Submariner Recommended As Next CNO
From the Navy website:
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced June 16, he has recommended Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, vice chief of naval operations, to succeed the retiring Adm. Gary Roughead as the next chief of naval operations.Assuming no embarrassing Halfway Night or WestPac liberty photos show up, ADM Greenert should be a cinch for confirmation. He'll be the first Submariner to be CNO since ADM Frank Kelso retired in 1994.
Gates said he made the recommendation to President Barack Obama based on Greenert's solid portfolio that includes both significant personnel programs and budget responsibilities.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Greenert is "an exceptional officer, and if confirmed, will be, I believe, an exceptional CNO."
"He has wonderful operational experience, fleet experience, he's terrific with people and he has extensive experience in the money world, which is now facing all of us," Mullen said. "So I strongly concur with the secretary's recommendation."
Gates praised Roughead, who will retire this fall, for four decades of service and leadership at the helm of the Navy for the past four years.
"I have very much enjoyed working with Gary and have greatly valued his counsel and wisdom on both Navy issues and broader strategic issues," Gates said.
Upon being notified of the news, Roughead offered his congratulations and endorsement.
"I could not be more pleased that Adm. Jon Greenert has been nominated to be the 30th Chief of Naval Operations. I have known Jon and his family well for years and I have the utmost respect for him as a leader and a naval officer."
In a statement released after the announcement Greenert said "I am honored and humbled by the Secretary's recommendation and look forward to working with Congress during the confirmation process."
Greenert's career as a submariner includes assignments aboard USS Flying Fish, USS Tautog, Submarine NR-1 and USS Michigan and as commander of USS Honolulu. He also served as commander of Submarine Squadron 11, U.S. Naval Forces Mariana, U.S. 7th Fleet in the Pacific and U.S. Fleet Forces Command before he became the vice CNO.
Update 2230 16 June: According to this story from Navy Times on the CNO recommendation, Submariner VADM Cecil Haney is in line to be the next Pacific Fleet Commander. If that comes to pass, we'll be back up to three 4-star Submariners on active duty.
posted by Bubblehead at 7:32 PM
40 Comments:
A very logical choice to lead the Navy into the next QDR season. A great mind and a great leader to follow in Big-G's path.
6/16/2011 8:18 PM
Outstanding, we'll take him.
You know what's nice about having a guy in charge with 35/36 years in service? He has absolutely nothing to lose when explaining to Congress what we need and why. He won't have to sugarcoat anything...Chances are good he'll retire after his tour as CNO. That means when it's time to turn to, he'll make certain we have some decent weight on the watchbill and more.
I'm glad we have another Bubble Head in charge of the Navy, we might just get by in life.
6/17/2011 12:09 AM
I'm still trying to figure any major accomplishments that Adm Greenert has has since becoming a flag officer. Many in the Navy consider his tour at Fleet Forces Command a complete failure. He's not a good communicator but I hope he can figure that out and steer our Navy through some tough times ahead - we will need it.
6/17/2011 2:45 AM
Here is fwiw, one dude's opinion of the selection
http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/06/adm-greenert-nominated-for-cno.htm
(short version - he's not a fan)
6/17/2011 4:15 AM
corrected link
6/17/2011 4:19 AM
As a Div O he understood what "good training" meant and didn't question "exam" scoring matrix...if you know what I mean!
Not sure what he was like after that but congrats!
6/17/2011 6:22 AM
Greenert was CSS-11 when I was department head. He basically did a touch-and-go as Commodore and was out of there in about 10 months give or take a month or so. At the time, I recall that we recognized he was punching a ticket on his way to flag and bigger/better things. Frankly, I have no idea what if anything he actually did as CSS-11.
6/17/2011 3:42 PM
Greenert was COS at C7F when I was on the staff. He did a "touch and go" there also. Was onboard about 7-8 months when he was selected for Flag. Left a few months later to put on Flag and assume the fighting billet of COMNAVMARIANAS. Leader of men -not...his relief was far superior!
6/17/2011 5:47 PM
"Assuming no embarrassing Halfway Night or WestPac liberty photos show up..."
how about these two links??
http://blog.usni.org/2010/11/10/leadership-and-accountability/
http://www.informationdissemination.net/2010/11/san-antonio-jagman.html
6/17/2011 6:22 PM
I am excited to hear VADM Haney is up for PACFLT. Smart, fair and honest - glad to see he's still "due course" in the Flag Locker! He is also quite effective at recognizing "the main thing" and communicating it in both directions (higher's priorities to subordinates, subordinates' challenges to higher). The Navy made a great call here imo.
I'd have been even happier to see ADM Harvey's dark horse bid for CNO make it, but ADM Greenert shouldn't be any worse than his recent predecessors. He'll be Navy's caretaker for the coming national strategic reorganization: the detail-oriented Beltway Warrior we need to argue for means to achieve the nation's ends, if perhaps not the innovative Strategic Thinker to identify the best ways to make means meet ends. We could easily do worse with some of the candidates I heard mentioned (e.g., ADM Stavridis who would be more likely to get steamrolled in Congress by existing industrial interests - for all his strengths as a thinker, he's not enough of a heavyweight as a politician to win battles on the Hill).
Good news if the Haney-to-PACFLT rumor holds true, while Greenert as CNO is an acceptable compromise.
6/18/2011 7:59 AM
Wow...just 10 comments on this significant issue? What a bunch of pussies! No - you can't change the choice of Greenert for CNO, but you can discuss him or the CNO issues. That is why this blog/forum exists!
For my part, I worked with him and I am glad I am retired. Don't believe he will do the Navy good. On my bad side, I don't know who would have done the Navy good...too many PCs out there...
6/18/2011 4:45 PM
What is there to say? He will be a good company man do what his civilian political handlers tell him to do. He is already onboard with the social issues (gays, women on subs) or he wouldn't have been nominated.
He may have some say in the budget issues (ship building, personnel, etc.) but we are already going down in flames and he probably can't put out the fire.
For the average Sailor just trying to do his job, it is just another Admiral singing the same tunes on his way to a big retirement check.
6/18/2011 5:46 PM
Could not have made a better choice for the staff...no transition required. All those binders put together over the last six months can be shredded and you can get back to business.
6/18/2011 7:28 PM
I remember Haney's crew referring to him as "El Diablo Negro.". Something also about hiding his daughter's suicide attempt lest it harm his career. He was a douche at group 2.
6/18/2011 8:23 PM
I'll admit to be underwhelmed with Haney when he was a squadron commodore.
6/19/2011 7:53 AM
I was underwhelmed with Haney as CSS-1 also. I believe that he is a very smart person, but he takes ages to mull anything over and to make a decision - no matter how trivial. Not sure I would have wanted to be at sea with him at the conn. OTW, he seemed a decent person but I only saw him from the O-6 to O-6 point of view - never had to work for him.
6/19/2011 9:13 AM
Agree with the other comment, the CNO pick is just more of the same. No new lessons learned.
6/19/2011 9:54 AM
My only interaction with Greenert (if you can even call it that) was he was the speaker at a sub ball I attended. Nothing noteworthy about the speech (typical boring RAH RAH garbage), but the one thing I did note was that he did not stick around to socialize at all. As soon as the speeches were done he booked it. Maybe he had a flight to catch or something, but it struck me as odd.
6/19/2011 3:45 PM
Every day that goes by, I wish more and more "Big Al, the sailor's pal was back". What happened to all the guys like him?
6/20/2011 6:22 AM
I don't know the man, but given the overwhelming (underwhelming) opinions of him, I am not surprised he is getting appointed. Has Gates or Roughead done anything for the Navy. This sounds like a yes man appointment so Gates can do whatever he wants with little or no opposition. Y'all sound shocked.
6/20/2011 7:12 AM
What is really amazing is all of the negative comments on here. I know they are just opinions.. but really?
Why can't we just be happy that fellow submariners are doing well and representing us in high places… right where we need them. I wouldn’t ever volunteer for ANY of the jobs they have held.
I personally served UNDERWAY with Haney and Richardson and can tell you that yes, both are completely different leaders, but I can assure you they have the highest of standards, forward leaning and didn’t kill the crew while rising to success.
Greenert was a little before my time on the Hono’ but looking at his (and the above Admirals) web of influence (subordinates that went on serving and doing well) I would have to default in saying he is top-notch.
6/20/2011 9:50 AM
Negitive comments on this site - SHOCKING!
6/20/2011 10:38 AM
I knew him as my XO on Michigan, what really impressed me though was twenty years later during my COB tour when I met him again in Japan at the Sanctuary. He not only remembered this lowly MM3 a-ganger, he remembered specifics like my first name, rate, wife's name, etc. I know we weren't that kid and his wife, that causes everyone to roll their eyes, I wasn't a pain in the neck and very surprised at his recollection of the detail. I think it will benefit the whole Navy if he is appointed. He may not be an extraordinary speaker, but he knows how to get stuff done and has a solid mind and clear head on his shoulders. Best of luck to him!
MMCM(SS)Ret.
6/20/2011 10:38 AM
I knew quite a few people who served on the Honolulu with Greenert. I haven't heard a negative comment from them. Honolulu was one of two boats that were doing what subs should be doing during that time frame.
As for Haney, I served with him when he was CO on the Honolulu. He wasn't the best CO I have during my career, but he was by far the most intelligent. I'd give him a 7 out of 10 rating as a CO. He did what a CO was supposed to do and that is go to sea. The Honolulu had a great crew and worked hard to keep the boat sea worthy. He had a standard that he kept his entire tour and people understood that standard and adhered to it.
