Ask the Chief: Backbone of the Navy [Hardcover]

J. F. Leahy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

Whenever sailors are confronted with "unsolvable" problems - be it a fouled anchor or paint that won't dry - they often throw up their hands and exclaim, "We'd better ask the Chief." That refrain, heard for generations throughout the Navy, is the theme for Jack Leahy's newest book. Written at sea, the book provides a compelling picture of the Chief Petty Officer's community in the U.S. Navy. As a guest of the Chief Petty Officer's mess aboard USS George Washington during Operation Enduring Freedom, Leahy was granted complete and unfettered access to all areas of the massive carrier and the other ships in her battle group. He interviewed nearly one hundred Navy Chiefs from the aviation, surface, submarine, and special warfare communities and recounts stories of their daily life at sea. In doing so, he presents the true backbone of the modern Navy: the wisdom, character, and dignity of the Chief Petty Officer's community. This book of contemporaneous oral history follows the format that proved so successful with Leahy's earlier book on Navy boot camp. Color photographs help bring the story to life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. F. Leahy, a Navy veteran and university professor, is the author of Honor, Courage, Commitment and coauthor of the forthcoming Chief Petty Officer's Manual.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: United States Naval Inst. (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591144604
• ISBN-13: 978-1591144601
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Officers run the Navy, but Chiefs make the Navy run., April 9, 2007

By 

J. C. Roberts "The Mysterious Irresponsible Man" (Higashi-Hemi-Cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Honshu, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ask the Chief: Backbone of the Navy (Hardcover)

"Ask The Chief: Backbone of the Navy" is a book by J. F. Leahy that tries to answer the question, "What is a Chief Petty Officer?" Instead of trying to answer the question himself, the author wisely lets the Chiefs speak for themselves. In 14 chapters, Leahy gives us an overview of the Chief Petty Officer continuum, from the newest initiates to the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the Navy's senior enlisted advisor who reports directly to the Chief of Naval Operations.

Mr. Leahy spent time aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) and the Guided missile Cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), and interacted closely with the Chief's Mess on both ships. He works from first principles (Leadership, Development, Communication & Support) and proceeds through the real meat-and-potatoes of just what it is Chiefs do in the Navy each day. I've learned a lot from this book, and would unhesitatingly recommend it for anyone who aspires to "Be the Chief".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chiefs are really the backbone of the navy, January 22, 2007

By 

Guy C. Rowland "Ask the Chief" (Edwardsville, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ask the Chief: Backbone of the Navy (Hardcover)

I retired as a senior chief with 27 years in the U.S. Navy in 1987. This book hits the nail on the head. Chiefs have always made things happen and run the daily operations with great success. It is true that officers who suceed in their careers will tell you of "the chief" who took them under their wing and put them on the right track. If you are lucky enough to know one, ask the chief.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Elite Lifetime Fraternity Known to Man!, January 31, 2011

By 

LiteBlue Gator (California Swamp) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ask the Chief: Backbone of the Navy (Hardcover)

Any man or woman who may be asked what they have done worthwhile in their life can with the utmost pride state" I served as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy.

I retired as a Independent Duty Corpsman & Senior Chief Petty Officer from the United States Navy and as far as I am concerned this elite organization gave me the tools to remain a star perfomer (no pun intended) for life.

As the challenge coin in my pocket reminds me, and illustrates to challengers "no man is more professional than I. I am a chief petty officer, a leader of men. As a chief petty officer I realize that I am a member of an elite group which is known as the backbone of the Navy. I will not forget nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professional chief petty officers and leaders of people."

This book is a "must have" for everyone who has been initiated to or aspires to be a Chief, Senior, or Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy. The interviews are dynamic with CPO's delivering informative interviews about past, present, and future culture in the greatest maritime force on the planet.

The CPO Mess is truly "a fratenity that is different in substance and appearance in comparison to all other services." I would have to agree as pointed out in this great hardcover book that leadership, development, communication and support are the four critical elements to CPO group dynamics and cohesion.

The role of a CPO doesn't end at retirement. It is much needed, and must be continued, and tailored to life in the civilian community and workforce labor unions.