National Contract Management Association (NCMA)’s Post

6 years enlisted in the Marine Corps & 15 years as an Army Officer (3x Battalion S3 Operations Officer/Project Manager), taught me the unequivocal value of preparatory commands. Whether marching troops from A to B as a Sergeant or writing out a detailed order & timeline for 2,500 personnel, preparatory commands/warning orders (WARNO) are essential for successful execution of the mission. As an S3 primary in 3 different organizations, one of my favorite sayings was, "A person is smart but people are stupid. if you want a group of people to do what you want, and do it well the first time, you have to dummy proof it by warning them what you plan to do in summary (express your intent, critical actions, & end state), put this in writing (Order) using simple language and specific instructions by phase, & finally provide a detailed timeline with milestones (sync matrix) that will serve as a roadmap to keep everyone aligned. In a group, humans mill around until someone gets their attention and tells them what's coming before it gets there. If it takes a few seconds for a military formation to get the drift, a civilian gaggle takes an hour." But it all starts with that WARNO, that critical preparatory command. Marines know how to march. We spend 2 weeks in boot camp just marching. Yet, without a preparatory command, even the best Marines will struggle to execute as one. If you want to execute well, you need to start off on the right foot, & you do this by always issuing preparatory commands. As a platoon leader in combat, as a good S3, as a company Commander, I learned that in order for the mission to go well, a lot depended on the quality of my initial WARNO / preparatory command. Good initial sync & great outcomes are influenced by solid preparatory commands. "In the military, orders given by a senior to a junior member are typically given in two parts: the preparatory command which is intended to ready you for action; and the command of execution which tells you when to take action." "When people know where they are supposed to go & when they are supposed to move, it is easy to get people from one place to another or to accomplish a specific task. When leaders skip the preparatory command and go to straight to the command of execution, confusion can ensue if it isn’t entirely clear what people are supposed to do. As a leader, think carefully about what you do to prepare people for action. What do you do to get their attention? Clear your throat? If you are a conductor, you might tap the sheet music stand with your baton. Or you may rise from a seated position in a meeting. The signals we give to people can have a major impact on how people react to us. Consideration of how thoughts are transferred from one person to another, especially if an action is required, can impact your success." #WARNO #Ordersprocess #Preparatorycommand #Sync #Bestbusinesspractice #PM #S3 #Projectmanagement #USMC #USA #Officership #Organizationalleadership

Absurd. CMOW, at least MSOC, changes the way Navy officers and senior SNCOs think. That’s education, not training. MSOC actually transforms tacticians into officers at the front end of being able to employ Operational Art with some agility atop newly learned ideas and approaches. When they hit the Fleets, many report that they often get crushed by 0-6s and FOs who have spent their entire career excelling at the tactical level within their tribe and are pejorative towards things like the NPP and how to wield it as a weapon. It seems, the author has no idea what CMOW does. If the author thinks that the JPME courses are delivering what Combatant Commanders need from graduates of the Naval War College, I think he is also off base. I also think the Navy doesn’t ask or, maybe until this CNO, doesn’t care. One, the Navy doesn’t select NWC attendees like the other services do. No tie to promotion or command. Rare follow on orders to a Joint Command or MOC in most cases. Thus, I conclude the US Navy Culture has an anti-education bias. Their certifications substantiate this. The warfare tribes don’t reward attendance. I got a Masters from the NWC. Rather happy about it. However, NWC was only of value to me because I came with planning experience, understood the OLOW, Joint Factors, Functions, and Principles. Not so for most Navy Officers. So, if the NWC wants to be a Masters Program, and a College like Brown, so be it. I hope not. The Naval WAR College must balance its curriculum by establishing a laser focus on Naval Warfare, balancing the theory of pure PhDs with the warfighting experience of well educated and degreed ‘Professors of Practice,’ and get the College on a war footing. Now.

