The Navy's Charismatic, Eloquent Leader

The United States Navy's presence is extensive and its contributions to our communities and our economy are immense. So it was a treat for the San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board to meet with Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead and be reassured that the Navy has a charismatic leader who is intent on doing right by the men and women he calls "my sailors."

In the interview, Roughead offered a thoughtful overview of the Navy's crucial role in protecting U.S. interests around the world. "We will continue to see areas of disorder in the world, areas ... where the U.S. will want to influence events that are favorable to us. ... But the sensitivity with regard to sovereignty by nations is only going to become more acute. And the idea of responding and having to put foreign forces on someone else's soil will become a more sensitive issue. And what the Navy and Marine Corps bring is the ability to have that force mobile, to be able to move it quickly and agilely and to remain offshore. And I think that's going to become extraordinarily important," he said.

Roughead's comments about the likely coming repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" were also reassuring. A process is under way in which Navy personnel are being asked to share their opinions about the possible change, and eventually Roughead will report his findings to his superiors.

This process seems intended to get those in the Navy to think en masse about and prepare for the possibility of gays serving openly. That makes a lot of sense. And should the status quo change, the admiral said, "We obey the laws of the land and there's no question in my mind that if this law changes then we will obey the law of the land and our sailors will be professional and they will be considerate and they will treat people with dignity."

Roughead was particularly eloquent when asked to comment on a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling throwing out a law that made it a crime to falsely claim to have won military honors.

"I believe that the awards that our young men and women receive for the service that they perform for their country are badges of honor. And it's not just a medal that may be given for heroism or valor. Young men and women come into the Navy and they do things that are pretty extraordinary. And they serve in places and they go do things and they separate themselves from their families and they make sacrifices in their personal and sometimes in their professional lives. And what our young men and women have as a story that tells that is what they wear on their chest. And I think that that is something that should be displayed and treasured as a matter of honor," he said.

Well said, Admiral Roughead.

REPRINTED FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.

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