Retention

[spekkio]

I'm not sure how many AD guys visit this site, but I figure it couldn't hurt to post this here.

Apparently retention is a hot-topic these days, and has been brought to the forefront by this blog post. While much of it is aviation-centric (it was written by a pilot), it does shed some light of issues that are pervading the fleet, namely high optempo and the negative perception that COs and Major Commanders care more about jeapordizing their own careers than doing the right thing. Even the CNP has taken notice, although strangely missing from a post soliciticing feedback is any contact information to provide it.

I see a lot of parallels to what ADM Richardson identified as COMSUBFOR and tried to fix. Unfortunately, I see this initiative going much the same way, if for no other reason than because it's really difficult to institute a large culture shift in a span of just 3-4 years while holding a billet.

[BuddyThePug]

Thanks for linking to the USNI article. I actually got more from the comments then the article, especially the last one from "Someone Who Cares".

[Starkist]

Does this apply to nukes? Retention rates are historically relatively low compared to the rest of the fleet (based on ESRB's and auto promotes for officers).  Perhaps if anything, it will shine a much needed light on quality of life for nukes... The navy changed relatively dramatically during my tenure, I can't imagine how its going to be 10 years from now.

[spekkio]

Does this apply to nukes? Retention rates are historically relatively low compared to the rest of the fleet (based on ESRB's and auto promotes for officers).  Perhaps if anything, it will shine a much needed light on quality of life for nukes... The navy changed relatively dramatically during my tenure, I can't imagine how its going to be 10 years from now.

Yes, but indirectly.

Ask anyone on the Stennis not too long ago when they came back from deployment, did a compressed maintenance period, and went right back on deployment. Anyone who was a nuke during that time might as well have been at sea for 24 mo straight.