United States Navy Public Affairs Alumni Association

Volume 10 Issue 2 April 2004 It’s Not Your Father’s Navy Anymore Realigning and Re-purposing to Meet Today’s Realities

President Announced During February Public Affairs Symposium Jim Finkelstein Sweeping changes that mean the Centers Vice Presidents “old Navy” will look even older to most ! Opening of a new Navy Office of Jim Mathews USNPAAA members were announced Information in Mid-America Dave Thomas during the 2004 Navy public affairs ! Increased professional development Secretary training symposium held in February. opportunities for officers Christine Miller This issue of SIGHTINGS explains ! Greater use of civilians in team some of the changes coming in the public affairs Treasurer active-duty public affairs force. Changes ! Zero-based review of CHINFO- Erick Kanter for naval reserve programs, which will sponsored enlisted ratings. Board Members see a 30 percent reduction in reserve ! Active-Reserve integration and Chris Baumann PAO billets and elimination of 25 career management Deborah Burnette reserve public affairs units, will be “As we face the global war on Ed Castillo Norma Connelly discussed in the next issue. terrorism and the Navy adapts to meet Dave Cullen Navy Chief of Information Rear those changes with a flexible and Donald Dvornik Admiral “T” McCreary outlined the surgeable force, we need to have a Jack Garrow forthcoming changes in what was flexible, surgeable public affairs team to Brian Gray Larry Hamilton termed a “Way Ahead” address to carry the story of our Navy to the public Mary Hanson symposium participants. The and to our sailors,” McCreary said. “The Brayton Harris recommendations resulted from Tiger only way to do this is to better align Peter Litrenta Teams that were tasked with creating with the operational forces.” Jim McCain Jim Noone “the most perfect world for public Harry Padgett affairs,” McCreary said. Team meetings Joint Public Affairs Support Element Steve Pietropaoli began in August, shortly after McCreary The Joint Public Affairs Support Edward Shackelford became Chief of Information. The Element (PASE), sponsored by the Joint Greg Slavonic George Vercessi changes are designed to transform team Forces Command in Norfolk, will Paul Weishaupt public affairs into a flexible, surge-ready provide joint public affairs teams to force for the operational Navy. support training, exercises and Webmaster “The mission of the Navy is contingencies. Such teams could deploy Alan Goldstein preparing for war and fighting wars,” as fully formed units or as detachments, Membership Chair McCreary said. “If we don’t know how according to Captain Greg Smith, Tom Coldwell to play, we ought to just put on our support element director. JPASE units coats, go home and do something else will emphasize the integration of public Sightings Editor with our lives.” affairs and operational planing. Brian Gray Among the changes announced during the symposium: Continued Page 8 ! Creation of a new Joint Public Affairs Support Element ! Opening of Fleet Public Affairs View from the Bridge pneumonia Jan. 8 in Fallbrook, Calif. He was 83. As we continue to remember our very successful Admiral Garrick was born in New Jersey, but at January reunion, our thoughts remain with Norma an early age moved with his mother to Los Angeles, Connelly and her personal struggle since following the death of his father. In the late 1930s experiencing a brain aneurysm in San Diego. She he set a cycling record in a race from Los Angeles spent well over a month in surgical intensive care in to San Diego. California and was brought back to Virginia on a According to an obituary published in the SAN civilian medical evacuation aircraft a few weeks DIEGO UNION, Garrick enlisted in the Navy shortly ago. Recently she was moved to a rehabilitation after Dec. 7, 1941, hoping to become a pilot. Poor hospital where staff hopes treatment will improve vision kept him out of the aviation programs but his her condition. It has been a nightmare for Norma journalism training from the University of Southern and her family, so please keep her in your prayers. California was put to good use as an enlisted Beginning with this issue of SIGHTINGS we combat correspondent on the staff of Admiral have a new editor. Brian Gray has taken over this Chester Nimitz. He served four years on active duty, notoriously “low paying” chore for the good of the working with civilian press and supervising the order. Brian is a disciplined, strong writer/editor— filming of newsreels, while advancing from just what we need to keep our newsletter on track. I Yeoman Third Class to Chief Yeoman. He received hope you all will let him know you appreciate his his commission in the Naval Reserve in 1948. He good work. John Hoshko is “retiring” after helping continued in the reserves following the war and was deliver 15 issues to the membership. Our sincere awarded the Legion of Merit upon his retirement in thanks to John for a job superbly done! And Tom 1980. Coldwell just continues contributing to Garrick pursued a civilian career in public SIGHTINGS and many other aspects of the relations following the war, working for several Association’s well-being. Observing the number of California firms. In 1951, he opened his own volunteer projects Tom is involved with in company, Robert M. Garrick Associates, which retirement makes me tired. He probably should eventually merged with Doremus & Co. He served return to active duty to get some rest. as director of research and policy development for On a sad note, the community lost its first the Reagan-Bush campaign committee in 1980 and, reserve flag officer when Rear Admiral Bob Garrick in 1981, became a deputy counselor to President died late in 2003. Many of you will remember Bob Ronald Reagan, reporting to Edwin Meese. He as a Naval Reserve professional who brought a returned to his civilian occupation after several healthy blend of Navy savvy and civilian public months. relations experience to the public affairs In addition to his professional successes, community. Admiral Garrick owned, bred and raced The Board of Directors is discussing preliminary thoroughbreds that competed on several California plans for Reunion X. Tentative date is September tracks. For 40 years he owned an avocado and 2005 in Newport, R.I. As always, we welcome orange ranch in Bonsall, Calif., which became his comments and recommendations from our principal residence in 1992. members. Building on our strong sense of community Norma Connelly Back in Virginia camaraderie, I hope we will continue to gather for Former CHINFO secretary Norma Connelly, luncheons and other events where it is possible who suffered an aneurysm during the January across the country. USNPAAA reunion, is recovering at a small Jim Finkelstein hospital in Richmond, Va. Norma's address is: Room 110, Health South Rehabilitation Hospital, First Naval Reserve Public Affairs 5700 Fitzhugh Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226. Admiral Dies Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Robert M. Garrick, who became the Navy’s first Friday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays reserve public affairs admiral in 1973, died of and holidays.

