NEO - More ATFP admin burden

“4. Effective AT Program Elements. Per reference (a), commander’s AT programs must be based on principles of effective risk management and include detailed guidance on training, exercises, resource management, periodic program reviews, and standards for achieving and maintaining the ability to accomplish the security mission. Commanders are required to implement an AT program that meets the standards set forth in references (a) and (b), consisting of a continuous process of organizing, training, qualifying, assessing, planning, executing, critiquing, reporting, and applying lessons learned.”

Shall, must, will, etc, etc,  

“Commanders are required to...” No shit, CAPT Obvious. Thanks for the heads up. How about instead of giving me the no-brainer, instead tell me how exactly COs are to protect his/her ship, effectively manage risk, while also following this horribly misguided instruction. Ridenhour, have you ever commanded?

Did both Chief of Staff’s read this instruction, page by page, line by line?
Did they put together a panel of ISICs and ship CO’s to give it the reality test?
You and I know the answer.....and it’s sad.

This is the very topic that has gutted the Surface Navy since 2000 and no leader is willing to tackle it and make it effective.  This instruction has so many 2nd and 3rd order effects on Readiness yet the Flag Officers would rather gloss over this one and instead talk directly to COs about PPV. Maddening!


Full msg below:

R 251500Z APR 19
FM COMNAVSURFOR SAN DIEGO CA
TO ALNAVSURFOR
INFO COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
COMUSFLTFORCOM NORFOLK VA
COMNAVSURFPAC SAN DIEGO CA
COMNAVSURFLANT NORFOLK VA
COMNAVSURFOR SAN DIEGO CA
BT
UNCLAS
MSGID/GENADMIN/COMNAVSURFOR/APR//
SUBJ/COMNAVSURFPAC COMNAVSURFLANT ANTI-TERRORISM PROGRAM
INSTRUCTION REVISION IMPLEMENTATION//
REF/A/DOC/COMNAVSURFPAC COMNAVSURFLANT/17APR2019//
REF/B/DOC/COMNAVSURFPAC COMNAVSURFLANT/23MAR2018//
NARR/REF A IS COMNAVSURFPAC/COMNAVSURFLANT INSTRUCTION 3300.1D
ANTITERRORISM PROGRAM. REF B IS COMNAVSURFPAC/COMNAVSURFLANT
3300.1C.//
POC/SHEPTOCK, T./LT/COMNAVSURPAC N34/-/TEL:(619) 437-2145/
EMAIL:TIMOTHY.L.SHEPTOCK(AT)NAVY.MIL//
POC/RIDENHOUR, M./CIV/UNIT:COMNAVSURFLANT N34/-/TEL:(757) 836-3034/
EMAIL:MITCHELL.RIDENHOUR(AT)NAVY.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. REF A SUPERSEDES REF B AND ESTABLISHES POLICY AND
PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANTI-TERRORISM PROGRAM ABOARD
SURFACE SHIPS. CANCEL REF B.
2. REF A CAN BE DOWNLOADED USING YOUR CAC EMAIL CERTIFICATE AT THE
FOLLOWING LINK:
HTTPS://CPF.NAVY.DEPS.MIL/SITES/CNSP/AT/DEFAULT.ASPX//

NEO - Mission Command Essay Winner

Zombies!  Let’s write about a topic that has no realistic application but has all Flags liquored up.
“Yes Admiral, I intend to command my ship and release all my messages without prior review and approval.”      NOT Happening!

BORING!!!

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2019/may/go-straight-em-training-and-operating-mission-command

NEO - FTZ CO speaks out

Bravo CDR Benson for your candor and openness to lay all the cards on the table.
As we all know, Flags think everything is “Commander’s Business” regardless of how ludicrous the list length gets.

https://shar.es/a0ajTW

NEO - New Cannibalization rules

Just saw the message and downloaded the document for all khaki.

BLUF - who cares!

NEO - The death of Mission Command

Bil, thank you for the ability and the opportunity to share some XO insight on the blog.  I would’ve preferred to publish posts on a separate blog, but as XO you don’t have any additional time to build or let alone search for blog options.

XOs are usually too busy reviewing redundant, irrelevant emails from offship that the CO is not interested in reviewing.

I guess that includes this blog.

My intent is to post on many topics that include how “mission command” in the US Navy is really pipe dream.
I like to think I have soooo many examples.

i hope you enjoy the ride.

R,
NEO

The non-famous “Non-Executive Officer” (NEO) asked me to provide access to the blog to share some real-world warship XO perspectives. No sweat shipmate.

Ladies and Gentlemen, NEO

Battle of Litani River

Glad to have the opportunity to contribute to the Center for International Maritime Security (@CIMSEC) and their Next War blog with a little bit about the Litani here.

Given the recent flare-ups in the Levant region, Operation Exporter really needs some thorough and dedicated research. The Battle of the Litani River is a great start.