MISSION, FUNCTIONS AND TASKS OF THE U.S. NAVAL WAR COLLEGE OPNAVINST 5450.207E 18 May 2021 https://lnkd.in/eyawHT5e Mission. The mission of NAVWARCOL is to:  a. Educate and Develop Leaders. ... b. Support Defining the Future Navy and Associated Roles and Missions. ... c. Support the Navy During an Era of Great Power Competition. ... d. Strengthen Global Maritime Partnerships. ... e. Promote Ethical Leadership Across the Force. ...

In his book Spec Ops, former U.S. Navy SEAL Admiral William H. McRaven identifies six principles that he believes are essential for the success of special operations, or "spec ops": Simplicity: In planning  Security: In preparation  Repetition: In preparation  Surprise: In execution  Speed: In execution  Purpose: In execution McRaven believes that these principles are so important that if one is overlooked, the mission is likely to fail. He also notes that each mission has its own unique constraints, so it may not be possible to maximize all six principles at once. In private industry (be profitable or die) I believe SPEED is where most service lines and/or companies fail. If you can't bring it to market quickly by being agile and nimble, you fail. Vision it, plan it, build it, and then overthink it or under resource it and it dies. (read service line or company dies). There remains much to be learned from our military. Lessons learned, lessons applied. Adapt or die.

✅ New CO Smartbook – How You Can Support the Recruiting Mission As Office of the Chief of Naval Operations directed, every command in the Navy has been tasked with finding, coaching, and mentoring at least one quality recruit candidate. In order to recruit the next generation of Sailors for the Navy, the Navy Recruiting Command has implemented the Every Sailor a Recruiter (ESaR) program. The goal of the program is for currently serving Sailors to share experiences in the Navy with others. Your stories and experiences are meaningful and could be why someone chooses military service. Senior Navy leaders continuously encourage all Sailors, past and present, to support recruiting efforts. To empower command leaders, Navy Recruiting Command recently released a new resource for understanding and implementing the EsAR program at their command. It’s the Every Sailor a Recruiter: Commanding Officers Smartbook. This playbook represents an overview of specific recruiting assistance programs and resources for reaching and influencing potential future Sailors. 📌 Need guidance on recruiting efforts - all in one place? Read Every Sailor A Recruiter: Commanding Officers Smartbook by visiting: https://lnkd.in/djxSvu6v Leaders, share the playbook above with your teams ☝️

Global Military Leadership: Insights into Command Structures and Elite Academies Key Military Powers and Their Commanders United States: Command and ControlAt the helm of the United States military is the President, acting as the Commander-in-Chief, currently Joe Biden. The defense operations are further overseen by the Secretary of Defense and the strategic military advice is provided by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighting a robust leadership structure designed to maintain global dominance. Russia: Centralized AuthorityThe Russian military operates under the supreme oversight of its President, Vladimir Putin, who holds the title of Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The Minister of Defense manages the nation’s military endeavors, ensuring operational readiness and strategic planning. China: Party-Led Military OversightChina’s military strategies are intricately linked to its political leadership, with Xi Jinping presiding as the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, aligning military objectives with party goals. India: Unified Military LeadershipThe Indian Armed Forces are under the ceremonial command of the President, with strategic and operational guidance facilitated through the Chief of Defence Staff alongside the individual chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, forming a comprehensive command framework. South Korea: Strategic Defense CommandIn South Korea, the military is commanded by the President, supported by the Minister of National Defense, focusing on maintaining a high state of readiness and regional security integrity. World-Class Military Educational Institutions Prestigious U.S. Academies: Leadership Factories • West Point, Naval, and Air Force Academies: These esteemed institutions are instrumental in cultivating military and leadership skills in the United States, each fostering a tradition of excellence and service. Internationally Renowned Academies • Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (UK) and PLA National Defense University (China): Standouts for military education, these academies train the tactical and strategic leaders of tomorrow, revered for their rigorous training programs and academic standards. European and Asian Educational Pillars • École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr (France) and National Defense Academy of Japan: These historic institutions are crucial in developing military officers capable of operating in diverse global scenarios, emphasizing a blend of tradition and modern tactical education. This detailed examination not only sheds light on the individuals at the forefront of the world’s most formidable military forces but also showcases the elite institutions dedicated to preparing military leaders for future challenges.