Page 2 Sightings Endowment Fund Update from Tom Coldwell In the past, the board sought pledges of $1,000, USNPAAA's endowment fund is well on its way either in a lump sum contribution, as some have to meeting a goal of $100,000. But why is an given, or by installment over a five-year period, as endowment fund even necessary? USNPAAA does the majority of donors have given. Recognizing that not require large sums of money to operate, a $1,000 pledge with fulfillment over five years may generally just enough for printing and postage. be steep for some members, pledges in smaller The answer is that because so many members amounts certainly are welcome. are paid-up Lifers, the association will need more As an incentive for a pledge of $1,000 and an revenue than membership dues will provide in the initial contribution of $200, donors will receive a years ahead. That's why, in 1996, the association one-year subscription to the U.S. Naval Institute's established an endowment fund to produce in popular and authoritative magazine, Naval History. perpetuity enough interest and dividends to Subscriptions of current subscribers will be supplement regular income from annual dues. extended for one year. Thus far 83 members (including three who USNPAAA President Jim Finkelstein urged answered the call issued at Reunion IX) have members who have not yet pledged to consider pledged $76,600; 51 of these already have doing so. “I hope you will be able to help us contributed $1,000 or more. To date, the guarantee the organization's continued health by endowment has received $64,300, a splendid giving to the endowment,” he said. “Please join this achievement, but well short of the $100,000 goal for campaign. I make this appeal to your generosity and pledges and contributions. to your personal commitment to help sustain the At least for now, the stock market is working professional association and fellowship which you nicely for the fund, whose current value is hovering and I and our friends have shared and enjoyed in our around $78,000. But because that figure can waiver, years in the Navy.” the USNPAAA Board is holding fast to the original Members who would like to pledge are urged to goal of $100,000 in pledges and contributions. That notify USNPAAA by email or postal mail. means only $23,400 to go. The following members have pledged and donated to the fund.

