A Commanding Officer who spoke to us previously on leadership told us to make sure we do "The Right Thing". We always want to do the right thing as Sailors and do not wish to be that guy doing the wrong thing. However it does not encompass just what you do for ourselves it includes what we do with and for our peers and our subordinates (no mater what your rank ). What resonated the most is when he spoke of giving yourself a " GUT CHECK ". To us it meant to stop and take a look at everything you do... is it the right thing? Seriously STOP reading this for a minute and " GUT CHECK" yourself......................................... Are you doing the right thing every day you show up for work (this is where it starts) Uniform / Hair / Shave...
Attitude ... all the way to mentoring our troops, treating each one fair and just. Helping them make the best decisions for themselves and thier career, even if the individual is the worst Sailor you have? (Remember Fair and Just?)
Leadership ..... Lead By Example
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During the discussions with the Chiefs and First Class Petty Officers we shared stories of ourselves and our personnel to include those that have died recently. We discussed what we would like to do to get the message across to our personnel on Drinking and Driving. We have posters up, we have our web page and face book to help get our message out to the Sailors in the Navy...
We are trying to set up with all of our POADD Units where they will meet peer to peer and have discussions, however it it not fully in place and will take time, however we dont have time.
Master Chief (name withheld until permission to use granted),
Talked to us and in a very basic statement said "you have to get in thier face"! This is not an agressive state we are talking about, but face to face, eye to eye discussion and questions to ensure they understand drinking and driving. Its only when people get IN YOUR FACE you can make a direct change to thier decisions.
You can start the conversation with:
Q What are you doing this evening / weekend?
A Going out to this dive bar i like.
Q A bunch of you going together?
A No just going to hang out for a while and wind down
Q Just you and you going to have a drink or two?
A Sure what else would I do there?
Q Whats your plan on getting back to base?
A I'll drive back when i am done....
At this point you need to use your leadership skills, "NO your not going out drinking, you have no plan. And you are telling me you are going to be drinking and driving.
We need you to do this to a minimum of 5 personnel, if you can do this to 500 Bravo Zulu! We have to start somewhere why not YOU and TODAY!.