The new chief of naval operations takes over a force that is trying to reset after years of straining optempo. Here are six issues Adm. John Richardson needs to address to improve quality of life for sailors:
Improve career opportunities. Level the playing field. Pulling all the personnel strings necessary to ensure advancements and career opportunities remain robust in all ratings and specialties has to be one of the most difficult jobs on the planet. But few things are more important to maintaining morale, readiness and mission. Richardson must maximize resources dedicated to this task, offer re-up bonuses as widely as possible and recruit and retain the best talent, from wrench turners to cyber specialists. bonuses are still a case of haves and have nots. All too many important ratings are shut-out from re-up bonuses, which many sailors take as a sign they’re not needed. More ratings should qualify for bonuses as the economy picks up. And personnel leaders need to continue ironing out advancement opportunities, which remain stagnant in a handful of ratings.
Uniform fixes. As overseer of uniform development, Richardson must insist on reasonable wear rules, expeditious development, and comfortable and functional uniforms. Shrink the seabag: Less is more, but what's there has to be right. One priority must be replacing the boots sailors hate: the steel-toed boondockers and the 9-inch boots. worn with coveralls and the NWU, respectively. Let sailors should be allowed to pick their boots that meet safety requirements from a variety of bootmakers., so long as they meet safety requirements. In addition, the Navy working uniform should be phased out in favor of a fleet uniform that's comfortable and flame-resistant. The service should take cues from the Coast Guard, whose working uniform is seen as both professional and comfortable (like the NWU, the blouse is worn untucked.)
Shorten deployments. In the past few years, ship deployments have routinely lasted eight months and longer. That's too hard on sailors and it's too hard on families. Richardson needs to continue the work of his predecessor to shorten cruise lengths and make ship schedules more reliable., moves that would relieve much of the strain on the fleet.
Harness sailor knowledge and ideas.ingenuity. From ballcaps to better watch schedules, the best solutions bubble up from the deckplates. All too often, these solutions are hampered by coincidences like being able to find the right expert. The Navy needs to expand opportunities for sailors to share and develop knowledge. join the digital age and build online sites where sailors' knowledge should be shared and developed. They need to Redoubling efforts to launch a SailorWiki would be a great place to start. , where they can warehouse gouge and lessons learned, videos where common or difficult tasks can be explained, and forums where sailors can swap ideas.
Break booze culture. Alcohol abuse has too long been winked at as an off-duty fact of sailor life. condoned off-duty. Heavy drinking is not a safe or glamorous activity, on liberty or anywhere else. BoozeBut boozing serves only to ruin as ruins careers, wreck families and kill sailors. And it fuels the sexual assault crisis rocking the military. The brass needs to break the ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality that has lingered for too long in the fleet and that puts peer pressure on pressures sailors to drink more than is safe or wise. take another drink to fit in.
Get serious about fitness. Staying fit is a condition of Navy employment. A big waist, or, starting next year, two fitness-test failures, will get you booted. The Navy needs to own up to its end of the bargain by giving sailors time to exercise during the work-day. Commands can manage that. The move will get those who duck exercise avoiders to participate and will provide let those with busy jobs and family obligations also find the time to stay fit and keep healthy.
