Let Us Lead Toward Ability to Fight

This treatise examines consequences of alternative styles of leadership in designing and managing naval warships 1 Leading toward intermediate goals aimed mainly at keeping equipment working, as compared to 2 leading toward ultimate goals of effective performance during violent combat. Consequences of intermediate leadership goals include distorted shipboard organization, inability to remain aware of changes in battle readiness, and shipborad environments lacking sense of purpose. Major potential remedies include designation of combat team leaders as the Real VIPs on board. Provision of effective combat uniforms, elimination of conditions that exacerbate the impacts of stress and violence, and and designation of designed capabilities as the primary basis for keeping track of changes in readiness. Appendix summarizes published materials providing detailed discussions.