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EXEMPLIFYING LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE U.S. NAVY

EXEMPLIFYING LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE U.S. NAVY

Marcus A. Smith

Leading Yourself Foundations MGMT331

American Military University

Dr. Jean Francis

December 4, 2024

4 December 2024

MEMORANDUM

From: YN1(SCW/AW) Marcus A. Smith, USN

Subject: EXEMPLIFYING LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE U.S. NAVY

Shipmates,

As we navigate through the different challenges we face as Sailors it is important to reaffirm the elements that guide us: our mission, vision, and the Navy’s Core Values. These are not just words, but they are the foundation of our missions and operations and shape all that we do. I am taking the time to produce this memorandum for you to reflect on these elements and discuss how they empower us to succeed, both individually as a Leader and as an organization.

1. Our Mission. The U.S. Navy’s Mission Statement is clear. “The United States is a maritime nation, and the U.S. Navy protects America at sea. Alongside our allies and partners, we defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity, and keep the seas open and free. Our nation is engaged in long-term competition. To defend American interests around the globe, the U.S. Navy must remain prepared to execute our timeless role, as directed by Congress and the President.” (U.S. Navy, 2024).

a. As a Sailor in the U.S. Navy, YOU are a leader. You have signed on the dotted line to sacrifice yourself for your country, as such, you have been given the opportunity to lead your team through trainings, operations, and missions with honor and dedication. Your commitment to these missions ensures that our Navy remains the world’s strongest maritime force and preserves peace and security worldwide.

1) Being a leader in the U.S. Navy is not easy, it will come with many failures, but with many more successes. There are a few key effective communication skills that I feel are critical to becoming a successful leader. Set clear expectations for your Sailors. Be transparent and avoid surprising your Sailors. Rather than making decisions only at the senior positions, ensure you are including your Sailors in your decision making. Be supportive and nurture your Sailors (Remember that they are not only Sailors, but they are husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters). In many cases, the struggles they are facing are struggles that you have already faced and overcame. Don’t forget where you came from. And last, but certainly not least, make them want to be apart of what our mission is about (Effective Communication, 2014).

2. Our Vision. The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) has published his vision for the U.S. Navy. His vision is “to build, train and equip the Naval Forces to deter, and if necessary win conflicts and wars in support of the defense strategy and national security priorities. ” (Del Toro, 2021).

a. To be successful in working within the SECNAV’s vision, we must foster an environment where our Sailors want to be part of the mission. Be the leader that they trust and are confident into following into any situation. Communicate well and communicate often. Remind them of our Navy’s vision and support them to do great things for themselves and for the Navy. Your Sailors are the heart of this great organization, and it is your responsibility to ensure they are focused and driven to succeed.

3. Our Core Values. The Navy’s Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment were introduced to every Sailor before they ever shipped off to bootcamp. There is a reason these values were adopted by the Navy, and it should be every Sailor’s expectation to live by them. As a leader, it is your responsibility to continue leading with Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and to ensure your Sailors are doing the same.

4. Organizations with clear missions, visions, and values are more effective in achieving their goals (Chandler, 2023). The statements that the Navy have issued are provided for a purpose. These statements give our Leaders and Sailors a guide to operate by. They are there to remind us of what we are here for and why we have made and will continue to make sacrifices to serve in this great service. The Navy is full of great traditions that have shaped us to the place we are now, but the world is ever changing, new threats are popping up daily, and it is our mission to change and adapt to counter those threats and stay ahead of them.

In closing, I would like to thank each and every one of my Leaders and Sailors out in this great Navy. Without you all, our mission would fail, our vision would lack, and our great nation and maritime force would suffer. As a leader, keep doing the best that you can. Lean on your family and your Sailors (junior and senior) to help accomplish our missions. Communicate well and communicate often.

With the utmost respect to you all,

YN1(SCW/AW) Marcus A. Smith

United States Navy

References:

Chandler, A. (2023, August 13). Council post: Why mission and value statements matter. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/council...

Del Toro, C. (2021, October 8). Secnav del Toro outlines top priorities on maritime dominance, people, Strategic Partnersh. United States Navy. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Off...

Effective Communication (2014).[Video/DVD] New York, NY: Inc. https://search- alexanderstreet-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/view/work/bibliographic_entity|video_

work|2469207

Mission. United States Navy. (n.d.). https://www.navy.mil/About/Mis...

[Authors removed at request of original publisher]. (2015, October 27). 4.3 the roles of mission, vision, and values. Principles of Management. https://open.lib.umn.edu/princ...