Naval War College Visit
My wife and I were guests for a private tour of the Naval War College today, arranged by Captain Mike Sherlock, who had read my earlier blog about my run-in with a Marine Colonel (http://www.contrarianconsulting.com/sir-no-sir/) during a conference in Newport. A lot of people make lemonade when handed lemons. The Navy, however, makes a gourmet meal.
John Edward Jackson gave us a background briefing, and then we met with Ambassador Mary Ann Peters, the Provost, and Admiral James Wisecup, the President. Everyone was gracious with their time and I’m sure they had a lot of other things do to. After that, we received what everyone regarded as the “five star” tour of the place by the noted historian John Hattendorf.
We were treated wonderfully, and as my wife pointed out, I was in my element, since I’ve studied naval history for quite some time. Reading an original letter from Thomas Jefferson (it’s pictured here) to John Paul Jones, suggesting a few things, was pretty phenomenal. The college is an unexpected farrago, with accredited, advanced degree programs as well as an appearance coming up by The Beach Boys! My background had been checked out, and John Jackson began the briefing by presenting me with a map of North Dakota. (An in-joke for those who read my bio.) When the admiral alluded to keeping tabs on Chinese naval developments, I was comforted that if they could track me, they could probably do pretty well with China.
This is the opposite of the DASM comments you’ll see elsewhere on here. The War College didn’t like the impression just one officer of over a thousand left with me, and moved to correct it. That’s not a bad philosophy for anyone who values the public opinion of their efforts.
The admiral left me with a commemorative coin, and told me that the tradition is, if we meet in a restaurant, whoever is not carrying the coin has to pay. No worries, admiral, the meal is on me. I’ve piloted a B-24, the Goodyear Blimp, and a steam locomotive. How hard could an aircraft carrier be? I’m available.
U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI
Original letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones
Original sextant of Commodore Matthew Perry
Gorgeous setting, musuem in the distance
© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved. Go Navy!
Wayne Botha
Good for you Alan. I am green with envy. Glad that you enjoyed the visit. As you say – Go Navy!
Linda Henman
Alan,
What a gracious acknowledgement of the navy’s efforts to right a wrong. I don’t know if the navy does this, but each year the Air Force invites civilian leaders to attend the final week of thier War Collge. When I attende two years ago, it was an amazing time to learn about history and current events from the senior leaders who are at the helm. Many of us in civilian businesses could learn valuable lessons from the military about how to build a brand!
Alan Weiss
Come back for the photos, Chad must be at the beach.
Very impressive people, just dauntingly physically fit!
Alan Weiss
Ah, the photos have arrived!
John Felkins
Very cool!
Dave Gardner
A map of North Dakota–now that’s laugh-out-loud hilarious!! Well done.
Alan Weiss
They all visited my web site and blog, very impressive. Who knows? Maybe I’ll speak there some day.
Tim Wilson
Alan,
There is no doubt in my mind that you will be asked to speak there.
However, based on the stories you’ve shared about piloting sailboats, I don’t think they let you take the helm of an aircraft carrier. But there is still hope, you just might get to be the backseat driver with the Blue Angles.
Alan Weiss
I’m not asking to dock the carrier, just take it for a spin. Open ocean, what could go wrong? Maybe launch a plane or two…
Tim Wilson
Alan,
I agree what could possibly go wrong in the open ocean and since you won’t have to dock it, you’re all set.
You’re a naval buff, here is a piece of trivia for you, the Naval Academy was at one time located in Newport.
Alan Weiss
The first ship of the Continental Congress, and hence of the future navy, was commissioned in Rhode Island.