It was rewarding to be a participant.
The unit, Naval Sea Systems Command Detachment 1606, has enlisted and officer personnel, women and men, minorities and majorities in its membership.
The standdown was run along the lines suggested by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Boorda. "The ship" was the operational metaphor and the crew engaged in a dialog that was far reaching and profound. Everyone contributed - some with surprisingly open, uncensored comments.
The schedule was for Saturday from 0900 to 1200: but the discussion in the large, more formal group continued to 1330 - through lunch. And then continued in random smaller groups for expanded occasional comments for the rest of the weekend.
I can only give a scattering of topics here and will cast them in a value-neutral sense - not necessarily the way they were discussed.
What is the role of the Navy in the United States - in the world?
How do media and the Navy interact?
How do incidents in the other services compare to Navy episodes?
What has been the long term trend of morality in Naval service from our British heritage and now in the United States?
What is the leadership challenge of "one strike and you're out"?
What are the global advantages and disadvantages of diversity-based recruitment, hiring, and promotion in the United States?
What is the long-term effect upon a democracy when political correctness is widely practiced?
We came to few conclusions except on simple things. The wider issues do not have a single solution or even agreement on how the issues should be cast.
For me it was like being in a graduate seminar. Full of interesting people with a viewpoint and the articulation to express it. The lessons learned were useful for the dual settings that Naval Reservists all live in - our Navy calling and our civilian job.
Thank you, Admiral Boorda, for stimulating this Total Navy experience. An added factor was that we all knew the same discussions were being held throughout our Navy. Remember, it is "our Navy." We have to take care of it because it has to last a long time.