No rocking the boat in CNO’s first month

[unhappycamper]

Adm. Gary Roughead became Chief of Naval Operations on Sept. 29.


No rocking the boat in CNO’s first month
By Zachary M. Peterson - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 6, 2007 16:47:15 EST

It has been a relatively quiet first month for Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, who took over for Adm. Mike Mullen in late September. But naval observers say there is no reason for the new CNO to make major changes in his initial months on the job.

Since assuming command Sept. 29, Roughead has unveiled the new sea service maritime strategy, which was championed by his predecessor and signed by all three naval service chiefs; visited sailors in the Middle East; and released his guidance, which presented a continuation of the former CNO’s vision for the Navy.

The lack of a major direction shift contrasts starkly with his peers at the Coast Guard and Marine Corps, who shifted gears quickly after taking command.

“I would be more surprised if he made a significant departure ,” said retired Adm. Bob Natter, referring to Roughead’s first 30 days on the job. With Mullen taking over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs on Oct. 1 and his Senate confirmation vote taking place Sept. 28, there was little time for the usual transition period, Natter noted. Nonetheless, the retired four-star described the transition as “healthy and normal.”

Ron O’Rourke, a naval analyst at the Congressional Research Service, argues it will take time for Roughead to make his mark as CNO.

“It’s not particularly surprising that the transition from Mullen to Roughead has not resulted in any earthshaking changes, because Roughead’s statements prior to becoming CNO suggested that there would be a lot of continuity between him and Mullen on major issues,” O’Rourke explained.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/navy_roughead_firstmonth_071106w/

[Eagle_Eye]

1. Admiral Roughead says in his 2007 CNO Guidance document

we will pursue a "Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century". He then spells out in an additional five pages of non-descript, middle of the road, non-inspiring, non-compelling, business as usual, no-new-information statement that what we are seeing now is the way it is going to be.

http://www.navy.mil/docs/CNO_Guidance.pdf

The whole thing reads like the talking points from non denominational church's mission statement.