLI is designed to bring together a massive, distributed audience focused on helping the Navy operate in the EM environment."

"Communications, electronics, and sensor systems aboard U.S. naval ships and submarines must operate effectively in order to support the execution of military missions and operations," said Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder, chief of naval research. "We're looking to the experts in electromagnetic warfare from across military, government, academia, industry and think tanks to actively participate and make meaningful contributions in the game which could ultimately improve warfighter effectiveness."

Each phase of the game will start by the partners posting 'root' cards which pose questions on the topic for that phase. Players then post 'idea cards' that other players can respond to by either building on, countering, redirecting, or calling for further expertise. Points are earned based on each idea card's influence and perceived value. Individuals contributing to particularly intriguing concepts are invited to collaborate on an "Action Plan" to move that idea forward. Published action plans are awarded further points by all players providing ratings and additional comments. Significant achievements will be recognized.

In addition to the unclassified em2 MMOWGLI game, a blog on NWDC's Navy Center for Innovation classified website at http://fims.nwdc.navy.smil.mil/nci/bloglist.aspx will allow players with SIPRNet access to continue game discussions in a secure environment.

Results from the game will inform Navy innovation concept development and experimentation efforts.

Further details about em2 MMOWGLI can be found at http://portal.mmowgli.nps.edu/em2.

For more news from Navy Warfare Development Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/nwdc/.

Maritime Domain Awareness

Once a theory, but with technology like this, it could become a reality.

http://nosint.blogspot.com/2013/01/darpa-wants-to-dot-ocean-floor-with.html

We never stop searching

until everyone comes home.

http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2013/01/ap-search-on-missing-wwii-myanmar-011113/

The command that performs this noble task has a website here. I knew a few people assigned there, it's a rather interesting job (one guy spent time in North Korea even!).

http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/

Fiscal cliff realized

A very scary ALNAV. Located here: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/ALNAVS/ALN2013/ALN13006.txt

ALNAV 006/13

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JAN//

SUBJ/RISK MITIGATION FISCAL PLANNING//

RMKS/1.  THIS IS AN UPDATE ON THE CURRENT FISCAL SITUATION FACING THE NAVY AND 
MARINE CORPS AS CONGRESS CONTINUES TO WORK TOWARD A DEFICIT  REDUCTION PLAN TO 
AVOID THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF SEQUESTRATION AND TO  PASS A BUDGET TO END THE 
EQUALLY DELETERIOUS EFFECTS OF THE  CONTINUING RESOLUTION (CR) UNDER WHICH WE 
HAVE OPERATED SINCE THE  FISCAL YEAR BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2012.

2.  SEQUESTRATION WAS DELAYED FOR TWO MONTHS IN THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER  RELIEF 
ACT (ATRA) PASSED BY CONGRESS ON 1 JANUARY, CREATING MORE  TIME TO AGREE ON 
DEFICIT REDUCTION, BUT GIVING THE DEPARTMENT OF  DEFENSE LESS TIME TO MITIGATE 
SPENDING CUTS IF NO AGREEMENT CAN BE  REACHED.

3.  BUT DON (AND ALL OF DOD) FACE AN EQUAL BUT MORE IMMEDIATE FISCAL  
CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF AN FY-13 APPROPRIATIONS BILL, WHICH  HAS LEFT 
US OPERATING UNDER THE CR, WHICH LOCKS OUR BUDGET INTO  LOWER FY-12 LEVELS FOR 
OUR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS  DESPITE INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES 
WHICH DEMAND INCREASED  RESOURCES.

4.  BECAUSE SEQUESTRATION WAS DELAYED, OUR FOCUS MUST NOW SHIFT TO THE IMPACTS 
OF THE CR, WHICH CREATES SIGNIFICANT SHORTFALLS IN OPERATION & MAINTENANCE, 
NAVY (OMN) AND MARINE CORPS (OMMC) ACCOUNTS AND THE RESULTANT STEPS WE MUST 
TAKE TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM LEVEL OF PRESENCE.  UNLESS A SPENDING BILL IS 
PASSED QUICKLY BY THE NEW CONGRESS, WE MAY BE FORCED TO OPERATE UNDER THE SAME 
CR THAT HAS BEEN SUSTAINING US SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.  THIS 
CR IS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF MARCH. SHOULD CONGRESS DECIDE TO EXTEND THE 
CR THROUGH THE END OF FY-13, THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH 
MONEY TO MEET FY-13 REQUIREMENTS IN THESE ACCOUNTS.