Horace Barks Bill Eibert Joe Mancias Mike Schmitt Dave Barron Jim Falk Jack Marriott Erv Sharp Jane Barton Van Ferguson Howard Matson Tim Siggia Chris Baumann Jim Finkelstein Dick McCool Bob Sims Ken Beachler Bob Garrick Walter McKinney Ralph Slawson Steve Becker Jack Garrow Bob Mereness Dave Snyder Woody Berzins Bill Graves Chris Miller Fred Snyder Joe Brazan Brian Gray Jim Nemer Tim Taylor Russ Bufkins Ivan Griswold Tom Oxendine Bill Thompson Jim Bullock Dan Hall Harry Padgett Art Ward Kay Burmeister Larry Hamilton Mike Pandzik Gene Wentz Deborah Burnette Paul Hanley Jerry Pape Buck Wilhide Joe Callo Brayton Harris Dale Patterson Joe Wilkinson Bob Carlisle Ed Hayes Ray Paul Joe Williams Mildred Carson Herb Hetu Lou Perrinello Snyder Ed Castillo John Hoshko Tom Pinard Bill Wilson Tom Coldwell Jim Jenkins Ray Preddy Bob Woodrum Paul Conners Bob Jones Ed Prina Dave Woods Dave Cullen Erick Kanter Carl Ragsdale John Dewey Jolene Keefer Bob Ravitz ...and yours? Rob Donovan Chuck Klee Ray Robinson Donald Dvornik Bob Lewis Phil Rubin

April 2004 Page 3 Recently Sighted . . .

Allen Sherwood recently retired from an administrative position at San Francisco State University and currently serves as a City Commissioner in his hometown of Chico, Calif. He is active in Rotary International and sits on the boards of the North State Symphony and the American Lung Association. Allen travels and writes for several international publications as well as travel sections of local newspapers. His specialty is “ 'the road less traveled” and to that end he has visited and written about much of the Central and South Pacific, including Chuuk State, the Republic of Palau, the Marshall Islands, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Australia (Outback) and New Zealand. Allen Sherwood and Queen Tutui - Aitutaki Island, South Pacific. December 2003. The In 2001 he traveled with Bill Cook Island Maoris no longer eat tourists, but still occasionally like to boil PAOs. Graves to Sydney (and, he reports, so far they have not been invited back). Allen lives in the doggie slammer existing on cold dog food. on a creek with an 80 lb. standard poodle named Allen’s daughter Alicia is getting married in the “Jackson” that shares his simple tastes in food and Cook Islands in September (fewer relatives to have drink (to the horror of the American Kennel Club, to deal with that way). Allen extends an invitation which envisioned better things for this poor dog). to visit Chico (you have to get lost to find it, he Allen is off to explore New Zealand in April, said) for USNPAAA members to whom he doesn't while the long-suffering canine spends three weeks still owe money.

Still More Sightings... Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, Calif; and in Rhode Island at the Naval Undersea Warfare “Vet” Payne of Warwick Neck, R I., reports Center, Newport; the former Seabee Center at that he is a pro bono lobbyist in that state's General Davisville; and the former Naval Air Station at Assembly, helping to insure passage of legislation Quonset Point. that would grant a state income tax exemption to retired military and their surviving spouses. It is Bill Spann checked in from Governor Jeb difficult educating the General Assembly members Bush's administration in Florida. After 12 weeks as on many military issues, Vet says, because only a communications director for the Florida Department small percentage of the group are former military. of State, the Governor's Office asked Bill if he Vet is a USNPAAA Life Member, retired USCGR would take over the same position at the Florida captain and civilian Navy PAO, having served at the Department of Children and Families. Bill reports

