Monday - September 05, 2005
Stepping on the CNO
Skyler's dad has come through with another
recollection of his Viet Nam days.
The
CNO, Admiral Zumwalt, came aboard the USS Belknap DLG 26 in the late summer of
1971, a few months before I was to be transferred. The crew knew he was coming
and we were all in dress whites awaiting his arrival in one hour. I was exiting
the passageway onto the 01 level weather deck when unexpectedly I heard him
gonged aboard, “CNO Arriving”. I was taken aback when he came
climbing up the ladder I was about to descend. What sailor wouldn’t suck
in air when suddenly confronted with the view of the top of a hat whose brim was
completely covered with gold, and those two huge gold shoulder boards with
blinding stars bouncing its way upward. I stepped aside and threw my arm up in
a salute. I had never seen a CNO before, much less almost collided with one. My
thoughts went to how I almost stepped on his head and how would I explain that
to my Captain. What would I tell my wife and children? He ignored me
completely. His aides, scampering closely behind him on the ladder returned my
salute for him like little children emulating the Daddy they wanted to remember
in a better mood. As the CNO passed by I could see his graying long sideburns
and scraggly hairs hanging over his ears, reminding me of the crusty old
Greyhound bus driver I sat behind on my ride from Miami to Jacksonville many
years ago. As he scurried up the next ladder above me I observed his grubby,
off-white uniform and his unpolished, heel worn and scuffed, black shoes, I
thought, what a way to influence the men of the “New Navy”. What a
great way to impress the officers who are required to read his latest Z-Gram (US
Navy Policy Memos issued by Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt) to their crew at morning
quarters and try to keep some semblance of order, tradition and pride in our
chosen profession. (It should be pointed out that the Vietnam War was still in
full force and many of our crew had joined the Navy as a way to stay out of
getting drafted into the Army and getting sent “in-country”.)
Admiral Zumwalt issued 121 directives over four years known as Z-Grams, which
sought to change the way the Navy had done things for almost two centuries. In
most experienced sailors eyes, he was a complete failure and crippled the Navy
immensely.
This CNO visit to the Belknap obviously brought
about Z-Gram #102, Responsibility for Standards of Smartness, which was dated 22
Dec 71. I often wondered just whom they had in mind when his aides drafted this
one. The entire Z-Gram reads:
1.
During recent visits to ships and stations throughout the navy, I have seen
indications that a few of our people are interpreting some of the initiatives we
have introduced as indicative of a shift to a permissive navy, allowing a
relaxation of traditional standards of smartness and cleanliness. In addition, a
recent retention study group unanimously stated that there is a need for further
definition of acceptable grooming and clothing standards so that this matter can
be laid to rest, and all hands can get on with more substantive
issues.
2. As an example, Z-57,
concerning the elimination of demeaning and abrasive regulations, has been
erroneously interpreted by some to suggest that saluting and other military
courtesies can be dispensed with. Also, instances are still observed of men in
public with dirty or torn uniforms, haircuts and beards which are below Z-70
standards. Therefore, I wish to reemphasize once again, that our new initiatives
do not lower our standards of smartness and cleanliness.
3. I have
stressed the need to place increased trust in each individual and want to
continue and expand this recognition of confidence in him. In return each
individual must assume added responsibilities for own appearance, conduct, and
performance. In case the latter has not been fully understood, Commanders and
Commanding Officers must reemphasize to all hands that military courtesies,
including customary saluting and deference to seniors, and adherence to
traditional standards of cleanliness, neatness, and smartness will continue to
be an integral part of our navy as they have been since our beginning. Those
standards are essential elements of a proud and professional force. Commanding
officers continue, as always, to have responsibility and full authority to
enforce these standards.
Go Back to the Start, Do Not Collect $200 Send me your two cents
|
