Review Saltwater Leadership, Second Edition

Almost at the same time as the article by K.z.S. Nils Brandt, Commander SSS Gorch Fock, on the importance of sail training for the prospective naval officers of the German Navy on 19 July 2021 in MarineForum Online, the U.S. Naval Institute will publish the second edition of Saltwater Leadership. Written by highly experienced naval officers, it is intended to serve as a foundation for the first steps of prospective naval officers in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S. Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine as leaders of subordinate personnel. It is deliberately written as a short, simple book that can be read in five-minute sentences by the young and ever-busy naval officer. It is not an academic treatise, not a literary work. The authors' main message to the young readership is: leadership counts, leadership can be learnt, it does not have to be given at birth.

In ten chapters, the authors then cover everything from leadership for young leaders at sea, a brief history of leadership, defining leadership through lists and leadership lessons for young officers, to caring for people, vigorous support of subordinates, culture, professional competence and advice on leadership from those who have practised it successfully, ending with a chapter on becoming and being a leader. This is followed by an appendix with 35 selected books on leadership and an appendix with questions to and answers from successful leaders from the past such as generals, politicians, business leaders and authors.

Even though this little book is tailored to American conditions, it can also be a very edifying read and help for prospective naval officers in other nations. The special nature of the profession of a naval officer, which is characterised by rough nature and the sea, the need to work constantly in a team, but also to represent one's own country, shines through in all the contributions. It should therefore also find its place in the kitbag of prospective German naval officers.

Heinz Dieter Jopp Barmstedt, July 2021

RADM Robert Wray Jr. USN (Ret.), CDR Andrew K. Ledford USN, VADM John B. Mustin USN, RDML Theodore P.S. LeClair USN: Saltwater Leadership Second Edition, A Primer on Leadership for the Sea Services, USNI August 2021, Annapolis, 232 p.