Page 4 Sightings that, with 23,000 employees and a PR staff of 10, he great fun. While a sport fishing cruiser for a party of is busier than ever, The pace rivals the news desk on two can be pricey, Jerry and his friend chartered a an average day, he said, but working to better the panga, a small open boat with a knowledgeable quality of life for Florida's youngest, neediest and local captain, for $200. In short order, they landed most vulnerable citizens is a satisfying way to spend seven “sierras,” the local name for wahoo. The one's time. captain filleted a couple of them and the condo Bill reports that Tallahassee has a large retired kitchen grilled them with a garlic sauce for $5 each military community and there's much to do, with all the trimmings. “I thought the trip a fitting especially if you have a dirt bike! Twenty minutes end to a successful Navy reunion,” Jerry added. away are 600,000 acres of National Forest and more motorcycle trails than you can imagine. If you pass Author’s Corner through Tallahassee on I-10, give Bill a call at (850) Bill Tucker has written his first book, “Miracles 251-7825 or (850) 251-9033. Made Possible,” which will be published by Hampton Roads Publishing Company. It is due for James A. McClure recently received a lifetime release to all major bookstores June 28. Bill writes achievement award from the Public Relations that the book is “sort of my autobiography” and Society of America’s (PRSA) Suburban purports to be a self-help book explaining how Chicagoland chapter. Jim was honored for his 35- everybody can get miracles from God, on command. year career in public relations and his service to the “I have been blessed for the past 20 years of my professional organization. life, ever since my wonderful wife died, with Jim heads his own public relations practice, miracles on demand from God,” Bill said. “Now, James A. McClure Communications, and works this might sound crazy, but let me rush to assure with major corporations and associations on you that it's not, and all of the miracles are employee communications, labor relations and documented.” technology issues. He also is a senior consultant Bill explained that he became a fan of Neale with Summit Consulting Group, a Chicago public Donald Walsch, who wrote the New York Times relations agency. Jim began his career as a best seller trilogy “Conversations With God” and newspaper reporter and was a corporate public they became friends. Walsch’s publisher asked Bill relations manager at Illinois Bell for 22 years before to write his own book. Since then, Bill has spent his starting his own firm in 1990. He is a retired Naval retirement time writing other books and movie Reserve captain and has commanded two public screenplays. “I've got about a dozen in affairs units. An accredited public relations (APR) development...waiting to see if my first effort takes practitioner, Jim helped organize the Suburban off,” he said. Chicagoland chapter and was its president in 1995. He also was recognized by the National Stuttering As the U.S. editor for “Who’s Who in Naval Association, which dedicated its 2003 convention in History,” Joe Callo selected and wrote more than his honor for his work as a board member and 200 entries about the U.S. naval personages volunteer public relations counsel. included in a new authoritative biographic guide scheduled for publication by Routledge. Joe and co- WWII Navy flyers allegedly spotted the billfish author Alastair Wilson profiled more than 600 men off the tip of Baja California, where the Sea of and women who have made their mark on the Cortez and the Pacific churn into each other. Some world’s fighting navies. The book covers events vowed to return, and did. Following their example, from the Battle of Trafalgar to the present, including after thoroughly enjoying the USNPAAA reunion in the major battles of WWII and Vietnam. San Diego, Jerry Bastarache and a friend met in Joe was Naval History Magazine’s 1998 author Cabo San Lucas for a little fishing. of the year. He has written three books about Expensive by Mexican standards, it is still a Admiral Lord Nelson, including “Legacy of good value compared to U.S. resorts, Jerry said, and Leadership-Lessons from Admiral Lord Nelson.”

April 2004 Page 5 Briefing Encounters . . . of the PAO Kind

Infamous “Five O'Clock Follies” Grew NAVEUR Briefer Misses the Point Along with the War Jerry Pape Fred D. Snyder Sometime during my tour as PAO at Saigon 1963. At five p.m., a small band of about CINCUSNAVEUR (1980-1982), the six “foreign correspondents” assembled in the inner Commander-in-Chief of Naval Forces Europe office of the MACV (Military Assistance Command invited members of the London Navy League and Vietnam) PAO, Colonel B.L. Baker, USAF. Three their spouses to come to the South Audley Street regulars who became famous were David Headquarters for a briefing on the state of the Navy Halberstam of the New York Times; Neil Sheehan, in the European Theater, with particular focus on UPI Bureau Chief in Saigon; and Peter Arnett of the the SIXTH FLEET. The Navy League membership Associated Press. The reporters sat on the floor, of London was comprised of many senior leaned against the wall or a desk; received a executives from major U.S. companies with handout; asked some questions and left to send their operations in the United Kingdom and obviously the reports to their respective bosses in the U.S. admiral wanted to make a good impression upon It was a Vietnamese war in 1963. The ARVN them. Most of the members ranged in age from 50 (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) held a press to 70. The Public Affairs Officer, Deputy Chief of briefing every afternoon about 2 p.m. The MACV Staff for Operations and the Intelligence Officer briefings at 5 p.m. were born when it was learned were to work together in preparing the presentation, that the ARVN briefings were “rather incomplete.” which was to be supported with appropriate slides. Here is how it worked. In the MACV Public An officer from the intelligence staff who was Information office, the ARVN two o'clock handouts accomplished at giving oral presentations would were compared with the MACV operations reports. make the actual presentation. Thereupon the MACV five o'clock handout was We worked on the presentation over several prepared, containing what had been left out of the weeks as time permitted. Finally the day arrived and ARVN handout. It was a simple as that. we assembled in the CINCUSNAVEUR briefing The U.S. military contingent of some 12,000 room for the presentation. All seemed to be going volunteers was in Vietnam to advise the Vietnamese exactly as planned until the Intelligence Officer, Military. The MACV briefings were intended to nearing the end of his splendid brief, flipped on the demonstrate to the ARVN that press briefings must black slide to conclude the slide presentation. Lo be forthcoming. and behold, instead of the black slide, some Colonel Baker's two assistants prepared the prankster had gotten hold of the presentation, had MACV handouts: yours truly LCDR Fred Snyder, removed the black slide and inserted instead a slide USN, and LTCOL Minter Wilson, USA. We showing a frontal view of a naked woman, waist alternated. One week on–One week off. The five high, with the printed words across the top of the o'clock briefings continued. slide, “How do you like these two fine points?” Two years later, after the conflict morphed into The Intelligence Officer was facing the audience an American war, the briefings reported U.S. and was unaware that the slide was on the screen military operations to a gargantuan “foreign” media behind him. It didn't take long, however, for the population. Swarms of reporters of all stripes admiral to direct with pronounced emphasis, “Get assembled in the auditorium of the Rex Theater for that slide off of the screen!” I know the admiral was what became known as “The Five O'clock Follies.” greatly embarrassed, but at that point there wasn't anything to do but finish off the presentation. Later, at a reception for the guests, the admiral's aide came up to me and said the admiral would like

