Under Way for Deployment
Deployment Readiness and Launch
On June 18, 1999, the USS Santa Fe was fully prepared and deployed from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, two weeks ahead of schedule. The submarine was fully equipped and manned, emphasizing the readiness and eagerness of the 135 sailors aboard who were headed for a six-month deployment across the Pacific to the Middle East.
Emotional and Strategic Aspects of Departure
As the submarine departed, Captain Marquet reflected on his responsibility to safely lead his crew through their mission and return them to their families. This realization reinforced his dedication to the crew’s safety and the mission’s success.
Crew Engagement and Personal Development
Lieutenant Commander Rick Panlilio suggested that each crew member should set personal goals for development during the deployment such as taking courses or reading books. This was in addition to the collective ship-wide goals, which included themes of empowerment, efficiency, and tactical excellence.
Communication of Goals and Objectives
Captain Marquet decided to publicly announce these goals to both the crew and their superiors by sending a message outlining the mission’s focus areas: - Empowerment: Initiatives like advancement exam preparation and physical conditioning. - Efficiency: Improvements in various operational aspects, including drill scenarios and meal services. - Tactical Excellence: Enhancing combat capabilities and support functions.
Addressing Crew Advancement and Exam Performance
The poor results of the crew's advancement exams prompted a detailed analysis of the factors contributing to exam performance. This revealed that the examination scores were significantly impacting advancement opportunities. In response, focused training and practice exams were implemented to better prepare the crew, integrating these into the regular operations of the submarine.
Personal Challenges and Leadership Decisions
- Transfer of Personnel due to Personal Reasons: The transfer of the current Executive Officer (XO) due to a family illness and the replacement with a less experienced one required justification and strategic handling.
- Compassionate Leadership Decisions: Captain Marquet also planned a strategic transfer for Rick Panlilio, the engineer, to enable him to be present at his child’s birth, demonstrating a commitment to taking care of his crew's personal needs.
Summary of Leadership Mechanisms and Effects
This chapter illustrates the application of the leadership mechanism Build Trust and Take Care of Your People, which emphasizes the importance of supporting the crew’s professional and personal growth. The mechanism promotes clarity and shows how clear communication and support can enhance crew morale and operational efficiency.
Questions to Consider
- What goals do you and your team aim to accomplish?
- As a leader, how can you facilitate your team's professional and personal achievements?
- Are the necessary tools and opportunities available to your team to reach these goals?
- How do you handle the consequences of your team's actions, and are you shielding them from these consequences unnecessarily?