NAVSEA Leadership Gathers in Washington

WASHINGTON - The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) held its annual Commander’s Conference Nov. 15-16 at the Washington Navy Yard.

Leaders from across the entire Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) organization, including the various field activities and the five NAVSEA-affiliated Program Executive Offices - Ships, Carriers, Submarines, Integrated Warfare Systems and Littoral and Mine Warfare - gathered to discuss the organization’s direction for future.

“We discussed how we will conduct the ‘business’ of NAVSEA,” said Vice Adm. Paul Sullivan, NAVSEA commander. “It was a great session on the tough issues we are facing.”

A focal point of the two-day discussion was the evolving Naval Enterprise Construct and NAVSEA’s role in it. Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Mullen, addressed the conference and explained the construct. He has directed lines of communication and behavior be established between the fleet, its providers (the systems commands, program executive offices, etc. who provide material and people resources) and the resource sponsors (the Navy staff and others who provide budget and financial resources).

He explained that the Naval Aviation Enterprise model is the example he would like the other enterprises to follow. “I see a lot of good things and we need to foster them across the Navy.”

During the conference, Sullivan also issued Part One of his Commander’s Guidance. It serves as an overarching document that lays the foundation for NAVSEA’s future efforts. “It is my message to you on what we are about and how we should run our business,” Sullivan told his leaders.

Sullivan also included in the guidance an explanation of this evolving Enterprise Construct and, more importantly, the organization’s role as a provider in it.

“The Enterprise Construct does not reorganize anyone, but it is a profound change to the way organizations conduct business,” said Sullivan.

Sullivan ended the conference with words to focus the assembled leaders. “We have tremendously dedicated people and you are the leadership of an organization that backstops the warfighter.”