Page 6 Sightings to see me and the Intelligence Officer in his office at To Brief or Not to Brief… 0800 the next morning (a Saturday). Fortunately for The Tonkin Gulf Incident us, we worked for an admiral who, though greatly Fred D. Snyder mortified by the prank, came to recognize that The place: The Pentagon D-ring. The date: neither I nor the Intelligence Officer would ever August 2, 1964. The time: after 5 p.m. Clark have done anything to embarrass him or the Navy. Gammell and I manned the CHINFO news desk. We had the “late” duty. The rest of the CHINFO LTJG and Admiral See Eye to Eye staff had left for the day. It was quiet. Jim McCain The phone rang. OSDPA wanted to know what As a lieutenant (jg) assigned to the Navy's was going on in Southeast Asia. It had been Office of Information's press desk in the Pentagon, I reported that Communist PT boats had attacked a was given an assignment to interview Captain Smart U. S. Navy destroyer in the Tonkin Gulf. (not his real name) regarding some new technology. I asked Clark to go to Flag Plot, elbow his way After getting my story, I showed it to my boss, through the admirals and find out what was going Commander Barney Solomon, who thought it would on. Clark knew his way around the Pentagon, was be a good idea if I ran it by Admiral “Dog” Smith well known and well liked. A short time later Clark who was Captain Smart's boss and who had been returned, plopped into his chair and just sat there. tapped to become the new Chief of Information the “What happened?” I asked. following month. “Nothing,” he replied. I had never met Admiral Smith and was escorted We pondered. The news wires were buzzing into his office, where he offered me a cup of coffee with reports of an attack. Our information was that while he read my press release. He suddenly glared there was NO ATTACK. What were we going to across the desk at me and asked, “Where did you get say to OSDPA? More importantly, how would we all of this crap?” to say it? (Our response to OSDPA would have “From Captain Smart,” I replied. been ala Bill Thompson: “Tell it like it is.”) He summoned his aide and said, “Get Captain A ringing phone interrupted us. OSDPA said Smart in here.” We chatted amiably while awaiting never mind. The White House had taken charge. the captain's arrival. Then, as soon as the captain Reports about the Tonkin Gulf incident came from came in Admiral Smith began really chewing him President Johnson’s house. out. I thought this was extraordinary, especially in The next few days the news desk was busy front of a lowly LTJG. helping various news companies do sidebars. I Then I noticed that he would pause long enough helped Time magazine do a cover story about in his berating the captain to look my way and wink. CINCPAC, Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp. I quickly caught on. “This is just an act and he has At the time CHINFO was Rear Admiral Bill let me in on it,” I thought. So after a couple of Mack. Deputy CHINFO was Captain Jim Dowdell. times, I returned his wink to let him know I Head of the Media Branch: Commander Hardy understood what was going on. Glenn. Head of the News Desk: LCDR Fred Snyder. Upon returning to my office I told Commander The news desk staff consisted of five Lieutenants: Solomon of the incident. “You winked back at Clark Gammell, Don Dvornik, Bill Graves, George him!” he exclaimed. Kolbenschlag and Dick Blaisdell. Captain Bill “Yes,” I replied a little hesitantly. Thompson was SECNAV’s PAO at the time. “You couldn't have!” he said in disbelief. “Everyone knows Admiral Smith has a tick in his right eye!”

