Three readers penned letters to the editor for the Sept. 7 issue of Navy Times. Have thoughts you'd like to share on Navy Times stories or letters? Send them to navylet@navytimes.com. Include your name, address, phone number, city, state and rank. Submissions may be published in print and online.

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'HONOR OUR OWN'

When a serviceman or woman puts their life on the line for their country, I believe they should be honored for their sacrifice, which brings me to the terrorist attack on a train in France.

We are in a declared war against terrorism; therefore the actions of our military personnel that thwarted the attack on the train deserve to be recognized with medals. As a Marine Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient on a 100 percent total permanent disability from that war, I know the importance of medals.

Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone specifically deserves the Purple Heart for his wounds. The others should be given an appropriate medal for their heroism.

The French have already given out the Legion of Honor. Now it's up to our country to honor our own.

Cpl. Gregory J. Topliff (ret.)

Warrenville, S.C.

Editor's note: Airman Spencer Stone will be nominated for the Airman's Medal and Army National Guardsman Spc. Alek Skarlatos will receive the Soldier's Medal. Both the Soldier's Medal and Airman's Medal are the highest awards given to service members who perform heroic acts in non-combat situations.

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LET GIS USE THEIR GI BILL

Regarding the Aug. 31 story "Plan would use GI Bill for costs of new business," you correctly noted The American Legion's support for allowing veterans to use their GI Bill benefits to obtain small-business grants.

But the piece failed to give veterans the credit that I believe they deserve. With all due respect to the organizations that oppose this measure, The American Legion believes that the men and women who were entrusted to make life or death decisions in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere are responsible enough to decide for themselves how best to use the GI Bill benefits they have earned.

Not everybody chooses to attend college. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and veterans who have an entrepreneurial spirit have earned the right to pursue their dreams.

Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., should be commended for trying to make that possible.

Michael D. Helm, national commander, The American Legion

Indianapolis

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PITFALL OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership is defined as the action of leading a group of people or an organization. The military further defines leadership as influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.

Over the years, I have watched sailors focus their desire on promotion to the next rank be driven on a larger paycheck rather than the increase in leadership responsibilities increase tenfold. To me, this is leading to the Navy's downfall.

I think back to my early hospitalman recruit days. My first leading petty officer and leading chief petty officer had 18-22 years in the Navy each. Through their leadership, I was successful.

In just 18 short months, I completed a work-up for deployment with the Marine Corps, deployed with the Marine Corps, earned my Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist Qualification and was selected to third class petty officer.

Had it not been for the leadership of those above me, through their years of knowledge and experience, this would never have been possible.

Now before I rant, let me clear the air. I have been selected to first class petty officer. I have just under nine years of service. I was eligible for petty officer first class at my five and a half year mark.

I do not feel that if I had put on petty officer first class prior to now, that I would have been a successful leader for my junior sailors.

Today, sailors are picking up petty officer first class at their five and six year mark; therefore, making chief at seven or eight. Now I will give them credit for their hard work on studying to pass the exam with a high enough score and being "above standards" on annual evaluations. But as far as a leader, are you truly ready?

In the military, leaders develop their juniors by counseling, coaching and mentoring. Let's break it down. If we use the career development board for counseling, what is a five year petty officer first class or a seven year chief petty officer really going to offer the eight year petty officer second class? Do they know the ins and outs of officer programs for junior personnel? Can they answer questions about how to use the GI Bill if the member plans on getting out? What if the member is reaching high-year tenure and needs answers on what to do?

If I have been in nine years as a first class, and my chief has less than me, what mentoring is there to be done? If I have a problem and need career advice on how to handle a situation, who's been in the Navy longer? The first class might even have more tours than the chief.

Many people coming through the ranks forget the biggest part of leadership. As you excel through the ranks, you work for more people, not the other way around. You now work for every junior sailor under your charge.

Just as we have wait periods between paygrades in the Navy, we should have no-earlier-than periods for each rank. This would ensure that our ranks do not get filled with the unqualified fantastic test takers but by those who have gained the Navy experience, leadership and capability to lead the sailors that are now looking up to them.

If I were the CNO or MCPON for a day, here is what I would suggest:

  • No sailor shall be promoted to second class petty officer before their fourth year of naval service.
  • No sailor shall be promoted to first class petty officer before their seventh year of naval service.
  • No sailor shall be promoted to chief petty officer before their 10th year of naval service.

If we want to remain the world's strongest Navy, we must put the world's strongest leaders in the ranks. The strongest are not always the smartest and the smartest are not always the strongest.

Our system of advancement has become heavily based upon test taking and less upon leadership. I have never seen a test that if you score a perfect it proves you have leadership. All it proves is that you understand what a book said about leadership. Time teaches leadership. Mentorship from leaders teaches leadership. Let's take back our Navy and ensure that we are setting everyone up for success by empowering our ranks to be successful, and not setting up others for failure based upon a broken advancement system.

HM2(FMF) Aaron Hepps

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

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