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I just wanted to check in and update readers about what has been keeping me away from the blog. Last Sunday, I packed my bags for DC and reported as an intern to the CNO’s Executive Panel. Composed of civilians who range from business executives to analysts from RAND, the panel functions to give the CNO “outside the box” thinking on a wide range of issues. I work with the panel’s staff of officers and civilians who assist in the research and writing of papers.
I’ve heard GEN Conway speak about the state of the Marine Corps and its upcoming challenges (how amphibious should it be?), attended a talk on media and public diplomacy, and met with the author of the recently published study on “Social Media and National Security,” discussed by Christiaan and Galrahn.
I traveled back to Annapolis for Ring Dance this weekend and had a wonderful time. As my friends and I celebrated the occasion, we began to realize how fast our time passes by here. Not so long ago we were the plebe ushers for our second-class’s Ring Dance.
That was last week. This week I have some items I really need to post to include the final portion of my interview with VADM Harvey where we talked about issues such as diversity. I also hope to examine one possible future of the education and career track of the Navy’s officer corps. That’s all for now; standby for further updates!
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Recent Posts
- Interview with Naval Historian and Author Vincent P. O’Hara
- Telling an old Sub tale: History only helps if we let it!
- Repeal of DADT, Amplifying Instructions
- Interview with Thomas Hone, Co-author of Battle Line The United States Navy 1919-1939
- Man on the Street Interview with Kit Lavell, Author of Flying Black Ponies: The Navy’s Close Air Support Squadron in Vietnam
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- Interview with Naval Historian and Author Vincent P. O’Hara February 8, 2010Readers of this blog know that I had previously “e-interviewed” Vincent O’ Hara about two of his three books: Struggle for the Middle Sea: The Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean Theater, 1940-1945 and The U.S. Navy Against the Axis: Surface Combat 1941-1945. So it was a real honor to meet him in person [...] […]Jim Dolbow
- A Telling an old Sub tale: History only helps if we let it! February 8, 2010Back in a February 2008 issue of Naval History, a piece by Admiral Charles R. Larson (Retired), Captain Clinton Wright (Retired) and Paul Stilwell caught my eye. The article, “The Sculpin’s Lost Mission: A Nuclear Submarine in the Vietnam War”, details a forgotten patrol by the USS Sculpin (SSN-590). It is an article that deserves a second–if [...] […]Defense Springboard
- Repeal of DADT, Amplifying Instructions February 7, 2010RAAUZYUW RUEWMCS0000 0352024-UUUU–RUCRNAD ZNR UUUUU R 012124Z MAR 10 FM CJCS WASHINGTON DC//J1// TO JCS//COCOM INFO SECDEF WASHINGTON DC// BT UNCLAS//N01500// CJCSMSG 043/10 MSGID/GENADMIN/CJCS/WASHINGTON DC/J1/MAR// SUBJ/REPEAL OF DADT AMPLIFYING INSTRUCTIONS AND TRANSITION TO GAYS SERVING OPENLY IN ARMED FORCES REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCM/2008// REF/B/MSGID: DOC/ […]UltimaRatioReg
- Interview with Thomas Hone, Co-author of Battle Line The United States Navy 1919-1939 February 7, 2010Dr. Thomas Hone pulled double duty at USNI AFCEA West 2010 as both a panelist and one of the authors at Wednesday’s book signing. Dr. Hone co-authored along with his son Trent of Battle Line: The United States Navy 1919-1939. Thomas Hone and Trent Hone describe how a Navy desperately short of funds and men nevertheless [...] […]Jim Dolbow
- Man on the Street Interview with Kit Lavell, Author of Flying Black Ponies: The Navy’s Close Air Support Squadron in Vietnam February 6, 2010One of my favorite events at USNI conferences are the book signings. I had the opportunity to interview several Naval Institute Press authors this year at USNI AFCEA West 2010. Here’s my interview with Kit Lavell, author of Flying Black Ponies: The Navy’s Close Air Support Squadron in Vietnam. Talk about history with a purpose [...] […]Jim Dolbow
What is the purpose of a Consultant?
A Consultant is a person who when you ask him what time it is, he takes your watch and tells you the time.
When I was at the Naval Air Training Command, I had two PhD Aerospace Experimental Psychologiests who worked for me. Both LTs, who were highly capable “out of the box” thinkers. However, they were both Lieutenants. Which brings back the issue of Cognitive Inertia at the decisionmaker level.
Some of their astute initiatives obtained funding, some didn’t. The biggest hurdle facing these two sharp, innovative officers was the stigma associated with their rank and the fact they were in the Navy.
Sadly, these smart guys get out because the Navy doesn’t recognize their potential, and cultivate it. So, instead these former Navy innovators work for the Rand Corporation and we pay triple or more, for the same “out of the box” thinking that was resident in the Navy.
Again, our Navy Organizational Inertia and Cognitive Inertia keeps us from recognizing innovation within our own people.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:11 pmI am jealous of your internship! Happy blogging!
May 18th, 2009 at 12:25 pmWhat is a Consultant?
A Consultant is someone who knows 1001 sexual positions but doesn’t know any women.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:43 pmCdr Lumpy:
Yep.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:19 pm