April 2004 Page 7 Webmaster Shift for Continued from Page 1 www.USNPAAA.org “We need to start training joint war-fighters and public affairs on how to work together,” Smith said. Alan P. Goldstein has accepted the USNPAAA “In wartime, it’s been a pick-up game. We want to board's invitation to take over duties as Webmaster ‘doctrinize’ the whole approach and incorporate for USNPAAA's Web site, www.usnpaaa.org, best practices.” succeeding Robert J. Skinner. Fleet Public Affairs Centers Skinner is stepping down to meet the growing Fleet Public Affairs Centers will provide a surge demands of his job at the Navy Recruiting team to support crisis and contingency operations Command in Millington, Tenn, a job which and expeditionary strike groups, augment deploying includes stewardship of the command's own Web carriers and regional public affairs efforts, and site, www.Navy.com. continue traditional marketing of hometown news. Goldstein currently serves as Assistant Chief of The center will be headed by a commander, with Information for Technology Integration, and as such two lieutenant commanders and 15 others on the created and almost single-handedly produces the staffs of detachments in Norfolk and San Diego. Navy's official Web site, www.navy.mil. The site is In peacetime, McCreary said, the staff could one of the most visited sites on the Internet today augment type commanders, go to contingencies, and provides the public with a clear, concise accidents, search and rescue operations and information source about the U.S. Navy. It averages homecomings. “They would…work with an more than 5 million accesses per month, and peaked Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) during at more than 9 million right after 9-11-01. deployment workups and become the ESG Goldstein's history with USNPAAA goes back commander’s PAO, keeping the battle group to its beginning, when he was a charter member. He perspective.” was the first editor of the association's newsletter, “In wartime…15 people flow forward to which subsequently evolved into SIGHTINGS. support operations, some ashore, some afloat. They become the core of operations and we don't have to Member Directory Coming Soon ‘rip to fill’ as we’ve done in the past,” he said. Each Membership directory editor Tom Coldwell Fleet Public Affairs Center will have two reserve reminds members that the 36-page booklet detachments—one for production and one for customarily goes in the mail each June, which in contingencies. terms of members’ responses to appeals in previous Navy Office of Information Mid-America years is just a scant few days away. For the past A new Navy Office of Information-Mid several years, the largest crop of listing changes America located in Millington, Tenn., will replace arrived after the new directories hit the street! the current Navy Information Offices Chicago and Members need to check their listing in last Dallas. Staff will be assembled from the two closing year’s directory and send changes by e-mail to offices, as well as the Navy Recruiting Command, [email protected] or by postal mail to USNPAAA, Naval Personnel Command and CHINFO’s 6119 Larstan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22312. aviation, Navy Band and speaker-support programs. Can’t find last year’s directory? Members can The Millington office will coordinate the Navy’s restate their listing for these fields: full name, public outreach efforts, support recruiting and spouse name; best mailing address; home, work and personnel planning, and provide public affairs fax phones (in all cases with area codes); e-mail officers for regional contingency support. address; rank/rate; membership (Life or Annual). If “We need to leverage our outreach across the preferred, a cell phone number can be listed in the board,” McCreary said. “Why don’t we bring in the work number field. In the course of a year, the NASCAR show car when the (Blue Angels) are in largest number of changes occurs in telephone area town? Add in some commanding officers from the codes and email addresses. Please check ‘em. area and have them speak at the local high schools—this kind of creates a ‘Navy Week’