🌟 Exciting News Alert! 🌟 I am thrilled to share that I've been featured in an article spotlighting the NNSY Executive Development program, an incredible journey I'm currently undertaking. 🚀 This program has truly been a blessing, offering me unparalleled access to the top executive leaders within our corporation. Through self-reflection and insightful discussions with these leaders, I've had the opportunity to refine my leadership skills, identifying areas of strength and areas for growth. Each interaction has provided invaluable insights into various leadership styles and practical tips that I'm eager to incorporate into my own leadership toolbag. One of the most enlightening revelations has been recognizing the universal challenges faced by shipyards across the board. Despite differing geographies and workforces, we share common struggles, such as finding the balance between autonomy and authority at every level. As leaders, we're not just in the business of maintaining ships; we're in the people business. It's our responsibility to nurture talent, foster collaboration, and remove barriers to success. I am confident that the lessons learned from this program will shape me into a more effective leader for the entirety of my career. 🌟 To my fellow GS 13 or 14 colleagues at NNSY, I highly encourage you to explore the opportunities offered by the Executive Development program. It's an investment in your growth and development that I believe will pay dividends in your leadership journey. I'm more than happy to sit down and share my experiences in greater detail – let's connect! 💬 #LeadershipDevelopment #NNSY #ExecutiveDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipJourney

Financial literacy is a key to a long-term productivity and individual resilience. McKnight, Jalen; and Rosenbaum conducted a phenomenal study and found a wide-open opportunity to improve the well-being and livelihoods of midshipmen! Nice work !!

The Validation Spectrum As I look towards the second half of my life (hopefully), I often think about the past. I have devoted well over half my life to my country, 22 years in the Navy, and now 5 years with the US Coast Guard. I wrote three books. I wrote a chapter for a book on terrorism. I taught for three years at the US Naval Academy. Yet, I often feel like I have not accomplished enough. In other words, I feel like a failure. In some part, that is due to a lack of validation at work. Yes, I am one of those folks that needs to be acknowledged - directly. To be honest, I have no idea why I am like that...I just am. I suppose, in some way, it is because I spent the majority of my professional life in the closet, and I felt like I had to be the best and do everything perfectly to make sure no one ever found the keys to that closet. Of course, not all of your people are like me. Some need no validation at all. Others need very little. Folks like me are somewhere in the middle. I would like more validation, but I am still going to excel without it. How well do you know your people? Do you know where your people fall on the validation spectrum? I made that phrase up, but you get the idea. #leadership #mentorship #USCoastGuard US Navy #validation

⚡ Accelerating Procurement in Uncrewed Systems: Insights from Captain Dennis Monagle⚡ Uncrewed systems and their technologies are evolving at an unprecedented pace, demanding greater speed and agility in procurement processes. Defence iQ had the privilege of interviewing Captain Dennis Monagle, Program Manager of PMA 266 Multi-Mission Tactical UAS at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), who has successfully navigated these challenges. Download the Exclusive Interview Here: https://bit.ly/4bMIKH5 Captain Monagle shares how he accelerated the procurement process while meeting his stakeholders' diverse needs. Key Highlights Include: ⚡ Accelerated Procurement: Discover how Captain Monagle sped up the deployment of MQ-9 Reapers, achieving readiness in record time. 🤝 Effective Partnerships: Learn about the strategic collaborations that played a critical role in overcoming procurement hurdles and ensuring timely delivery. 📈 Procurement Expertise: Gain insights into Captain Monagle's adept use of procurement vehicles to streamline processes and meet fleet demands efficiently. Download the full interview to delve deeper into Captain Monagle’s innovative approaches and strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain exclusive insights from one of the leading experts in military uncrewed systems. #UncrewedSystems #DefenseProcurement #Innovation #MilitaryTechnology #Defenceiq #NAVAIR #Leadership #ProcurementStrategies #EarlyBirdDiscount