MCPON Minutes

MCPON Minute is the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy's remarks on current issues facing sailors and airs each week during the Navy Marine Corps News Broadcast and on the Direct to Sailor Television Channel. Date listed is scheduled viewing date.   

MCPON Minute Video

Week of 17 Oct 2004 - Leadership

Week of 10 Oct 2004 - Training

Week of 3 Oct 2004 - Safety

MCPON Minute Text

Week of 17 Oct 2004 - Leadership

One of the expectations I have of every Sailor, at every level, is to be a leader. No matter what your rank, or job may be, you have an opportunity to lead. Someone once said, "Leadership is action, not position." It doesn't matter if you are an E-3 or an O-3, in our Navy, every Sailor is given the chance to be a leader - it's what you do with that opportunity that defines your success. We have all seen good and bad examples of leadership...so what kind of example are you? As leaders it's our job to give support and direction, while guiding those we lead to always strive to the next level. You need to make sure that you're training them, that you're developing their skills, and that you're helping them to become the type of Sailors our Navy needs today...and who will lead us in the future. Continue to be the kind of leader that your shipmates want to follow, and I'll see you next week.

Week of 10 Oct 2004 - Training

Many of us have had the experience of being tasked with a job,..maybe handed a manual,..and told to, "Make it happen." Although Sailors are resourceful and will get any job done no matter what the circumstance, you'd probably agree that nothing can replace hands-on, personal training. That's why I feel so strongly about the importance of training your relief. Carrying out our mission is and will always be, our number one priority. You have the responsibility of ensuring your relief has a clear understanding of what that mission is, and how his or her job helps accomplish the mission. By sharing with them your lessons-learned, what's worked for you, and most importantly -- your experience in the job, you can set them up for success. No one has gotten to where they are, without the help and guidance of someone along the way. Continue to look out for your shipmates, and I'll see you next week.

Week of 3 Oct 2004 - Safety

Our Navy's capability today is unmatched anywhere in the world. The mission that you and your shipmates carry out, and the way we accomplish our mission, challenges some of the mindsets of the past.  But that doesn't mean Sailors ever relegate operational risk management or situational awareness to the back-burner.  Mishaps annually cost the Navy millions of dollars, but the lost lives or injuries are truly irreplaceable losses.  Practice situational awareness, and look out for your shipmates...this means speaking up when you witness unsafe practices or observe unsafe equipment.  It means being another set of eyes for your shipmate, and intervening when proper procedures are being avoided or ignored.  As part of the Navy's 50 percent mishap-reduction campaign, we must all dramatically shift the way we view safety.  The result of mishaps not only negatively affects combat readiness, but brings tragedy to families.  And every one of us has the power to prevent that.  

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