Navy's top officer lists diversity No. 1 priority

By EARL KELLY, Staff Writer

Capital Gazette Communications

Published 04/25/09

While visiting the Annapolis High School Navy Junior ROTC program yesterday, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead said his top long-term priority is increasing diversity in the officer corps.

Arianne Teeple — For The Capital Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead tells about 90 Annapolis High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets and faculty officers Friday that a life of service — whether spent in uniform or not — is exciting and rewarding. One of only two people to ever command both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, Roughead also visited with Naval Academy midshipmen who are about to graduate and receive commissions as junior officers.

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He said he also is working to ensure the Navy gets the weapons systems it will need to defend the nation 30 years from now.

The Navy is doing well, Roughead said, even though the federal budget is tight.

"We have been able to keep major shipbuilding and aircraft-building going, and care for sailors," he said. Sailors and their families "live better (today) than I have ever seen."

Roughead said there...

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Nathan the Shocker - 2009-04-25 19:57:47

Natty, you listen to too much hate radio my friend. Relax and let the love of a man flow into you---yes, yes. You may feel like calling people bad names, but by doing so you are allowing the abuse from your father to fester inside you and kill all of your chances at joy. Let go my angry friend, and Let God heal you with his love.

Tina.

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Tina Schubbie - annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Politically Correct... - 2009-04-25 18:12:23

...moron. How insulting to all the white males that have applied themselves and achieved their dreams. We need the best and most qualified officers leading our military, not Adm. Boneheads thinly disguised affirmative action plans. You will also find a greater lack of diversity among Navy SEALS and other high performing units in the military. Why don't you just swap 'um out and replace them with other less qualified folks based upon their sex and skin color. Then send them to shoot pirates. You may not realize it, Adm. Bonehead, but you are also insulting the women and minority personnel that do make the grade. Their qualifications will always be looked upon with suspicion. But there are lots of unqualified white males in the Navy Officer Corps, too. I watched fellow officers with excellent leadership skills bested by the likes of Adm. Bonehead who were more adept at career management, political correctness and other dark arts of moving up the corporate ladder. Weve lost all the real wars since WWII; no wonder with bozos like this leading the troops.

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Nathan D. - Arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral