This newest edition of Command at Sea includes the valuable guidance for prospective and commanding officers that has been the hallmark of this book since it first appeared as well as addressing the evolving nature of command at sea. This seventh edition has been updated to incorporate new strategic guidance, examines recent changes in fleet structure, and reflects the Navy's and our nation's return to Great Power Competition amidst China's rising assertiveness and a resurgent Russia's efforts to undermine NATO unity in Europe. Of vital importance, this newest edition includes lessons learned from the collisions of USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain. These tragedies prompted the Navy to initiate a Comprehensive Review of Recent Surface Force Incidents that recommended significant actions pertaining to the training, operating, and equipping of surface ships and crews throughout the force. The book provides additional guidance on joint and combined operations, including the need for cooperation and coordination among interagency players as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), both international and domestic. The authors discuss changes in the fleet, including the emergence of recent classes of ships (the Freedom--and Independence-class littoral combat ships and the Virginia-class attack submarines) and the addition of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Finally, the authors provide advice from senior leaders, templates for new commanders to follow as they assume command and a recommended reading list tailored to the challenges and rewards of being a commanding officer.
Girrier, Robert P.: - Rear Adm. Robert Girrier, USN (RET.), is founder and managing member of Strategic Navigation LLC, a consulting company. Serving over thirty-three years in the Navy, he stood-up and led the Navy staff 's first-ever office for unmanned warfare systems. While on active duty he served as Deputy Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, commanded two carrier strike groups, served as the Navy's global mine warfare commander, commanded a forward-deployed destroyer squadron, guided missile destroyer, and a mine countermeasures ship. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland.
Stavridis, James G.: - Admiral James Stavridis is a retired four-star officer who led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter piracy, and cyber security. He served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-2009. Admiral Stavridis earned a PhD in international relations and has published eleven books and hundreds of articles in leading journals around the world. Admiral Stavridis is Chair Emeritus of the U.S. Naval Institute Board, Vice Chair, Global Affairs, at The Carlyle Group, and Chair of the Board of the Rockefeller Foundation. His most recent book is The Sailor's Bookshelf: Fifty Books to know the Sea. Rear Admiral Robert Girrier served as Deputy Commander Pacific Fleet and as Director of Operations for U.S. Pacific Command as well as commanding two carrier strike groups, a destroyer squadron, a destroyer, and a mine countermeasures ship. He holds master's degrees in international affairs, marine affairs, and public administration and is the co-author of seven professional book editions, including Fleet Tactics and Naval Operations, the Watch Officer's Guide and the Division Officer's Guide as well as the previous edition of Command at Sea. Rear Admiral Girrier is President Emeritus of Pacific Forum International, an Indo-Pacific focused foreign policy think tank, and founder and managing member of Strategic Navigation, LLC, providing consulting services for strategy and policy. Rear Admiral Fred Kacher has commanded Expeditionary Strike Group 7, Destroyer Squadron 7, and USS Stockdale (DDG 106). He is the co-author of several professional books, including the Newly Commissioned Naval Officers Guide and Naval Officer's Guide to the Pentagon. A former White House Fellow, he is a recipient of the Surface Navy Association's Elmo Zumwalt Award for Visionary Leadership and the U.S. Navy League's John Paul Jones Inspirational Leadership Award.
