CNO Discusses Future of Navy, Sea Power 21
Navy NewStand
Story Number: NNS030415-22
Release Date: 4/16/2003 1:51:00 AM
By Journalist 1st Class Jennifer L. Wuest, U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark visited the U.S. Naval Academy recently as part of the Naval Institute's 129th annual meeting and 13th Annapolis Seminar.
Clark, a "longtime member" of the Naval Institute, said he was pleased with the way the Institute is entering the digital age. He also thanked them for speaking to members about Sea Power 21 and the future of the Navy.
"It's an exciting time to be in the United States Navy," he said. "I have 54 percent of our Navy forward-deployed this morning ... 303 ships, 163 of them are forward-deployed.
"They are ready. They have been performing brilliantly."
Clark said he is also pleased with retention rates in today's Navy.
"We are in the third year of the most incredible retention that we have ever had in the history of our Navy. The goal this year for first-term is 56 percent. Each year, we have broken the record for the best year ever.
"In February, the retention for first-term was 79.4 percent. It's an exciting time. We have the right number of people."
Clark then discussed the pillars of Sea Power 21: Sea Strike, Sea Shield, Sea Basing and ForceNet.
"We're past the point of understanding 'what' Sea Power 21 is about - the task is now to understand 'why' Sea Power 21 is what it is," Clark said.
"Sea Strike is fundamental for this reason: we have always been a power-projection Navy. Sea Strike is about projecting offense. If you are in the business of combat arms, it is an absolute essential to have an offensive mindset."
In addition to projecting offense, Sea Power 21 calls for the projection of defense, also known as Sea Shield.
"Tomorrow's Navy is about projecting - not just offense, but projecting defense, hundreds, even thousands of miles away," Clark said. "The last 15 months have been the most successful in our history in this area."
The third pillar, Sea Basing, is "operating from the maritime domain," said Clark.
"The core of our being is about the ability to operate from the maritime domain. We must have the courage to examine every assumption we have ever made about the way we put our force together, and exploit to the fullest the ability to operate from the maritime domain without limitations that tie us back."
Other plans for the immediate future include a new evaluation system going into effect July 1. It will be implemented first for flag officers and will subsequently make its way down through the ranks.
Other initiatives include Task Force EXCEL, the Navy's revolution in training, and the establishment of the Naval Personnel Development Center.
"One of my jobs is to find leaders who will take the Navy in the correct direction. I intend to create a system that fits round pegs into round holes.
"It's really easy to be against stuff. . It's a lot more difficult to be for something. I want leaders who know what they believe in."
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