Problems with the Navy (Chiefs)

I’m interested in writing a book about my time in the Navy, especially the problems I see. This, and future, blog posts are mostly my thoughts and ramblings as I think of things to write about (if I ever get the opportunity). So, if you are so inclined, feel free to post comments with your ideas and experiences. Or, if you think I’m a whining bastard, you can tell me that too, though I would appreciate some counter-arguments or good rationalization for why I’m wrong.

Since I’m currently enlisted, I can’t say that I know the hows and whys of Big Navy policies and procedures. But I can say what I have experienced, and it’s not all good.  Most people really enjoy the military life, particularly the Navy. Sure, we go to foreign ports and see things not everyone does. But that’s only a few times a year. Frankly, I’d rather just take a vacation. It may cost more but it’s much more enjoyable.

What to talk about this session? How about I gripe about my (least) favorite thing: Chiefs. I know I’m going to get a lot of flak about this, especially because Chiefs think they are special.  Sure, they are special: special ed. Ha ha. But seriously, I don’t think that highly of them. If you haven’t seen it yet, the video Like A Chief is exactly how it is.

For those who don’t know, Navy Chiefs are the senior enlisted of the Navy. The actual rank structure is E-7 = Chief, E-8 = Senior Chief, and E-9 = Master Chief. And no, the Master Chief in Halo is nothing like the real ones, no matter how much they may think so. He’s closer to a Marine Sergeant Major than anyone from the Navy. Unless they consider him to be like a SEAL.

Unlike other branches, Chiefs wear a different uniform than the other enlisted folks. This is supposed to signify that they have “transitioned” from being technicians to administrators. Whatever. They claim that “go ask the Chief” is a household term, yet I’ve never heard it. If I have questions, I’m always directed to ask the Leading Petty Officer (an E-6). I have never been told to ask a Chief for a technical answer.

The funny thing is, E-6s are supposed to be working at the E-7 level; supposedly you can’t be promoted unless you have already shown leadership. Yet, if Chiefs are administrators and not technicians, why do you have to prove you can push papers? It’s not so difficult that you have to work at it for years. Hell, anyone working at McDonald’s can become a shift supervisor or store manager in less than a year.

Chiefs are pompous, conceited idiots, in my experience. The attitude of most of them is, “I got what I wanted, screw the rest of you.” It seems that they forget that they are still enlisted; once they put on khakis they seem to feel they are as good as, if not better than, officers. They frequently go out of their way to screw over “blue shirts” (the E-6 and below Sailors). If you aren’t part of the khaki crowd, you are dirt.

I once had a division officer who was a former Senior Chief. Rather than acting like every other DIVO I have had (looking out for his division and keeping them from being crapped on), he actually looked for things to get us on. I was given counseling twice by him for “failing in my duties”. A DIVO shouldn’t be writing counseling chits; that’s something the Chief or LPO should be doing. Yet he couldn’t get out of that Chief mentality of screwing over blue shirts.

Chiefs are never wrong and their way is the only way to do something. Even if you have a better, cheaper, more efficient way of doing something, they don’t want to hear it. They are very firm believers in maintaining the status quo, not rocking the boat, and doing things because “that’s the way it’s always been done”. Of course, I’m sure a large part of that mentality is because they benefit the most from it.

There is no value-added from having a Chief around. I mean, really, the LPO or other E6s are perfectly capable of running things; hell, they are supposed to be working at the E-7 level anyways. So why is have a micro-managing supervisor constantly around? I can see having one there to provide assistance when the LPO needs it, but most of the time all a Chief does is read emails and pass on info.

I like to describe Chiefs as “mobile coffee carriers”. They certainly don’t seem to do much more than that. If there is work to be done, you can be sure the Chiefs will all be “supervising”. This includes cleaning. Khakis  can’t be bothered to get their hands dirty; they are much too important to be tasked with real work. About the only Chiefs I’ve seen who are willing to get dirty doing work or cleaning are engineers (mechanics, electricians, etc.) or boatswain’s mates. Most everyone else seems to feel that putting on khaki means they aren’t required to work anymore.

One thing that really irritates me is the superiority complex Chiefs have. Like, just because they are wearing khakis and I’m wearing a blue shirt, they are somehow better than me. Yet, I have 3 degrees, I’m working on my Ph.D., and I’ve been working on computers nearly as long as they have been in the Navy. But, they know more than I do about information technology simply because they put on Chief.

That’s another thing. I have yet to meet a Chief in the IT rating that did not come from the radioman/tech control side of the house. The Navy IT rate is composed of three former rates: radioman, data processor, and cryptotech operators. Now, I understand that radio communications is a very large part of the military. However, as I said, I have not met a single Chief who wasn’t a former radioman before the rating mergers.

When it comes to computers, most of them are complete tools. They may have gone to a few Navy schools and learned a little bit about computers and networking, but they haven’t put it to practice. Yet these same people are dictating to me how I should be working, setting up the network, administering the systems, or otherwise. Yet, when asked simple computer questions, they can’t answer or give some BS answer. The smarter ones will sort of admit they don’t know computers and will ask for guidance when they have to report up the chain. But they still think they can provide valuable insight into how the IS components should be configured.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I have no desire to be a Chief. I would rather be an officer than be part of that group. Yet, people regularly join the Navy with their sole goal to make it to the Chief rank. I’ve been in 13 years and I still haven’t figure out why.

Another observation: the Chief’s initiation induction process. The Navy has changed the term from initiation to induction to present the appearance of not only being politically correct, but that the process is a formal entry into the position. Sure, there may be a ceremony but the six weeks leading up to the ceremony is still an initiation.

The Chief’s keep the whole process secret. From what I understand, not even Big Navy knows what goes on there because only Chiefs are allowed into the process. But from what I’ve heard, it’s not terribly different than pledging to a fraternity in college. Chief “selectees” (and they get really mad if you don’t acknowledge that) have to carry around a wooden case that holds their “charge book”, a book that any Chief can look at and write in. I’ve heard that sometimes other Chiefs will write “infractions” that the selectee has committed, to be “atoned” for during the hazing induction night prior to the promotion ceremony.

The selectees are also supposed to do various things, such as memorize quotations, songs, or other items, do “homework” in their charge book, and they have to do fundraisers. The fundraisers are to prove that the selectees can work as a team and handle leadership responsibilities. Except…the reason they were selected to be Chiefs is because they’ve already shown that. Why do they have to do it again?

To make Chief, you have to be a “stellar” individual, having passed the annual advancement exam, shown “sustained superior performance” in your evals, and had your service record reviewed by the Chief’s Selection Board. As part of the selection process, your evals and other documents are supposed to show to the board that you have the leadership ability, teamwork, etc. to be a “deckplate leader”. And it’s continually stated that only the best people are chosen.

I call BS. Officially, that may be the line. But I have heard and seen, far too often, that the whole process is political. You have Chiefs deciding who gets to be part of their fraternity. You honestly think they choose the right people? Or do they choose people they believe will work best within their organization?

Judging by the fact that I can count on three fingers the Chiefs I felt really deserved that position and lived up to the ideals, I personally don’t believe the best candidates are being chosen. And I’m not saying this because I haven’t been selected yet. As I said, I don’t want to be one.

I knew a Chief who didn’t have a warfare pin, yet that is supposed to be a requirement. I know people who spent most of their time doing collateral duties so their names were known throughout the command, yet they didn’t know the first thing about their job; they were promoted to Chief.

And don’t get me started on the race card. All I will say is that, statistically speaking (I can’t say that since I can’t find the stats anymore), 2/3 of the Chiefs are from a minority group of some type. We are the only military in the world (to my knowledge) that allows non-citizens to join. Every other military I’ve investigated requires members to be a citizen of that country. So, it seems highly suspicious that there is an apparent preponderance of minorities (including women) within the Chief ranks, considering the makeup of the lower ranks. I can’t believe that there are so many unqualified white guys in the Navy; they certainly seem to be representing at the E-6 level though.

I’m not denying that minorities can’t do the job. But the fact that the upper enlisted ranks are disproportionally filled kind of gives lie to the whole equal opportunity propaganda of the Navy. It’s like reverse discrimination, or equal opportunity taken to the extreme. Is it real? I can’t say; proving it is difficult. But “perception is reality” and there just seems to be fewer white men in Chief khakis than in the other ranks, including officers.

Well, that’s my rant for now. I’m sure I will hear about this, one way or the other. But that’s the joy of having blogs; if you don’t like what I say, you can make your own blog and make a counterpoint. Or just post your own diatribe in the comments.