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56 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News Yard Patrol Craft used for training. "'You have four years to do it,' we tell them. Only a few will obtain this, but it's what we want them to do." Rempt says "We teach basic seamanship and watch keeping to all Midshipmen to give them a better sense of the sea and the weather. Even those who will not be surface warriors need this fundamental knowledge. Marines and naval aviators still operate from ships. With all of the electronic sensors available to you, there is no substitute for deck officers and lookouts who understand their surroundings. Radars and sen- sors can give a sense of complacency." Building an Effective Team Rempt says the Academy strives to develop Midshipmen into good leaders. By leading by exam- ple, one can earn the trust of their subordinates, and build teamwork with the people they are trying to lead. "We teach them to do the things that help build the team. As leaders, they are usually responsible for a handful of people. On a ship, a division officer has his or her chief and leading petty officers. A department head has his or her division officers. A CO has the executive officer, command master chief and depart- ment heads. It isn't necessary to deal with everybody and their issues. It is important to understand and work closely with that team for which you are responsible, to help them with their careers and their family issues. Focus on them and they can focus on their teams. The result is a very caring and supportive organization, Rempt says. Teaching Core Values The Navy has gone through some ups and downs, but the desire to live up to these high standards has not changed, Rempt says. "We want them to take honor into their soul, with continuous vigilance and applica- tion of what they've learned." The Navy's core values of honor, courage and com- mitment are pretty simple. The Academy teaches honor. If your people do not trust you, they will not follow you. "They come from all walks of life," says Rempt, referring to the freshman "plebes" who come to Annapolis. "They don't all have the same standard. We have the same focus on leadership, honor and char- acter values today as we did when I was a Midshipman. They're smarter, and better academical- ly and physically prepared. They come into the Academy at a higher standard than when I arrived here, and leave even better. But they do not all arrive with the same sense of honor. By the time they gradu- ate, however, they are ready to lead and serve with the highest sense of personal honor. That's a big challenge, but "They have four years at the academy to do that." The young people who come to the Naval Academy inspire Rempt. "Their whole approach to serving impresses me. They want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They want to make a differ- ence." Rempt says he can speak for the Old Salts before him. "None of us thought we would be around as long as we did. My roommate, Mike Haskins and I vowed we would never come back here after we graduated. Both of us became admirals, and here I am as the Superintendent, and Mike retired and is now the Distinguished Chair of Leadership at the United States Naval Academy." Circle 268 on Reader Service Card Circle 292 on Reader Service Card World Wide Metric is a leader in the wholesale distribution of valves, fittings, tubing and flanges and carries the largest inventory of metric products in North America. WWM links the East and the West by consolidating the supply of products and technologies of the European, Far Eastern and American marine and industrial markets by anticipating the market trends, research and product development, direct factory representation with a network of manufacturers and wholesalers around the world. Stocking a comprehensive inventory in four regional facilities with our corporate headquarters in Somerset, New Jersey USA, World Wide Metric utilizes cutting edge technology to communicate and manage our distribution centers, thus giving our customers the dependability and reliability for their urgent and scheduled maintenance requirements with the most sophisticated supply chain in the industry. 67 Veronica Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873 • tel: 732-247-2300 • fax: 732-247-7258 • email: info@worldwidemetric.com visit us at: www.worldwidemetric.com Circle 308 on Reader Service Card 2006WorldYearbook2006WorldYearbook2006WorldYearbook2006W The first Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom, takes shape in Marinette, Wisconsin (photo by E. H. Lundquist) MR JUNE2006 #7 (49-56).qxd 6/2/2006 12:02 PM Page 56