5.  WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE FY-13 OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS (OCO) FUNDING; 
HOWEVER, THOSE FUNDS ARE EARMARKED FOR SUPPORT OF CRITICAL WARFIGHTING 
REQUIREMENTS AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY SIGNIFICANT RELIEF TO OUR BASELINE 
OPERATING ACCOUNTS.  WE PROJECT A SHORTFALL OF OVER $4 BILLION IN OUR BASE O&M 
ACCOUNTS WHICH FUNDS NAVY AND MARINE CORPS READINESS.

6.  GIVEN THE GREAT UNCERTAINTY WE FACE, WE MUST ENACT PRUDENT, BUT  STRINGENT 
BELT-TIGHTENING MEASURES NOW THAT WILL PERMIT US TO  OPERATE THE NAVY AND 
MARINE CORPS THROUGH THE REST OF THIS FISCAL  YEAR IF THE CR IS EXTENDED.  
EACH OF THESE STEPS ARE DESIGNED TO BE REVERSIBLE, AT LEAST TO SOME EXTENT, 
SHOULD CONGRESS PASS AN FY-13 BUDGET.  ACCORDINGLY, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS 
LEADERSHIP HAS ADVISED  THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE THAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING A 
SERIES OF  ACTIONS, EACH SUBJECT TO EXCEPTIONS FOR MISSION-CRITICAL 
ACTIVITIES.
  ACTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- CURTAIL ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING SUPPORT SERVICES
- REDUCE TRAVEL
- DELAY ALL DECOMMISSIONINGS AND ANY DISPOSALS OR LAY-UPS
- REDUCE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGETS
- CURTAIL REMAINING FACILITY SUSTAINMENT RESTORATION AND MODERNIZATION 
PROGRAMS
- CUT FACILITIES SUSTAINMENT, EXCEPT FOR SAFETY OF LIFE
- REDUCE SPENDING ON BASE OPERATING SUPPORT
- CANCEL ANY PLANNED FACILITIES DEMOLITION
- TERMINATE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES, EXCEPT THOSE SUPPORTING MISSION-CRITICAL 
ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING THE WARFIGHTER
- IMPLEMENT A CIVILIAN HIRING FREEZE

7.  THESE STEPS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY.  WE WILL ONLY BE ABLE 
TO SUSTAIN CURRENT FLEET OPERATIONS.  WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUFFICIENTLY 
MAINTAIN AND RESET OUR FORCES FOR FUTURE OPERATIONS.

8.  WITH A YEARLONG CR, THE POTENTIAL FOR CIVILIAN FURLOUGHS EXISTS, BUT ALL 
DECISIONS IN THAT REGARD WILL BE MADE AT THE DOD LEVEL.  WE WILL FOLLOW 
WHATEVER GUIDANCE WE RECEIVE.

9.  THIS GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED FOR YOUR INFORMATION.  SHORTLY, YOU WILL BE 
HEARING SPECIFICS FROM SERVICE LEADERSHIP ABOUT THEIR PLANS FOR THE AMOUNT OF 
THESE ADJUSTMENTS AND WHAT ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO LIMIT THE IMPACT ON OUR 
MILITARY PERSONNEL, CIVILIANS, AND FAMILIES.

10.  RELEASED BY RAY MABUS, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.//

Check your resources well!

Some people have so much time on their hands, they decide to create fake wikipedia articles:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/war-over-imaginary-bicholim-conflict-page-removed-wikipedia-234717353.html

No one in the military should be surprised though, because this is quite similar to how much bad gouge floats around in the Navy.

Recently, I was told that we needed to schedule some of our people for a High Risk of Isolation brief. I was familiar with this because I had been to one before, scheduled by the command a year ago. We were told that we had to pay for the briefer to come to the command, so I non-nonchalantly asked one of my petty officers to locate the reference saying we had to have the brief, so that I could justify the expenditure to the command.

Well, he looked, and couldn't find it. So I started making phone calls. Funny enough, no one but CENTCOM required the brief...and since they did the brief regularly in theater, we had no reason to pay for someone to come visit. The briefer was a bit miffed, and said it was a good idea to have it...which doesn't fly in the face of tightening budgets. The brief was canceled, and we went on our merry way.

Not checking the real references and relying on gouge nearly cost us a few hundred dollars in travel money. Check your resources often, you might be surprised to find that you do things that aren't needed. 

If you had to pick a crappy country we'll see more of in the news...

I'd pick Mali.

http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2012/12/ap-al-qaida-carves-out-own-country-in-mali-123112/

And it doesn't look like a great vacation spot, according to the State Department:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_962.html

How the Navy misses the point on leadership

While browsing across some random articles on navy.mil, I came across this:

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70945

And laughed.

Leadership? Really? This is a ship-driving course, plain and simple. There isn't much leadership here, save for maybe some confidence boost you get from having done a ton of simulators and feeling comfortable giving commands.

How about Big Navy stop trying to teach leadership at the Junior Officer level and do what teaches leadership best...which is to LET JUNIOR OFFICERS LEAD! Admiral Mullen, in an interview with David Letterman (http://militarytimes.com/blogs/scoopdeck/2011/06/15/early-stumbles-didnt-sink-admirals-career/) talks about how he fell in love with command when he commanded a gasoline tanker as a LT. But nowadays, the soonest you can command is...LCDR, on a minesweeper (which isn't exactly viewed as career enhancing).

The Navy continues to remove opportunities at low levels for leadership, and I believe it contributes to the often sophomoric attitude in our current leadership. You can't use silly staff speak when you work directly with a group of first class petty officers...they look at you funny and tell you knock it off. You can't legislate via email with second class petty officers...they demand to see you and know that you care.

And sadly, when you have less small group leadership opportunities, upper level leaders then reach down and try to micromanage, because they haven't had those opportunities themselves. The eventual outcome is that Ensigns and LTJGs are deprived of real leadership, and by the time they become more senior Lieutenants...they're expected to have leadership experiences that they never had the opportunity to get.

The Navy doesn't need more leadership training, it needs more small group leadership opportunities.

CNO visit

Yup, he stopped by. I even managed to get a quote on Navy.mil

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70889

NPS has new management

So apparently the President and Provost at NPS were fired, and RDML Jan Tighe is running the place now.

http://navycaptain-therealnavy.blogspot.com/2012/11/rdml-jan-e-tighe-to-head-naval.html

I've heard nothing but positive things about RDML Tighe. As a distance NPS student, I have received numerous emails about the search for a provost, most of which I trashed because they were annoying spam. Now I have the full story.

Acquisition reform?

Maybe.

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/11/14/pentagon-unveils-latest-acquisition-crusade/

Of note:

He recognized the challenges that programs face when program managers often spend only two or three years at a certain assignment. Salary freezes have made the military’s job even harder trying to keep acquisition professionals working for the military and not fleeing to defense companies.

That's kind of a "duh" moment...maybe if you stop putting SWOs and NFOs in jobs that they don't understand, you'd get programs that run successfully. Or at the very least, require them to complete acquisition training before they arrive on the job.

If you're planning on having liberty in Japan...

...you're gonna have a bad time, even if you're on leave.

http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2012/11/navy-japan-7th-fleet-liberty-restrictions-tightened-again-112612w/

Top Navy commanders ordered all personnel to remain in their bases and government quarters at night in Japan — where an 11 p.m. curfew is in place — and barred them from consuming alcohol after 10 p.m. following another spate of embarrassing incidents, mostly involving drunken service members.

Facebook troubles

Yup, it can get you into trouble...so very fast. So, let's look at the case of Lindsey Stone, described here:

http://wizbangblog.com/2012/11/20/meet-lindsey-stone-self-professed-douchebag/

Now, Ms. Stone might have thought her photo was funny, but it very much backfired on her, and she might not have a job with LIFE anymore.

