On the Glideslope for Retirement

By VADM Dean Peters, USN

The word “retirement” conveys a distinct aspect of finality - the end of the line, the closing of a one-way door. So, as I prepare for transition this Fall, I want to take a moment to share some thoughts while still in uniform. First of all, it’s really good to have this forum to connect. The Rotary Wing Community is a special band of warfighters, and Rotor Review provides a SITREP on topics of immediate interest throughout one’s career. I’ve also found that it’s great for keeping everything in perspective. Feeling boastful? Read about the Coast Guard crew that rescued shipwreck victims in Sea State 5.

Commissioned in May 1985 and winged in August 1986, I’ve seen some major changes in the Navy, and none more remarkable than the importance and lethality of the Rotary Wing Community. We now have the sensors, links, and weapons systems to play a significant role in the spectrum of conflicts that the Navy is tasked to manage. Rotary Wing aviation is integral to the carrier strike group, expeditionary strike group, surface action group and independent steamer. Our intrepid aviators, making use of diverse capabilities, can control the network, extend the reach of ships and air wings, and complete the kill chain, when required. It’s pretty amazing what Rotary Wing brings to the fight.

Another big change is the upper mobility of our personnel, both officers and enlisted. We’re now routinely represented at the 3-star level and even have a 4-star Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Our maintainers go on to become Senior Chiefs, Master Chiefs and are highly competitive for Command Master Chief positions. Although this might be an overgeneralization, Rotary Wing aviators and maintainers are inherently problem solvers due to the ever-changing, multimission nature of our tasking (and the complicated nature of our aircraft). We also tend to have a solid understanding of the surface and sub-surface communities and operations due to the nature of our mission sets. All of this is good for the Navy, and brings diversity of experience and thought to the upper levels of Navy leadership.

By way of lessons learned, I’ll offer just one thing that I wish I had known earlier in my career - the importance of our core values: honor, courage, commitment, and now also respect. The Navy core values are like an anchor chain. You don’t always need the security that a strong anchor chain provides, but when you need it, you really need it. It’s not only important to live the core values, but also to hold ourselves and each other accountable. This accountability is the aspect that I wish I had realized earlier. Erosion of accountability is almost always a leading indicator of unit and organizational ineffectiveness, and is often the precondition for calamitous collapse. I want to thank those who have gone before us in uniform. They have set the conditions for professionalism, for transformation, and for community success.

As part of my transition request to SECDEF, I had to answer the following question: what is your proudest accomplishment?

There are many events that I look back on with pride: reenlistments, watching those who I have mentored take command, winning various unit awards and recognitions. Ultimately, this is what I submitted: "As a helicopter pilot, I am most proud of the capabilities that have been delivered to the Rotary Wing Community, as well as the high level of sustained readiness and exemplary safety record of our Fleet equipment. Throughout my career, and even as a flag officer, I have been blessed to operate Rotary Wing aircraft, lead a Rotary Wing squadron, and be in subsequent positions that directly support the Rotary Wing Community. You really can’t ask for more from a Naval career.."

The Rotary Wing Community is a special band of warfighters. Keep learning, keep accelerating, keep holding each other accountable, and by all means, keep your turns up!

With utmost respect, Dean Peters Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy