Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Mike D. Stevens completed a trip to the Navy’s Command Leadership School (CLS) and Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) at Naval Station Newport, R.I., Dec. 4.
MCPON sat down with students from the current Command Master Chief / Chief of the Boat (CMC/COB) and Prospective-Commanding Officer and Prospective-Executive Officer (PCO/PXO) courses during his visit.
The courses are two-week classes meant to prepare the Leadership Triad (CO, XO, CMC) and Command Support Team (Ombudsmen and spouses) for their roles.
MCPON spent an hour discussing leadership roles and responsibilities with the CMC/COB class 105.
“Genuinely get to know your Chief Petty Officers on a one-on-one basis,” said Stevens. “You will need to individually lead your Chiefs while collectively leading them as well.”
MCPON spoke frequently about his ‘Zeroing in on Excellence’ initiative throughout the trip. The initiative was released Nov. 6 and outlines MCPON’s three focus areas; developing leaders, good order and discipline, and controlling what we own.
“Sometimes it is the simple things that will affect morale and welfare in your commands,” Stevens said to the PCO/PXO students. “It’s your liberty policy, your training policy, your command advancement process, and your ability to manage your resources.”
While visiting the SEA instructors and students MCPON discussed proactive communication.
“We have to have very candid conversations with each other,” said Stevens. “If we hope to continue moving in the right direction, then we have to get better at developing leaders.”
The trip concluded with a Chief Petty Officer call for area Chiefs.
“As your Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, I am the Command Master Chief for the CPO Mess at large,” said Stevens. “I believe we need to foster a relationship built on trust in one another. If we are going to have trust, then we must be close to one another which is why it is important for me to travel to see you and talk with you.”
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, December 7, 2012; Image: US Navy