Seeing as how the "take no offfense" lamp is lit...
highlyrandom said:
I have "felt" a lot of trouble since being commissioned back in '04 with being an effective officer....
I have been more impressed with my peers in the wardroom that actually "care" and are trying to do the right thing. The ones that become ineffectual or lackluster are the ones that need recalibrating. Good to hear that you take heart in your job, and what to be an effective leader.
highlyrandom said:
Chief advocated not following the rules, and exchanged words with me on how little authority I had as the friggin DivO. Mistake: I left TAD with my tail between my legs; already cynical beyond words...it took flight school to build me back up again....
As Bunk and Brett have already mentioned, LEADERSHIP is a learning process, you don't just walk out of any commissioning source (EVEN MUSTANGS!!!) and instantly become an effective leader. I bet you dwelled on this for awhile, and thought this scenario through, haven't you? And next time you are confronted with this, or other leadership challenges, you will be better prepared. Bottom line here, I am continually amazed at how poorly the aviation community trains it's Officers to be leaders. One BOLTC class, and 3 years until you oversee a branch doesn't make you a leader. You are a damn fine pilot or nfo by the time you are winged, but sadlly the rest is lacking. Compare that with an ENS running 1st LT on his/her first ship, definitely an eye opener.
Big flick, and I am not busting on you, but you are an Officer, you have the inherent rank and authority, don't be afraid to use it! Humor, and joking is all good and well, and helps in many instances to build esprit-de-corp, or getting the mission done. But, there are many CPOs and Es that when they sense weakness, will walk all over you. Hey, it happened, learn from it. But saying that you don't run the Div, and the CPO can do it without you, well ****, how did you let yourself get so far removed from the process? Granted, this is probably a marginal stash position during the training pipeline, and the CPO sees dozen freshly minted ENS coming through. But I sure as hell know that he would remember the one that pulled him into YOUR office, and started getting into his ****. CO's don't want ineffectual JOs. They KNOW and EXPECT you to make mistakes, but they also expect you to learn from them. CPOs are charged with developing and bringing along ENS and making them better leaders. Call the next CPO that tries to marginalize you on that, there is a lot of pride in being a Chief, and making you a better officer is part of it.
Finally, when you are put in charge of a branch or div, etc, its YOURS. If something is fvcked up, and it happens, you WILL be the one standing in front of the Skipper, maybe, maybe the CPO will be with you. If the CPO wants to play hardball, fine, game on, you will win. From mandating his/her work hours, removing their approval authority (all paperwork goes through you), being involved in ALL shop meetings, and "gasp" having a DIRECT hand in their FITREP input up the chain. There are CPOs out there that will PUSH you, to see if you are the weak ENS/LTJG/LT.
Recently a 30 year LDO O5 retired, and we got to talking about some of his hard calls or other leadership run ins. He said to me, "John, there are times you just need to flip the switch, and become a dick to get the job done". LEADERS being "nice guys" don't get weapons on target, or whip divs/branches back into shape.
highlyrandom said:
The bottom line here: I respect the hell out of anyone with prior experience; however, I am tempted to draw the line at the suggestion that I will never have pure/noble intentions like those of new RTC graduates....
As mentioned by others, MUSTANGs are just as ****ty leaders as everyone else.
highlyrandom said:
Query: if all it takes to be an expert in the Navy is eight weeks in Chicago and an airman stripe (no offense, just a question), then why don't all officers have to go through that minor hell?
Face it, the diverse backgrounds and training programs is what ads diversity to our Officer Ranks. No single institution is going to provide all the best leaders, and the Navy knows it.
highlyrandom said:
I'm done for now, send the insults and career-ender threats...
No insults brother, you brought up many things that you are trying to work through. Your wardroom and peers are there as YOUR resource to help you through. You DO NOT need to go it alone. Advice (both good and bad) are always there for you, whether the fellow JOs, the CPO/LPO or your DH. It is up to you to develop your leadership style through examination of those around you, to find out what works best. There isn't ANY single best way. This brings up another point, if your wardroom, specifically JOs (JOPA or whatever you want to call it) AREN'T strong and helping each other out, you need to correct it. Lack of communication, infighting and backstabbing are all useless and counterproductive. Helping your peer with vital info he/she needs to know, the power of "one binder", or asking advice from each other helps everyone, and isn't going to hinder you in your pursuit of a better FITREP. Trust me, the Skipper KNOWS who the team players are.
I personally think you are on the right track, but are feeling a bit beat down and frustrated. Shake it off and keep charging. Everything gets "easier" with time, though you will always get new hurdles thrown in your path. Be a LEADER and don't doubt yourself or your authority.
Best of luck,
John