People are normally careful when voicing their opinion in public, but for some reason not enough people fear the internet's ability to move information quickly. Ms. Stone is getting beat up badly, and has essentially withdrawn from Facebook in an attempt to lay low for a while. Before you go posting something on Facebook, you need to ask some questions:

1. Are your friends on Facebook really friends? There is a setting to make people "acquaintances," and you should use it. Most of the people on your Facebook friends list are not real friends at all. You can restrict people's access to your Facebook data using acquaintances, described here: http://www.facebook.com/help/200538509990389

2. Do you really need to post your opinion? Is it worth arguing with someone online? Do your friends really need to see your not-so-humorous photo? I stick with a policy of posting anything even slightly controversial after sleeping on it. What it ends up meaning in the end is that I don't post a lot, but what I do post is well thought out.

3. What would someone have to type into google to get your post? Google, among other things, matches a search term to your article. If you start to think about what search term matches your article...you might phrase your post differently.

If you can answer all those questions, post away! Otherwise, be careful, because your posts may backfire on you.

Silver Star

Always good to see combat awards come in...

http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2012/11/TUESDAY-air-force-silver-star-deslauriers-112012w/

Iron Dome strikes again

A more in-depth look into what is happening in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20121120.aspx

Good order and discipline

So there's some debate on this Navy Times article:
http://www.navytimes.com/prime/2012/11/PRIME-navy-mcpon-to-chiefs-focus-on-better-discipline-111211w/

Having actually read the article, it's SOP for the Navy Times: have a catchy, angry headline, but a normal article. The MCPON isn't throwing the Chiefs Mess under the bus; rather, he is calling on the Mess to do some basics: set the example, focus on what we can fix (and not issues like budgets or long deployments), etc.

One of the things I learned from reading the book The 360 degree leader was that the best place in any organization to effect change is from the middle. Everyone seems to focus on our top leaders: the generals, the admirals, the captains and colonels. But the crazy truth is that while they do have a lot of influence on a command's climate, they are too often given too much credit by our media for the outcome. The reality is that our middle managers, the division chiefs and the division officers, are the ones creating the outcomes or failures.

This isn't just pipe dream thinking. Look at the average surface ship. The CO sets the tone, and the XO enforces discipline, but ultimately who is checking up that the average sailor is doing their job? Who really ensures training, maintenance, and operations happen? Who interacts the most with any particular sailor? It's the division officer and division chief, the best team the Navy can come up with.

Unfortunately, I read a report today about the status of training and readiness on some of our ships, and it was sad. The comments were blunt: chiefs and first classes that weren't present, focusing more on their ESWS or "duties" in the mess or FCPOA instead of doing their jobs. Second and third class petty officers were left to their own devices. The report didn't even mention the division officer, who I suspect was completely unengaged, probably working on his SWO pin.

MCPON is right...but is missing one piece. He needs to talk about the DIVO/DIVC team. It's not just the chief's job. A division officer or a division chief, on their own, can keep a division above water with superhuman effort. Only a team can take a division to greatness, and prevent the misconduct disease from ever taking hold.

Budget cuts looming

But it might not be all that bad...according to this article:

http://thewillandthewallet.squarespace.com/blog/2012/11/7/fiscal-cliff-notes-the-only-things-you-need-to-know-about-th.html

Of note in the article, "The usual tool for reducing personnel costs, as a result, is to reduce personnel (and that is happening)." Something to think about. As the DoD winds down, NOW is the time to make yourself someone that the DoD wants to keep. Start acquiring those skills that make you one of the folks that can stay in, and not be forced out.

And, make sure your electronic record reflects it!

Vertical control fin?

In my Navy, we call it a "rudder." Not sure why the term vertical control fin shows up in the article.

Photos of the recent collision between San Jacinto and Montpelier. No rudder showing....not a good sign.

http://blogs.defensenews.com/intercepts/2012/10/photos-from-submarine-cruiser-collision-off-florida-coast/