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\nForce Master Chief Kevin Goodrich (L) listens in as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russ Smith speaks at a senior enlisted panel during a Sea-Air-Space session. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Villegas\/Navy)<\/p>\n
\nForce Master Chief Kevin Goodrich (L) listens in as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russ Smith speaks at a senior enlisted panel during a Sea-Air-Space session. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Villegas\/Navy)<\/p>\n
Sea stories have been around as long as Sailors have, and serve to entertain, amuse, and when done well to teach. Passing of wisdom from the salty veterans to the young pups wrapped in an entertaining yarn is a bit of an art form, though. MCPON Smith is wisely encouraging the Goat Locker* to use this format in reaching the more junior enlisted, engaging them in discussion in a relaxed atmosphere. <\/p>\n
There are certain rules when telling a Sea Story- there must be a lesson learned, usually in a painful or ridiculous manner, the teller is never the butt of the yarn but an observer, and then relates whatever the point of the Sea Story is, how it should have been correctly performed. Since Fairy Tales start with “Once upon a time” true Sea Stories always begin with…<\/p>\n
Now this ain’t no shit.<\/p>\n
By: Mark D. Faram <\/strong>
\nTo the Navy\u2019s top enlisted sailor, the greatest challenge facing the Navy\u2019s enlisted workforce is simply keeping sailors focused on preparing for \u201cblue water\u201d warfare.<\/p>\nSpeaking as a part of a senior enlisted panel at the Navy League\u2019s Sea-Air-Space confab on Tuesday, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russ Smith called on fellow members of the Goat Locker to work hard to train their sailors for warfare on the high seas against peer rivals.<\/p>\n
And they can begin by telling sea stories, which he sees as engaging \u201ceyeball to eyeball\u201d discussions between leaders and their sailors that will make junior enlisted personnel \u201cunderstand that there is something coming that they need to get ready for, that war will come most likely in their generation and they need to be prepared to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chiefs must help them balance and manage their careers but their bedrock duty is to make sure that sailors know their ratings and what they\u2019re expected to do, especially in combat.<\/p>\n
Smith believes that a key teaching tool is sharing \u201cstories that some of us older folks have with our experiences and really painting it in a realistic fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n
MCPON painted a grisly picture of war at sea, with a \u201cfirst missile hit that\u2019s going to take out three or 400 sailors on a carrier.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill it be painful? Yes. Will there be lessons learned? Yes. Will some fail? Yes. And will others rise that you did not expect? Absolutely,\u201d Smith told the audience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Did I mention telling Sea Stories is thirsty work? The rest of the article may be read here: Navy Times<\/a><\/p>\n
*Goat Locker- Chief’s quarters on board. Don’t ask what goes on there, but if given the honor to dine with the Chiefs, accept and show appreciation- the Chiefs have the best chow on board.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"