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Z-Gram #54; dated 2 November 1970

CNO Discussions with Naval Personnel

R 021855Z NOV 70
FM CNO (Z-54)

TO NAVOP

UNCLAS //N00000//
CNO DISCUSSIONS WITH NAVY PERSONNEL

A. MY 141350Z JUL 70 (NAVOP Z-01)
B. MY 211609Z SEP 70 (NAVOP Z-28)

1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO OUTLINE THE SEVERAL MEANS I HAVE EVOLVED FOR LEARNING OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE FLEET AND SHORE ESTABLISHMENT FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NAVY SO THAT ALL HANDS MAY KNOW THE SPECTRUM OF VIEWPOINTS THAT ARE REFLECTED IN THE NEW INITIATIVES WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN AND TO GIVE ANY MEMBER OF THE NAVY WHO HAS HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS AN INDICATION OF HOW IDEAS CAN BE HEARD.

2. REFERENCES A AND B DESCRIBE THE RETENTION STUDY GROUP PROGRAM, PROGRESS TO DATE, AND GENERAL PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. IN THE PURSUIT OF THIS PROGRAM I HAVE THUS FAR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MANY LIEUTENANTS AND LIEUTENANT (JG)S AND ENLISTED MEN SELECTED AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TYPE COMMANDERS. AS A RESULT OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS WE HAVE INITIATED NUMEROUS ACTION ITEMS IN THE WASHINGTON AREA AND HAVE ALREADY ISSUED SEVERAL IMPLEMENTING MESSAGES AND DIRECTIVES. IN VIEW OF THE VALUE OF THE FIRST OF THESE RETENTION TASK GROUP SESSIONS, WE PLANNED THE SCHEDULE DISCUSSED IN REFERENCE B, WHICH WILL TAKE US THROUGH THE END OF THIS YEAR.

3. TWO OTHER PROGRAMS WITH MORE SENIOR OFFICERS THAT HAVE MET WITH EQUAL SUCCESS AND HAVE SIMILARLY RESULTED IN NUMEROUS ACTION ITEMS AND DIRECTIVES ARE, A., MEETINGS WITH OFFICERS REPORTING TO THE WASHINGTON AREA FOR DUTY WHO HAVE JUST FINISHED COMMANDING OFFICER TOURS AND B., MEETINGS WITH ALL REPORTING FLAG OFFICERS. IN VIEW OF THE EXTENSIVE BENEFITS WE HAVE DERIVED FROM THESE SESSIONS WITH THE EX-COS AND FLAG OFFICERS, I INTEND TO CONTINUE THIS PRACTICE. ACCORDINGLY, THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE FLAG OFFICERS OR COMMANDING OFFICERS ANTICIPATING A MOVE TO THE WASHINGTON AREA SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT AND DISCUSSING WITH MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMANDS THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF IMAGINATIVE AND INNOVATIVE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN IMPROVE THE NAVY.

4. IN ADDITION, BOTH REAR ADMIRAL DAVE BAGLEY (ASSISTANT CNO AND ASSISTANT CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL FOR PEOPLE) AND I ARE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH GROUPS OF ENLISTED MEN, JUNIOR OFFICERS, COMMANDING OFFICERS, AND FLAG OFFICERS IN A SERIES OF VISITS WE ARE CONDUCTING TO SHIPS, NAVAL DISTRICTS, BASES AND FLEET ORGANIZATIONS, AND HERE AGAIN WE ARE EAGER TO HEAR ANY OF YOUR IDEAS DURING THESE DISCUSSIONS.

5. ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH I LOOK FORWARD TO EXCHANGING VIEWS WITH A KEY SPECTRUM OF OUR PERSONNEL IS THE CPO ADVISORY BOARD TO THE CNO WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED IN NAVOP Z-23, COMMANDS HAVE NOMINATED SOME OF OUR VERY FINEST E-8/E-9’S AND THESE SELECTIONS WILL SOON BE ANNOUNCED. RATHER THAN A SHORT TERM STUDY GROUP THIS WILL BE A CONTINUING ADVISORY BOARD WITH MEMBERS SERVING SIX MONTHS AND WITH A ROTATION SCHEDULE FOR RELIEFS WHICH WILL PROVIDE CONTINUITY. I INTEND TO USE THIS CPO BOARD TO COMMENT ON MANY OF YOUR NEW IDEAS AND OTHER ACTIONS THAT HAVE A PERSONNEL IMPACT. E. R. ZUMWALT, JR., ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY, CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.
BT

________________

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS:

CPO: chief petty officer

[END]
Published: Tue Sep 20 06:47:39 EDT 2016