1. PURPOSE:  To promulgate my personal command philosophy as I assume the duties and responsibilities of Commanding Officer.

2. BACKGROUND:  SUPPLY's primary and overriding mission is the attainment and maintenance of the highest state of combat logistics support and combat efficiency in support of the Navy's mission to conduct prompt and sustained operations at sea in support of National policy.  While SUPPLY will primarily refuel, rearm, and resupply the fleet, we have other missions no less important.  Representing the United States abroad and the Navy at home are but two examples.

3. OBJECTIVES:  The following are enabling objectives to achieve SUPPLY's mission of combat logistics support and combat efficiency.

    a.  To be ready to fight SUPPLY in defense of the United States and our national interest, by employing tactical procedures which best utilize the capabilities of SUPPLY.

    b.  To maintain personnel in the highest state of training.

    c.  To maintain SUPPLY in the highest state of material condition and cleanliness.

    d.  To organize personnel and distribute the workload, so each Officer, Chief Petty Officer, and Sailor in SUPPLY will understand their responsibility for their share of the load, accountability in relation to their assigned tasks and will realize the importance of their contribution to the accomplishment of SUPPLY's mission.  We will work and play as a team.

    e.  To give maximum consideration to the morale and welfare of each Sailor onboard consistent with our assignments and to create a positive command climate.  Promote individual professional and personal development, advancement, and achieve retention of all qualified officers and enlisted.

    f.  To derive personal satisfaction in a job well done and enjoy ourselves while accomplishing these objectives.

    g.  To promote the morale, well-being and self-sufficiency of our families so neither they, nor we, need be disquieted during our time away from home.

4. PRIORITIES.  In order to achieve the enabling objectives the following are my priorities during my tenure in command.

    a.  Training.  When training is mentioned most sailors cringe.  However, training or better stated learning is the key to success.  Training pervades everything we do from standing watch on the Bridge or Main Machinery Room to equipment maintenance to preparing meals to underway replenishments.  The better we are trained and the more we have learned about SUPPLY, its equipment, and its capabilities the better we will be able to accomplish our mission.

     Training must be conducted at the individual and team level. Individually, read a book, better yet read a technical manual. Learn why a particular PMS is done or why a specific system setup works best.  Work toward advancement.  Don't be satisfied with your current level of qualification; work toward the next higher qualification.  Take a correspondence or night course in a subject that interests you.  When assigned to a team, learn how your assignment fits into the big picture.  Anticipate what information will be needed and provide it rather than having to be prompted every time.  Work together.  Set goals for yourself and your team and work toward them.

     b. Safety.  A well trained crew who knows its equipment and procedures will be safe.  Safety is not just for the ship, it’s for everything we do, from driving to trimming trees at home to replacing a winch motor to liberty in a foreign port.  If something seems unsafe, it generally is.  I would rather be safe than fast.  People first, then equipment, then the job.  Nothing is more important than a life or a finger or an eye.  There is always time to do a job right the first time. 

     I task every person onboard SUPPLY to think safety during every evolution.  If a situation is unsafe or seems unsafe, stop it.  I don't care how senior or how junior you are.  If I'm doing something unsafe, I expect and require you to tell me.  If you are involved in a drill, other training event, or operational evolution and are not sure of your assignment or task, ask what am I supposed to be doing and continue to ask until the situation is resolved.

     Finally always remember, I will be the only person in SUPPLY who will authorize working on energized electrical circuits regardless the voltage, bypassing any safety interlocks, one valve protection in any system regardless of temperature or pressure, or intentionally operating any equipment out of safety parameters.  This includes PMS actions as well as emergent repairs.

     c.  Planning.  Along with training and safety, planning is another key to success.  I am in charge of long range planning.  The Executive Officer should be looking ahead six months; Department Heads should be routinely planning 3-4 months ahead; Division Officers and Chief Petty Officers 3-4 weeks; and Work Center Supervisors 4 weeks for maintenance and at least a week for work center work lists.  Well thought-out, thorough planning produces two results: first and foremost, we are in control rather than someone else controlling us, and second, a steady strain approach to our demanding underway schedule, maintenance of the ship and preparations for inspections.  If we do our planning right and then faithfully execute our plan, there should regular work hours and no last minute surprises.

     d.  Cleanliness.  "A clean ship is a happy ship."  While that may seem trite to some, it has been my experience a clean ship with sailors who are well groomed runs safely and efficiently.  No one wants to work or live in a dirty environment.  Cleanup after yourselves, pick up trash off the deck.  Put tools away at night. Stow equipment where it belongs not where it is convenient.  Be proud of SUPPLY, keep her clean and well preserved, after all she is our home for long periods of time.

     e.  Core Values.  By virtue of your military service and its commitment to our Core Values, each and every one of you will be held to a higher set of standards and a greater level of accountability.  I will not tell you what to think, however business conducted aboard SUPPLY will be color blind and gender neutral.

     Honesty, integrity, loyalty, and trust are but a few characteristics of a good shipmate.  Once you have compromised these characteristics they are extremely difficult if not impossible to regain.  Be true to yourself; be true to your shipmates.  Treat others as you would want to be treated.  Take care of each other.

5. SUMMARY.  In the months ahead I look forward to meeting and getting to know each of you.  I look forward to being your Captain.

     Always remember you are a sailor aboard a U.S. Navy vessel and you are expected to conduct yourself in accordance with the U.S. Navy's highest traditions and standards.  You represent "your Navy" and "your ship" whether you are on or off duty.  Be a professional and give your best in whatever work you do.  SUPPLY is a team.  We must work together to accomplish SUPPLY's mission.