Standards and expectations from Captain Glen Zeiders (ret), last Commanding Officer of USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) for the Chief’s Mess.

  • Keep your DH informed.  Don’t let me surprise him/her.  I don’t like “stump the dummy”
  • You can’t lead from the chief’s mess!!!
  • Conduct a detailed walkthrough of your spaces every day.  Document and fix problems.  Spend time in your spaces.  Your mere presence will make a difference.
  • Develop pride of ownership.  Formally assign ownership to every sailor in your division
  • Know your equipment cold to build credibility
  • Ensure your equipment works to standard at all times
  • Conduct divisional training 3 times per week.  Work in rate training to help your sailors get advanced.  Document it.  You have made it.  Help them do it too.
  • Maintain a detailed WQSB and WTRP/PQS  goal sheet so sailors know where to go and when, and know what is expected of them.
  • Be a mentor for your sailors, your Divo and fellow CPOs
  • Be involved with PMS, divisional training and all admin aspects of your division
  • Give your sailors a plan – corrective and preventive maintenance, cleaning, preservation, training… liberty when complete
  • Quarters every day.  Read the POD.  Inspect your people
  • Sweepers – twice per day.  Sweepers means more than brooms.  Hot soapy water is not only authorized, but encouraged
  • Know your sailors, their issues and concerns, their professional goals and their retention and advancement status.  Know what makes them tick.
  • Be an honest broker for me.  I value your opinion more than anyone else’s
  • Train your division officer!!!   You are the key to the success of “SWOs at sea”
  • Develop command wide influence
  • Train, Train, Train!