Some years ago a Marine Corps colonel was at an overseas airbase waiting for a MAC flight back to the States. Also waiting for a flight was a young Naval aviator. The colonel, a pilot as well, struck up a conversation during which the younger aviator revealed he was on his way to a court-martial. The colonel had to ask the obvious question, "What did you do, son?" In the quiet of that waiting room, the young aviator told his story.
He was part of a 2-man crew on an A-6 Intruder, an attack aircraft designed as a precision bomber. For training purposes, these crews made practice runs on various ships in their task force while they were underway. During one of these runs, this A-6 crew had an accidental ordinance release. Fortunately, no one was injured and there was no damage to the task force.
Unfortunately, the 2 crewmen went into CYA mode, discussing how they were going to cover up this very serious blunder. They didn't realize they were discussing this over an open channel, and the entire scheme was heard by the carrier's control room. Upon landing, they were ordered to report to the ship's air boss, XO, and captain. Their flight status was immediately revoked, and they were charged with a multitude of offenses.
The colonel in this story was my executive officer (XO) while I was a midshipman at Auburn University, and he shared this incident during an address to the entire regiment. Before ending his presentation, the XO paused, looking around the auditorium at the future officer corps of the US Navy and Marine Corps. He then delivered this stern admonishment, "Courage. Integrity. Honor. These aren't character traits you develop when you get to the fleet - you bring them with you."
Thirty years later his words still resonate and are easily in the top 10 most profound statements spoken in my presence.
Are good leaders made, or are they born? Are some people blessed with a congenital quality that inspires others to perform above and beyond? I actually called this the "John Wayne Effect" in a Naval leadership class and received multiple nods of agreement from my classmates. Considering my chosen career path, one of my overriding concerns was that I'd missed the line when they were handing out the "Duke" leadership gene. The XO's words were encouraging. Leadership traits could indeed be fostered if the work is put in, regardless of an innate "John Wayne Effect".
In the intervening decades, I've tried to live this by standing in the gap for my teams, being an active advocate for them as much as I'm able. The words from my old XO have served me well as an internal creed. It's not always been easy, and sometimes it takes a toll. But it's the job. And the job takes courage, integrity, and honor.
Rock-tober out.
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