I was in the Navy for many years, eventually working myself up to a leadership position as the Leading Petty Officer (LPO) for Reactor Department onboard the USS Carl Vinson. One of the duties of the LPO was to organize and conduct the orientation for the new sailors that came on board. Most of these new sailors had never been on a ship before, and were coming from a technical school or directly from boot camp. For many, it was the first time that they had been away from their parents for any extended period.
The object of the orientation was to get the new sailors accustomed to shipboard life and also to get them accustomed to the overall customs and philosophy of the Navy. One of the most valuable tools that was used was the Navy Core Values. It is a basic set of rules and expectations that pretty much guarantee success in the Navy and in life, if followed.
John McCain is a retired Captain in the Navy, and he wears a Navy ballcap whenever he is in public in casual attire. He is the son and grandson of Navy Admirals. His entire political career has been based on his military service, and his personal platform depends on the image of McCain as an honorable Naval Officer. I think that John McCain should go back to a Navy orientation program to relearn the Navy Core Values, as he has become the antithesis of what the successful sailor should strive for using the Navy Core Values. I have included a copy of the Values below; with emphasis on the portions that Sen. McCain needs to work on.
--Navy Core Values--
Honor: "I will bear true faith and allegiance ..." Accordingly, we will: Conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships with peers, superiors and subordinates; Be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other, and with those outside the Navy; Be willing to make honest recommendations and accept those of junior personnel; Encourage new ideas and deliver the bad news, even when it is unpopular; Abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and keeping our word; Fulfill or exceed our legal and ethical responsibilities in our public and personal lives twenty-four hours a day. Illegal or improper behavior or even the appearance of such behavior will not be tolerated. We are accountable for our professional and personal behavior. We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans.
Courage: "I will support and defend ..." Accordingly, we will have: courage to meet the demands of our profession and the mission when it is hazardous, demanding, or otherwise difficult; Make decisions in the best interest of the navy and the nation, without regard to personal consequences; Meet these challenges while adhering to a higher standard of personal conduct and decency; Be loyal to our nation, ensuring the resources entrusted to us are used in an honest, careful, and efficient way. Courage is the value that gives us the moral and mental strength to do what is right, even in the face of personal or professional adversity.
Commitment: "I will obey the orders ..." Accordingly, we will: Demand respect up and down the chain of command; Care for the safety, professional, personal and spiritual well-being of our people; Show respect toward all people without regard to race, religion, or gender; Treat each individual with human dignity; Be committed to positive change and constant improvement; Exhibit the highest degree of moral character, technical excellence, quality and competence in what we have been trained to do. The day-to-day duty of every Navy man and woman is to work together as a team to improve the quality of our work, our people and ourselves.
As a Navy veteran, I challenge Sen. McCain to reevaluate his professional behavior using the Navy Core Values as a guide. Anything less sets a poor example to young sailors and other military members and is not in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navy.