Page 8 Sightings wherever we go. This needs one person to know determine what stories are worth telling,” what all is going on.” Gradisher said. The editorial board, with Professional Development representatives from each internal Beginning in July, CHINFO will send 10 active- communications product, meets daily. duty PAOs annually to graduate school. “We are ! Realigning military and civilian human calling it PAO department head school. (Surface resources. Active-duty officer billets will be Warfare Officers) get department head schools. moved to fleet concentration areas to make them They get professional development along the way,” more surge-capable. Recommendations for McCreary said. “Why can’t we?” enlisted billets have not yet been made, although All 10 officers will attend the same school for a merging the Illustrator Draftsman, Lithographer, communications-oriented program. In addition to Journalist and Photographer's Mate ratings into earning a master’s degree, the graduate students a single rating is possible, McCreary said. could earn a professional certification from the Changes Begin this Year Public Relations Society of America—“a kind of According to McCreary, most of the announced double whammy,” McCreary said. changes will go into effect in October, although Senior lieutenants and junior lieutenant some may not begin until fiscal year 2006. Tiger commanders will be considered, with selection for Teams convened to study civilian and enlisted lieutenant commander a likely requirement, issues have not yet reported. McCreary said. Because 50 percent of captain billets require SIGHTINGS is grateful to Lieutenant Nancy professional military education, opportunities for Harrity of Navy Information Bureau 256 for the such education will be created, McCreary said. major reporting on this topic. Almost all PAOs going into those billets now get waivers. To reduce the need for such waivers, two commanders will be sent to the National Defense University and two to the National War College each year. And if Elected . . . Other recommendations from the Tiger Teams The whole country is getting election fever, so include: why not Sightings? ! Drafting a strategic communications plan for A future issue of Sightings will feature any 2004 member who has been elected to public office ! Creating a billet for an Assistant Chief of following retirement or while still a naval Information for Professional Development to reservist. If you have been elected to any political work full-time on professional development for office, from local government to state or national, officers, enlisted and civilian personnel tell our members about it. Please include the ! Rewriting Public Affairs Regulations. A team following information in your response. has been working since last October on the first ! Office or offices held and dates of service update to regulations since 1987. A policy ! What was your greatest motivation for getting review of the new regs is slated for April. involved in the political process? ! Reinforcing external and internal messages. ! Was your Navy experience useful while Captain Joe Gradisher, Commanding Officer of seeking office? Navy Media Center, Washington, D.C., ! What do you consider your greatest explained that, ”Our internal audience is the accomplishment in office? most important audience we have. If we have a E-mail your response to the Sightings editor at story to tell internally, it’s worth dong in more [email protected]. Brevity counts. than one medium. To insure greater ‘convergence,’ the Media Center created an editorial board and an assignment desk to

April 2004 Page 9 USNPAAA Members Laud Admiral Thomas Moorer

Admiral Thomas M. protocol, I greeted the Moorer, former Chief of visitors for a few minutes Naval Operations beforehand, generally (1967-1970) and Chairman chatted with them to ensure of the Joint Chiefs of Staff my forecast to the admiral of (1970-1974) died Feb. 5 in their interests was on target. Bethesda, Md. The 41-year Alsop and I had crossed Navy veteran, who was the paths before, but I was a first naval officer to nothing so to speak. Once in command both the Atlantic the office and after the and Pacific fleets and the hand-shaking, Alsop noted I first Navy JCS chairman in was taking my customary 13 years, died at age 91. seat for the interview. He During his funeral at Fort turned to the admiral and Myer, present-day officials said, “Is it really necessary from the Secretary of the that the captain be present Navy to the Chairman of the for our get-together?” Joint Chiefs of Staff praised Without missing a beat, the admiral's distinguished the admiral replied career. Thoughts from pleasantly, “No, it really isn't USNPAAA member Jack necessary. We can terminate MacKercher, who remained the interview now.” a personal friend of the That, of course, isn't admiral, were included in the funeral program. what Alsop had in mind. As the interview Several members of USNPAAA have added their progressed and Alsop had made his strategic points memories of Admiral Moorer for SIGHTINGS on how we should be conducting the war in readers. Vietnam, he posed some questions. The chairman on two occasions purposely deferred to me to fill in From Jack MacKercher figures and supplementary information. He knew I To my knowledge Bob Brett and I were his only knew the answers because I had provided him with PAOs from the time he commanded Seventh Fleet the data and info prior to the session. through his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs At the conclusion of our meeting the admiral of Staff. My primary tasking was to get him to mentioned that if an occasion arose when Alsop soften his pronunciation of ayyyy-rabs and add wanted to speak with him and he wasn't available anese to Jap. Tom Moorer was a dream to work for Alsop should contact me and I would get either the and with. I had the go sign to offer my views on any info or arrange an appointment. I was astonished appropriate matter and some not so appropriate. when Alsop initially called me, and even more so Once you joined his staff—and I mean the day you when he sought my wife and me out when we were joined his staff—you were one of his personal team. dining at Le Chamiere Restaurant in Georgetown. He had a way about him seldom experienced by our Such behavior wasn't Mr. Alsop's forte. community in the old days. Two examples might In one of our many trips to Vietnam, I learned help to serve my point. that the 1650 lieutenant serving with the SeaBees Joe Alsop, the self-designee of greatness and was having some difficulty with his admiral, who syndicated columnist, deigned to interview the boss had a rather short-sighted view of what public once he became JCS chairman. As was our affairs was and wasn't. This lieutenant was an

