Enhancing Submarine Operational Relevance: A Leadership Challenge
Abstract
The submarines of the U.S. Navy have normally been utilized as independent strategic assets throughout the history of the force. This vision of submarine operations must change. As the military continues to shift to operations focused on joint capabilities, the submarine force must break from the closed, protective, and risk averse culture of its past and push forward to increase its relevance to the operational commander. This break from the past must be embraced and led from the top. This paper begins with a brief background to provide the reader with the historical underpinnings of the problem as well as some insight into the development of today's submarine culture. The author then discusses the various problems inherent in submarine operations and culture, and highlights specific roadblocks that continue to prevent these problems from being addressed. He then explores the possibility that the problem really isn't a submarine force leadership problem, but a problem rooted in the operational commander's utilization of submarines. He concludes with several recommendations for change.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 23, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA484341
Entities
People
- Michael J. Daigle Jr.
Organizations
- Naval War College