Navy Ethos: Tradition in a Changing World

  While I was serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve, the Navy Ethos was officially introduced in 2008. Staying true to tradition, the U.S. Navy was the last of the military branches to establish an ethos statement, following the U.S. Army, which created theirs in 1983. The Navy ethos hasn’t changed since its introduction in 2008, while other branches have made some updates or adjustments during 2019-2020. 

The Navy Ethos 

We are the United States Navy, our nation’s sea power— 

ready guardians of peace, victorious in war. 

We are professional Sailors and Civilians—a diverse and agile force exemplifying the 

highest standards of service to our nation, at home and abroad, at sea and ashore. 

Integrity is the foundation of our conduct; 

respect for others is fundamental to our character; 

decisive leadership is crucial to our success.

We are a team, disciplined and well-prepared, committed to mission accomplishment. 

We do not waver in our dedication and accountability to our Shipmates and families. We 

are patriots, forged by the Navy’s Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. 

In times of war and peace, our actions reflect our proud heritage and tradition. 

We defend our Nation and prevail in the face of adversity with strength, 

determination, and dignity. 

We are the United States Navy. 

Sailor's Creed

I am a United States Sailor.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. 

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world. 

I proudly serve my Navy combat team with honor, courage, and commitment.

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

 Memorize the Creed as you'll find yourself reciting it as often as a public school student saying the pledge of allegiance. 

Timeline
1993, "Blue Ribbon Recruit Training Panel," final edits Admiral Frank Kelso
1994 CNO Jeremy Boorda approved replacing "bluejacket," with "Navy."
1997 Changed "my superiors" to "those appointed over me."

To aid in memorizing the bold are your keys and realize there are 5 statements for readability, 6 sentences, for a total of 79 words. 

Read about the Sailors Creed at Naval Heritage and History Command

Equal Opportunity

Guidance to follow:

Sailors are our most precious resource. To ensure mission readiness, every member of the DoN must be afforded an equal opportunity to become a productive member of the Navy team. Unprofessional behavior destroys trust and confidence among leaders and shipmates, erodes unit cohesion and combat readiness, and is contrary to our values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. While equal opportunity is a minimum legal requirement, the Navy further believes that by valuing people's differences, our organization emphasizes and utilizes the creative solutions those differences provide.

-from the USN EEO

Quote Collection from Joint Professional Military Education (JPME I)

War is at best barbarism. War is hell. 

-William Tecumseh Sherman

This dreadful alternative, of deserting our country in the extremist hour of her distress or turning our arms agains it (which is the apparent object unless Congress can be compelled into instant compliance) has something so shocking in it that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! What can this writer have in view by recommending such measures? Can he be a friend of the army? Can he be a friend to this country? Rather is he not an insidious foe, some emissary, perhaps, from New York, plotting the ruin of both by sowing the seeds of discord and separation between the civil and military powers of the continent?

-George Washington addressing disgruntled officers who had issued demands to Congress, known as the Newburgh Conspiracy (1783

A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defense against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people. 

-James Madison, 1787

Courage

Quote from the Art of War

A Message to Garcia

Before becoming the basis for two motion pictures, A Message to Garcia was written as an inspirational essay by Elbert Hubbard. This popular work is about a soldier who takes the initiative to accomplish a daunting and difficult task without questions or objections and graciously completes the task. Often used in business and life as a motivational example to readers of applying a positive attitude towards achieving a successful life.

Reading Goal Disclaimer: I chose this book when realizing my annual track was behind schedule.
I read, “A Message to Garcia,” on an overnight watch in the Middle East during the course of a hot tea and brownie. The book is in our marine brigade’s library shelf as being a requirement on the Commandant’s professional reading list. This is my second reading as I originally came across it during my studies at the U.S. Naval War College.
While it doesn’t go into detail in how Rowan gets the message delivered to Garcia it does instill values that received immediate recognition. My yearning for adventure really would like to have learned Rowan’s story, anyhow, not what this book is about. The circulation phenomena is impressive in how many reprints and translation to all languages of the world. In this reading I took a few minutes to research a few leads including the author, East Aurora, New York, Roycrofters, and the sinking of the Lusitania. Very interesting findings indeed; inspiring me to read more of Elbert Hubbard and to learn more of this period and it's history.

Read the book is my recommendation to better understand greater society in how this story played out during it’s time and persists to this day.

Reference:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62845.A_Message_to_Garcia?from_search=true