Page 10 Sightings excellent officer; indeed, he'd been a CHINFO correspondents could be trusted. Some others, briefer at the daily CNO briefing before going to younger, had open minds to be brought along by the Vietnam. I described the situation to the admiral, facts they sought. Still others were less objective giving him the officer's name and identifying him as and routinely filed their political coloration with a briefer. The boss recognized him on arrival, even their copy no matter how well they had been though he was in the extreme rear of the peripheral accommodated. Each of them was seeking out time crowd. We were a few minutes behind sked, which with the CNO. On top of it all was Jack added to the Seabee rear admiral's anguish. After MacKercher, a seasoned master at managing the greeting his host, Tom went right over to the PAO admiral's public briefings and interviews to advance and shook hands. He chatted with him for a few the Navy's purpose with all the dignity of the office minutes, asked him how things were going and left while at the same time weeding out the invitations no mistake this was someone in whom he was to appear before deliberately hostile audiences or interested. pundits in search of pontification. Jack, Jim and I These two anecdotes helped me and a young spent a lot of time scoping out people and fellow far from the mainstream establish our organizations. When it came to public opinion and credentials with others who should have known the Navy, “the boss” did not want to be surprised. Admiral Moorer's m.o. better. Admiral Moorer had a special touch for internal relations. To fleet sailors, the presence and flag of From Jerry Bastarache the CNO can be formidable and remote. He got As COMSEVENTHFLT, Admiral Moorer was around that with a personal newsletter, “From The my first boss in 1963-64, where I was a boot ensign Front Office,” which we put together for him with a under then-Commander Bob Brett. I became a wide and regular circulation. Through it, readers got shellback under Admiral Moorer and in his flagship, to know “Admiral Tom.” It had a masthead photo of USS Providence, made memorable port calls at him with a warm smile, hard at work, with papers in Singapore, Port Swettenham, Saigon (where hand. Its copy conveyed his care and concern for ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge came on board at their needs and related in plain terms the challenges Vung Tau in white ducks), Hong Kong, Yokosuka, before the Navy around the world and what was Otaru, and others. All my memories of Admiral expected of all. Moorer are good ones. When my active duty term was up I faced a decision at age 29—how best to give something From David K. Sturges back to the Navy for all the opportunity and For me, the experience of a lifetime began in the experience it had given me in so short a time. Jack summer of 1968, when I was ordered to the MacKercher and Jim Mathews had an answer for Pentagon as an E-5 journalist. I was assigned via me. The reserve 1655 direct commission program CHINFO to the Admiral's special assistant for was new then and needed people. After a few weeks public affairs (OOD), Captain Bob Brett. A short of paperwork and mentoring by Jack and Jim, my time later, when Bob retired and was succeeded by own moment of delight came as the CNO swore me Captain Jack MacKercher, Jim Mathews came in, signed my ensign's appointment papers and aboard as deputy special assistant. Together we presented me with the Navy Achievement Medal for coped with a daunting workload. We had speeches staff service. to edit, some guest appointments and press interviews to handle and research to do for the background information the admiral needed as he traveled to shore and fleet units, met with senior governmental and diplomatic officials and testified before Congress The Pentagon press corps of that era somewhat reflected the anti-war climate. Most veteran

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