Organizational Values of US Navy

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Decision Making in US Navy4

Steps in MDMP process4

MDMP's Advantages6

MDMP's Weakness6

The United States Navy Culture, Values and Traditions6

Information Systems of United States Navy8

Conclusion10

References12

Introduction

The US military's unique role of managing violence on behalf of society, a strong and incorruptible society is not only significant but essential. It is no exaggeration to state that the nation's safety relies in large measure on the vitality of U.S. military culture and values. The main sources of the unique military culture and values of the United States are the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, selected U.S. and international laws, and more than 200 years of U.S. military history.

The United States began as a country deeply distrustful of a standing military, the heritage of a nation born of its refusal of kings and tyrants. Although the belongings of that legacy waned as the United States became a world power, a suspicion of large, standing armed forces persists. That partly explains Americans' persistence on strong civilian control of the military and their affection for the citizen-soldiers who are today the volunteers in the National Guard, the reserves, and the active force. At the same time, a military culture by definition must differ significantly from civil culture in a democratic society, a fact recognized in U.S. law and supported by the Supreme Court.

The United States Navy culture consists of the accepted values, philosophies, traditions, and customs that are passed along to each successive generation of service members to create a shared professional ethos. From that shared identity spring common expectations. The US Navy services have its own shorthand for the core values that underpin military culture: "honor, courage, and commitment" and Marine Corps; "integrity, service before self, and excellence”. Closely related to military culture is organizational climate, or how the members of the organization feel about the organization. Over the long run, changes in organizational climate can significantly modify the culture.

Decision Making in US Navy

The Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) is process of solving tactical situations and problems. It was traced back at least 2000 years, but began to gain prominence in the early 19th century post-Napoleonic Europe. MDMP is a blending of the commander's guidance, intuition, experience, coupled with the staff's knowledge of doctrine, tactics, techniques and methodology. Strong commander can compensate for weak staffs by anticipating clear planning guidance and establishing definitive course of action criteria. Conversely, strong staffs can accommodate weak commanders but only up to a point. Balancing this process is the all encompassing factor of time availability. The less time available, the greater the direct command involvement in the process. Ultimately it is the organizational commander who must assume responsibility for what the unit does or fails to accomplish.

Steps in MDMP process

Receive warning order from higher authority

Begin Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (1.P13)

Situation updates briefings by staff

Commander provides initial guidance

Issue Warning Order #1 (Identify change of mission and initial guidance to commanders)

Update staff estimates/commander's Estimate

Mission Analysis

Commander's guidance ...