*Editor’s note: This blog post is the text of a speech given by a commander to his squadron on the occasion of the repainting of aircraft 500.
VAQ-130 Command Quarters 5 April 2018
NAS Whidbey Island
That flight was the last time Aircraft 500 flew with this paint job.
There is a leadership adage—you should always give orders as if they were your own. Generally, I agree with that philosophy. I do not intentionally undermine my superiors and hope you have never been able to differentiate between policies I initiate with policies I transmit. However there is another leadership principle I believe in—that is the adage about being yourself. I would never lie to you. You are smart, and would see through me if I were disingenuous. I am glad we are that type of organization, but we therefore require some clarification and transparency regarding the plan for 500.
As background, last week the nation fought in Afghanistan for its 6,000th consecutive day. Well-intentioned leaders fought the war at a full sprint, and only later realized they were running a marathon. That ongoing conflict combined with self-inflicted budgetary constraints left the Super Hornet fleet in disrepair. The United States did not fight the war at a sustainable pace. The chain of command learned that lesson and today is admirably and correctly tightening down on the policies and procedures for corrosion control and preventive maintenance. The Navy needs to make sure these aircraft do not fall into similar disrepair and can meet its combat tasking in perpetuity. With that motivation I am in 100 percent agreement.
Part of the preventive measures tightened down on the limitations of paint schemes on naval aircraft including “CAG” birds, which traditionally were allowed exceptions from corrosion control policy. After clarifying the details, it is clear our CAG Bird, Zapper 500 is not within standards. Her paint job deviates significantly from the approved policy. With that instruction I am unfortunately in 100 percent disagreement.
Anecdotally, I know this aircraft is the best looking jet in the fleet. When CNN came to the USS Eisenhower (CNV-69) to report on the fight against ISIS they chose 500 to represent the air wing. Civilians young and old, veterans of all services, and active-duty military personnel compliment this aircraft at every airport at which it lands. More analytically, I can tell you that 500 remained in an “up” status with more consistency and with higher combat effectiveness than the squadron’s four other aircraft. While it is difficult to prove causation, the correlation is clear. Throughout our command we are proud, focused, and diligent in the care of aircraft 500 because of her appearance—not despite it. We take better care of this jet, not worse—and though the motivation may be superficial, the results are very tangible and very real.
I also believe it is paramount that in an all-volunteer service we continue to fight at the squadron level to recruit the next generation of sailors and aviators while also demonstrating and cultivating a pride in what we do. Zapper 500 met her combat requirements while helping recruiting and retention.
My leadership objectives are in conflict with the management of a signed directive. We find ourselves in the proverbial spot where an immovable object meets an unstoppable force. So let me explain to you my thought process and clarify how we do business.
I swore the same oath that you did. I do not take that oath lightly. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic and I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to regulation and Uniform Code of Military Justice. That is a fact.
However, that oath does not obfuscate you or I from the responsibility of creativity, critical thinking, or respectful dissent. First and foremost, “following orders” is not, nor is it ever, an excuse to break the law. “According to regulation and the Uniform Code of Military Justice” puts the burden on you and I to understand US code and follow our own moral compass. If I ever give you an order you deem illegal you will not follow that order and you will report me up the chain of command.
That oath does not eliminate the requirement for debrief. There are time critical tasks that need to be accomplished. If I tell an aircrew to “abort” “break right,” “add power,” or (heaven forbid) “eject” I expect immediate compliance. Similarly, if we are making a launch time off the carrier, achieving the flight schedule, complying with publications, meeting deadlines, or executing a task that necessitates high levels of efficiency I expect immediate and enthusiastic compliance. However, the contract that we in this squadron have is that we will debrief time critical tasking. This debrief should evaluate that decision-making and—even if that critical evaluation affirms perfection—it will serve as an opportunity to comply with my standing order to train your replacement. We must ensure that the professionalism and experience is passed on to the next generation of Zappers so that someday they too can make informed time sensitive decisions at the appropriate level.
More common in our day-to-day environment are non-time critical orders, and nowhere in our oath is the expectation of blind obedience. Conversely, I believe that “supporting and defending the constitution” mandates that in a democracy we continue to master our craft, ask intelligent questions, strive for efficiencies, and improve the process. I authorize and welcome the increase in time and effort it will take to critically and creatively accomplish the mission. You are hereby ordered to not “wait your turn” for good ideas. If you think there is a better way to do something, let your chain of command know; vocalize and brainstorm with your peers; strive for improvements. Know that we will not deviate from publications and procedures, but the management of those publications sets the floor of our performance—the leadership and ambition of every member of this squadron sets the ceiling. I expect better and I expect you to get us there.
As a leader, let me tell you this is harder. It is way easier managing “Forrest Gumpian” sailors who do what they are told and do not ask questions. That attitude does not make us better. It does not make you better. It does not make them better. Learning is hard and a squadron that requires debriefing time critical tasks and welcomes debate, diversity, and dissent is a more challenging team to be a part of. Nevertheless, I do believe that we will be better in the long run.
Perhaps, we need to expand upon the words of John Paul Jones that we “be quick and unfailing to distinguish error from malice, thoughtlessness from incompetency and well-meant shortcoming from heedless or stupid blunder.” In the 2018 Navy also be quick and unfailing to distinguish dissent from disrespect, thoughtfulness from complaining, and well-meant questioning from heedless millennial whining. Every officer should still honor the “great truth that to be well obeyed is to be perfectly esteemed . . .” Some things never change.
Dissent is not natural to the military. We live in a unique time in human history where our civilian counterparts have lost the ability or willingness to debate and discuss with respect and civility. Maybe, that responsibility now falls to us! If ever there is a time to dissent, think creatively, and improve the process that time is now. In 18 months, the next time we deploy, we will no doubt fly combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan—and in our ranks our newest sailors will have been born after 11 September 2001. I have fought that fight my entire career and I cannot help but debrief myself on opportunities I missed to respectfully dissent and maybe improve the trajectory of that war. I know I could have done better.
Finally, We should clarify the historically unprecedented nature of the all-volunteer service. At some point you may be ordered to do something that is not worth your soul or self-respect. I want you to think about where that line is. I have a line in my mind that I keep private. There are objectives that if ordered to accomplish I will relinquish command and end my Naval service. That line is personal to me, but I will tell you it is going to take a hell of a lot more than paint schemes on jets for me to give up the opportunity to serve the country and sailors I love so much. Social media is filled with veteran’s deploring policies that “drove them out of the Navy . . .” Everyone has a price I guess, but know that my price is higher than this.
Good story Skipper. So what the hell does all of this mean?
Our jet is not in compliance. Fact. I disagree with the instruction. It was not a time critical task so I vocalized my respectful, anecdotal, and analytical dissent to my chain of command. The instruction remains in place. It is a lawful order in line with regulation and uniform code of military justice. Following that order, while disappointing to me, is not worth sacrificing my continued service and I know that the spirit of the aircraft, my soul as an aviator, my influence as a leader, and our ability to direct the course of American foreign policy is stronger than the paint on a jet.
Therefore, with a heavy heart, clear conscience, and unwavering conviction, Master Chief Walsh at the conclusion of this quarters there will be a “down” discrepancy written on aircraft 500. It will not fly again until her paint scheme complies with the signed instruction.
Lieutenant Commander Howell, you are authorized work hours outside of my previously approved workweek to bring this jet into an up status prior to our next detachment. If your maintenance department lacks the resources I expect immediate notification and I will do my best to remove those barriers to your success.
Command Master Chief Clark, the increased workload to get 500 back in flying condition prior to the Alaska detachment will no doubt strain the sailors. Please ensure their continued wellbeing and come up with a plan to compensate and reward the maintenance team that will bear the brunt of these requirements. I look forward to discussing ways that we can alleviate their increased stress and reward them for their essential work.
And, finally, while I don’t have the ability to waive the instruction, the Secretary of the Navy delegated to me the authority to award Navy Achievement medals. I intend to blatantly abuse that authority now, so 500, you stay right there, Ma’am. And squadron—in honor of the best looking jet in the United States Navy and an inanimate object I irrational love and was honored to fly . . . Attention to Award!
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HER DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS THE ELECTRONIC ATTACK SQUADRON ONE THREE ZERO CAG BIRD FROM NOVEMBER 1ST 2011 TO APRIL 4TH2018. DISPLAYING UNPRECEDENTED MILITARY BEARING AND UNWAVERING COURAGE 500 SAFELY COMPLETED TWO DEPLOYMENTS ABOARD THE USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER AND THE USS HARRY S TRUMAN. SHE SAFELY LANDED ABOARD THE CARRIER OVER 600 TIMES DESPITE OCCASIONALLY BEING UNDER THE CONTROL OF TERRIFIED JUNIOR AVIATORS. HER UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND LOYALTY TO MISSION LED TO THE SAFE COMPLETION OF 3,082.8 FLIGHT HOURS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SHE FLEW OVER 80 COMBAT MISSIONS ENCOMPASSING 665 HOURS IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF US AND COALITION TROOPS IN SYRIA, IRAQ, AND AFGHANISTAN. HER IMPROVEMENT TO THE MORALE AND ESPRIT DE CORPS OF THE ZAPPERS WAS LEGENDARY AND CREATED A CULTURE OF PRIDE AND PROFESSIONALISM INSTRUMENTAL IN VAQ-130 WINNING AN UNPRECEDENTED BACK TO BACK BATTLE E IN 2016 AND 2017. BUNO 168268’S EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONALISM, UNRELENTING PERSEVERANCE, AND LOYAL DEVOTION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HERSELF AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
SIGNED
BRENDAN R STICKLES
COMMANDER US NAVY