As for the "El Diablo" that his crew referred to him as, I call BULLSHIT. He was very well respected by the crew.
There are a few flag officers now that I have served with and they are all good leaders!
Yes, I do wish more were like Big AL!
STSCS(SS/SW) USN RET
6/20/2011 11:03 AM
I don't think the comments are really that negative. They are basically saying, if you like what we have now, the way the Navy is heading, then great, because more of the same is on the way. Sometimes consistency is just what is needed.
6/20/2011 5:51 PM
Having served with VADM Haney for 2 years when he was CO, the comment about "El Diablo" is 100% total BS. He was a tough CO, but fair, level, and absolutely not afraid to make decisions. So I don't know what anon is talking about on that issue either, but then again I tend to discount most anon postings.
I think it is more interesting that three former HONO COs are wearing a total of 10 stars. If Haney goes to PACFLT, and the rumor of Richardson going to NR comes true, that would be 12* for HONO. Yeah, they must have been bad....get bent.
6/23/2011 4:43 PM
“The thing that makes us worth a damn is our moral influence on people.”
“I am convinced in any organization that if you are taking care of the weakest – and I’m not talking about the one who just can’t qualify – I’m talking about the person who can’t fold the laundry the right way, the person who looks different, maybe the minority, maybe the female. If you’re taking care of that person, your self-awareness goes way, way up,”
VADM Konetzni
The next Big Al is out there but will have a difficult time getting all the appropriate recommendations through his career IOT become PACFLT. It has been my unfortunate experience that mission comes before men in the sub force. It can be hard work not getting fired or even keeping your head above water... the ones who make take time to recognize and help the weakest will typically get left behind. Sad but true.
6/23/2011 5:09 PM
While I have good and bad stories about VADM K, it is always bad to use one person as the model for all others. There are many variables, and after all there was only one VADM K.
But just to make a point, my understanding is that he was a huge Waddle fan...right up until, well, you know.
6/24/2011 4:20 PM
Anonymous Srvd_SSN_CO says:
"...but then again I tend to discount most anon postings."
BTW, Waddle was a twit.
6/24/2011 7:32 PM
I think it is more interesting that three former HONO COs are wearing a total of 10 stars. If Haney goes to PACFLT, and the rumor of Richardson going to NR comes true, that would be 12* for HONO
"He who controls split stern planes controls the universe"
6/25/2011 9:21 AM
@Srvd_SSN_CO - What Dept Hd/Div Off were you on the Hono?????
STSCS(SS/SW) USN RET
6/26/2011 10:06 PM
served,
VADM K always appeared to be a big fan of everyone. Your comment suggests that you don't have a clue of who he really IS.`
He called VADM Haney out for overworking his crew on Hono as a CO and it showed up in the WSJ but they whole story is he had a great deal of respect for the man. I have heard VADM Haney tell the story and how he learned a great deal from that.
He had a sense of Scott Waddle's character flaw but just did not put it together until too late. Waddle was not one of his favorites period as the press painted it.
RDML Kenny was to be the closest thing to our next Big Al but the system got him the way they tried to take down Big Al (VADM Konetzni was too smart for them.)
Don't throw stones at what you have no clue of.
6/29/2011 3:32 AM
Anon 6/29/2011 3:32 AM,
Well said!
6/29/2011 3:57 PM
re: VADM K, ordering COs to have RopeYarn time is silly. Talk about micromanaging....Telling the MI crew to suck up a surprise ORSE days after the Eng quit because "they'll be fine" just plain sucks. That many people loved him is a strong statement, but I am not one of them.
STSCS--email me.
And while I may not post my name, few here do. Bubblehead has my bonafides, and I post enough that my JOs have readily ID'd my posts. This blog is priceless for open communication. Long live Joel!
6/29/2011 8:13 PM
What happened to RDML Kenny?
7/03/2011 4:26 AM
RDML Kenny was a great guy. He believed in a classified mission for the submarine force that was a great mission for America. Unfortunately, some of the powers that be didn't believe in it. He pushed a few too many buttons, was not selected for his second star and sent home. He did the right thing and I admire him for it, but his career suffered.
7/03/2011 5:55 AM
I served with him during his time on the Honolulu. I was not impressed with him. Also during 1992 we had for most of the year the lowest retention rate in the PACFLT and for a couple of months we hit number 1 in the entire fleet. My impression was he did not much care about unless someone was going to make him look bad. But he was quite the politician so he should do well in DC.
7/10/2011 1:07 AM
Americans cannot afford an apathetic United States Senate. Read more at http://stateofthenavy.blogspot.com/
Very respectfully submitted,
Moral Courage
7/11/2011 10:01 AM
It can't really have success, I suppose like this.
4/28/2012 11:29 AM
Goodness, there is a lot of worthwhile info in this post!
7/24/2012 5:40 AM
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