Wharf Rat's Home - A Shipmate Who Never Made it to Sea.

'It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'

Preserving a piece of US Maritime History - invaluable

The USS Olympia is a cruiser that fought in the Spanish American War in 1898 and has been preserved in Philadelphia. She's a one of a kind ship, a national historic monument, and in danger. She needs approximately $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. If you have the resources, or connections to those resources, please consider helping. (full disclosure - there is no financial benefit to me to ask the question - we need to save this ship for posterity). Please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com if you have additional questions.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Leadership memo cites San Antonio fatality - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Leadership memo cites San Antonio fatality - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times Question - if bad things happen due to the fact that the US Navy is involved in risky situations - and someone gets hurt or dies, does that always involve removing the superior officers? At what point does the Captain and XO trust that their staff does their jobs correctly? It seems like we always nail the leaders when their staff messes up. And yet - I understand that the Captain is at all times responsible for everything. But where is the balance because we have literally paid millions to train captains of warships, only to lose their careers when someone else fails. I struggle with all of this.........