Page 18 - Navy Journal 219

Navy Journal 2019

The second level from the top spanning beyond 32 years of service by an
officer can be for ‘Strategic Qualifications’. Having been able to reach this level,
the individual is now expected to be a ‘Flag Officer ’. She/he will be required to
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have attended some higher defence management courses and be experienced
with national/strategic level policy formulation and executions. Individuals at
this level are fit for employment as PSO in NHQ, Area Command/Admin Auth
in appropriate billets, and head of service/organisation in secondments.
The topmost level is the ‘Self-Actualisation and Transcendence’. This
most probably will be attained only by professionals serving in the senior most
appointment in the Navy. This is the peak in the career of an officer, and only a
few is ever expected to reach this. Individuals at such national level command
and policy directions might be characterised by encouraging and patronising
others to achieve similar feats.
Notably, all these needs will function in dynamic relationship similar to
that shown in Figure 4. The need to be physically fit for military duty will remain
until the last day on active duty though it might not be as paramount. Professional
knowledge will continue to remain important even during later days when higher
management skills will tend to form major part of one’s job description. It is also
evident from Figures 5 and 6 that one cannot attain any of the higher levels
without achieving the ones below that.
The Navy is a professional service that requires one of the highest levels
of dedication along with creativity for working in a highly unforgiving
environment like the sea. The work at times appears too usual and almost
monotonous; yet the environment can be so challenging that simple tasks appear
too much to perform and assets and lives might be lost in seconds. So, the
training, preparedness, and motivation for both personnel and equipment must be
at their prime. Every individual must know the capabilities and limitations of
both personnel and equipment so that they can perform when survival of the ship
and her crew might depend on utilising such knowledge. Such outcome might be
possible on some occasions with routine work. However, a wartime scenario will
never present any occasion for second attempts, and so all arrangements in
peacetime must be aimed at achieving fail-proof preparations. Such capabilities
and delivery is seldom possible without the highest level of motivation. So,
officers must know their subordinates well to keep them motivated with
inspirations to excel. Only a motivated crew can maintain the high level of
material preparedness expected from a ship fit for actions at sea.

6. A Flag Officer in the Navy is an officer of the rank of Rear Admiral and Above (ie, 2-Star and Above).

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