CNO Discusses Navy's Journey into Future During Groton Visit

Since 08-26-04

From NSL UPDATE 08-20-2004

CNO Discusses Navy's Journey into Future During Groton Visit
By Journalist 3rd Class Woody Paschall, Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark visited “the first and finest” of the submarine force Aug. 17 during a trip to Navy Region Northeast headquarters and Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London, Conn., Aug. 17. During his visit, the CNO spoke to Commander, Navy Region Northeast (CNRNE) leaders, local commanding officers (CO) and command master chiefs (CMC), and he toured USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and PCU Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) at General Dynamics Electric Boat of Groton, Conn.

After speaking to COs, CMCs and chiefs of the boat, Clark praised the performance of the submarine force during Summer Pulse ’04, a test of the Navy’s new Fleet Response Plan that sent seven carrier strike groups ‘surge’-deployed around the world this summer. Two SUBASE New London submarines took part in the operation - USS Miami (SSN 755) and USS Albuquerque (SSN 706). “Albuquerque, along with the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) strike group was fresh out of the maintenance cycle, so they were what we would call emergency deployers,” said CNO. “We were testing this concept, and they performed brilliantly.”

Clark also pointed to the changing and increasingly important role the submarine force will play in the future Navy, with their ability to influence events during the pre-hostilities phase of future conflicts. “We created new roles for submarines in the creation of the expeditionary strike groups operating with the Marines, and with the amphibious forces to be able to project more offensive punch with the Tomahawk capability, and the surveillance capabilities the submarine forces bring to bear,” CNO said.

“That is what tomorrow is about for the U.S. Navy - the ability to project credible combat power to the far corners of the earth, demonstrating the sovereignty of the United States of America, options for the president anywhere at anytime, around the world and around the clock. That’s what Summer Pulse ’04 was demonstrating,” Clark said.

Earlier in the day, Clark spoke to CNRNE leaders to get ideas on new ways the Navy can operate more effectively and efficiently. In an interview later, he said these visits are vital because Navy Region commanders are responsible for large investments of Navy resources. Meetings with Echelon II and III commanders are where effectiveness and efficiencies are sought out and identified. “We’re on a journey. The journey started with regionalization a few years ago. This was how we decided to become more productive and more effective,” said Clark. “Commander, Naval Installations (CNI) and the regional commanders are now responsible for reducing redundancies throughout all our installations.”

CNI, which stood up almost a year ago, and Navy Regions are part of the Navy’s Sea Enterprise initiative, which has accounted for more than $40 billion in savings for the Navy thus far. CNO said Sea Enterprise helps the Navy redirect these and other resources to help create the Navy needed in the 21st century. As Clark spoke about the effectiveness of CNI, the regions and the ships of the fleet, he noted that what makes the future of the Navy possible is the institution’s most valuable resource - Sailors. “We can have the greatest technology in the world, and we do,” CNO said. “But none of it matters without the genius of our people.”

His personal project for his fifth year in office is developing a 21st Century Human Capital Strategy to grow and develop the Navy’s future leaders, and ensure the Navy is prepared to meet the challenges ahead. “We are examining - not just for Sailors, but for active and reserve, officer and enlisted, for the civilian sector and the contractor segment - what the right mix of individuals that creates the right capabilities for us in the future, and how do we compete in the manpower marketplace of the 21st century. That causes us to challenge our assumptions of where we are today.”

“I believe we are living in incredible times, a great time to serve, and that in the years to come, we will look back on this time and we will call this one of the most important times in our history,” said Clark.