Recent Trends in Naval Technology

Naval technology today is characterized by progress within two distinct, but interrelated trends. First of all, naval technology is focused upon the support of land-based forces as a strategy to control the world’s seas. “Today’s technological meta-trends favor sea denial over sea control” (Gasparre, 2009, p. 1). These new technologies focus upon improving the delivery capacity of navy vessels. These include new developments in forward propulsion and hull design to support small force tactical mobility. For example, hovercraft advancements allow sea-based vessels to quickly transport troops to land-based locations.
The second trend focuses upon the defense of major sea vessels. The recent development of new forms of surveillance, including satellite technology, have made large carriers more vulnerable to attacks. The second trend focuses upon making naval vessels more defensible. Many different developments enable the improved defense of naval forces. These include “advances in radar, networking, lasers and design modularity” (Gasparre, 2009, p. 1). Laser technology, in particular, may prove beneficial to naval forces in the short term. “The laser’s capability could potentially be implemented on a wide range of missions for deployed forces – namely for self defense from threats” (Laser Quest, 2009, p. 1). While once considered the playground of Star Wars, lasers may provide the navy with an important defensive advantage.

References:
Gasparre, R. (2009). Taking Control of Naval Pre-Positioning.
Retrieved online http://www.naval-technology.com/features/feature61485/.
Laser Quest – Could naval forces soon be equipped with laser
weaponry? (2009). Retrieved online http://www.naval- technology.com/features/feature53846/.

Educating the members of the Navy

In order to merge technology with naval leadership, the Navy must focus upon educating its members about new technology. When a new technology is introduced, the Navy should hire civilian personnel to train naval officers. The Navy should also focus upon having its own members maintain and repair new technology. The Navy should also integrate new educational platforms, such as online training courses, to enable the training of navy officers in remote locations. While this effort would be costly, it could help the Navy in the long term from becoming too dependent upon civilian aid. The Navy can supplement this targeted training by focusing its recruitment efforts upon individuals with technological knowledge. For example, recruiting at engineering schools or advertising the Navy’s ability to pay for college after service might help boost the recruitment of knowledgeable enlistees.

Why the Navy Will Not Adopt New Technology

The primary factor preventing the Navy from adopting more new technologies is lack of familiarity. When new technologies are created by the private sector, this ensures that private sectors will be more familiar with their construction and maintenance. The Navy and other military branches then have an incentive to save money by merely contracting civilian maintenance crews rather than train military personnel. The use of private contractors is particularly prevalent in the status quo because of the state of overstretch of the U.S. military forces around the world.

Navy Slow to Integrate Technology

There are many examples of the Navy leadership’s slow integration of new technologies. For example, the U.S. Navy was once a world leader in the development and use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s). However, the U.S. has been very slow to integrate new UAV’s. “That the US Navy is the last service to push out the current generation of UAV’s is ironic because it led its peers in early UAV experimentation” (Gasparre, 2009b, p. 1). Another example involves the new Maritime Pre-Positioning Force Squadrons (MPPFS) that were endorsed by President Obama (Gasparre, 2009a). The MPPFS were commercially designed and they are crewed primarily by private civilians rather than naval personnel.

References:
Gasparre, R. (2009a). Taking Control of Naval Pre-Positioning.
Retrieved online http://www.naval- technology.com/features/feature61485/.
Gasparre, R. (2009b). The tortoise in the air. Naval-
technology.com. Retrieved online http://www.naval- technology.com/features/feature62615/.

Merging Technology with Leadership

The U.S. Navy was once the world’s leader in new technologies and innovation. However, in recent years, the status of the navy has declined when compared to the navies of other prominent nations. This trend is the result of a tendency of the naval leadership to eschew new technologies. The successful merging of technology with leadership in the Navy will depend upon the strengthening of ties between the public and private sector. The majority of new naval technology is being developed by private contracting firms rather than the U.S. government (Gasparre, 2009a). However, military leaders tend to favor traditional approaches and strategies (Gasparre, 2009b). As a result, the U.S. Navy has been slow to incorporate new technologies.

References:
Gasparre, R. (2009a). Taking Control of Naval Pre-Positioning.
Retrieved online http://www.naval- technology.com/features/feature61485/.
Gasparre, R. (2009b). The tortoise in the air. Naval-
technology.com. Retrieved online http://www.naval- technology.com/features/feature62615/.

Teaching Leadership by Example

Being able to serve as a positive example for others is a critical trait of a successful leader, though it is especially important in the military. When an individual takes command of a situation or group of people, they are subsequently responsible for their actions. To teach leadership, one must fully accept responsibility for any and all outcomes, considering both the positives and negatives. When a leader sets an example of how they can be effective at promoting these various positive traits among their followers, they are significantly more likely to instill these various traits in those working below them. In many cases, including the military as well as the professional world, it is through the development of a positive example of leadership that one is able to encourage the development of appropriate and effective leadership skills in those one works with on a routine basis. Providing support, understanding, and the opportunity to learn, an effective leader is able to lead by example, setting the stage for the creation of other leaders that will, in turn, have a positive effect on others.

Definition of Military Leadership

Military leadership can be defined in countless ways. However, one of the most succinct and striking definitions I have found is also one of the simplest. Ridgway
(2000) explains three primary components of effective military leadership: character, courage, and competence. Leadership cannot exist without each of these; one cannot motivate individuals without these factors. Within the military, he argues, a critical aspect of this is self-discipline. Described as “true to themselves and to their conscience,” these men and women are willing to admit when they are wrong or make mistakes, and take responsibility for their actions in times of success and failure (8). Physical and moral courage is demanded of a successful leader, as one must be willing to take calculated risks to achieve long-term success. Accompanying this is the ability to stand up to a commanding officer when the situation warrants it; obedience may be a requirement, but it should never be blind. The final trait, competence, can be physical or mental; remaining informed of military strategies and tactics is paramount, but one must also remain physically competent, able to take action when the situation calls for it.