Back to Europe!
This is my first blog as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command. I am the first Admiral to assume these two jobs, and the fifteenth officer in a line stretching back to General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
It is humbling to walk in the steps of my distinguished predecessors, and I am excited to join two superb teams – one in Mons, Belgium (SHAPE) and the other in Stuttgart, Germany (EUCOM).
I spent some wonderful years in Europe and am glad to be back. I lived in Greece as a child in the 1960s while my father, a U.S. Marine Corps Officer, served as Assistant Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Greece. My wife, Laura, also lived in Greece during that time, and returned to Europe in the 1970s as a high school student at the U.S. Department of Defense Dependents School in Brussels while her father, a U.S. Naval Aviator, served on the U.S. Mission to NATO. Both Laura and I enjoyed our prior time in Europe, and we are looking forward to more.
You will have noticed that I have titled this blog “From the Bridge.” I’ve done so not because of the naval reference (the bridge is the area on a ship from which it is commanded) but because of the function that both SHAPE and EUCOM serve as important links between the United States and our friends in Europe, effectively “bridging” the Atlantic.
As I look at these two commands, my initial sense is that I will try to continue an approach that worked successfully in my previous command, U.S. Southern Command, which focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean. While the two regions are very different, many of the most important tasks are similar:
- Undertaking international security cooperation in a way that is respectful of the technology, culture and language of our Allies and partners, and increases our collective capability
- Conducting interagency cooperation, and supporting our interagency teammates in their important work
- Focusing strategic communication to articulate our message, coordinating it with Allies, partners and friends, and disseminating it in both traditional and innovative ways
Addressing the EUCOM staff and guests for the first time as the Commander during the Change of Command ceremony on 30 June in Stuttgart. (Photo by David Robinson)
My goal in these first days and weeks is to spend a great deal of time walking around and listening to the teams in both Mons and Stuttgart. I will be visiting all of our components very soon, and will also begin traveling throughout Europe and to Afghanistan.
On the NATO side I will focus on Afghanistan and the many other NATO operations; our relations with Russia, which needs to be constructive and transparent; and on helping with developing a strategic concept for the alliance. I look forward very much to meeting the incoming Secretary-General and renewing a friendship with the current Secretary-General.
From Stuttgart, I want to work hard on developing partnership capacity with our friends throughout the region; conducting effective operations across the spectrum of activity and throughout the region; and enhancing interagency cooperation.
In both Mons and Stuttgart, our ability to articulate our message and communicate it intelligently will be key; it will get a fair amount of my emphasis. As a leader, I’m committed to communicating effectively, transparently, and honestly. The professional characteristics that matter to me are simple: civility, quiet confidence, creativity, teamwork and collaboration, determination, and – above all – honesty and integrity. I’ll write a future post about these characteristics and why I think they are essential.
Let me close with a thank you to everyone at both commands for the superb change of command ceremonies and the warm welcome. I look forward to accomplishing great things working alongside you!
Admiral James G. Stavridis
Commander
United States European Command
Comments: 28
Congratulations ADM Stavridis! Glad to see that you are getting settled in and up on the web already...some intersting developments concerning the web over the past few days. I wish you all the best in shaping the way forward! v/r Mark
Dear Admiral James Stavridis, Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock addressed concerns that some nations weren't as active in the alliance as others, particularly when it came to NATO commitments in Afghanistan. Craddock said NATO can do more to enable member nations to provide support and meet their commitments to the alliance. He suggested including the development of shared resources and the expansion of the NATO mission to include nonmilitary, nation-building activities as ways the alliance could help members become more active. "We as an alliance need to make it easier for individual nations to make those contributions," he said. "We need to help nations financially who are willing to deploy to an operational theater." Such assistance could come, he said, through the use of common or shared resources -- including a funding system that could reduce the strain on national defense budgets. "We must bring new, modern interoperable capabilities to the nations of the alliance, and also collectively to the alliance itself," Craddock said. "I think we should further explore the acquisition of the commonly owned assets." Even more, he said, NATO could redefine its mission in such a way as to enable some nations to participate in nonmilitary ways.) For participation, firstly government people, secondly intellectual, intelligentsia and people understand what is going on, where & why participation. NATO, US Defense Department, State Department doing good job for to explain many thing to the alliance. Donna Miles is describing you : “Stavridis has had a lot of firsts in his military career. He's the first sailor to hold NATO's top military post and command of U.S. European Command. But before that, he was the first geographic combatant commander, at U.S. Southern Command, to use Facebook and a personal blog to convey the importance of partnership and cooperation to confront threats facing Latin America and the Caribbean. Now in his new post, he's wasting no time
Jim, All here appreciate and admire your energy, enthusiasm, and drive to balance your personal commitment to mission success and taking care of (and communicating with) people. The nation is indeed fortunate to have the right leader, in the right place, at the right time. It is an honor and pleasure to call you a friend and colleague.
Thanks for the spectacular reading list. I too am a fan of reading. Even fiction brings a sense of the cultural realities driving the story. Welcome, we're glad to have you here. Thank you for bringing your clear and solid message to 'get on board' with technology and your heartfelt focus on teamwork, honesty and communication.
Admiral, I was hoping you might offer your thoughts on troops using social media. Obviously, you're fan of blogging. Do you encourage the rank and file to blog as well? What about service members with controversial personal or political beliefs, say someone who disagrees with the war in Iraq? To what degree do you think troops should be able to blog -- and use Facebook, Twitter, and other social media -- on government-run networks?What's you're message to commanders and troop leaders who think social media is nothing but a time suck? You seem to be encouraging open, direct two-way communication with this blog. Is this another form of an open-door policy? To what degree does this challenge the traditional thinking in terms of troops using the chain of command to offer suggestions, raise concerns and resolve issues? Will this blog be solely your work or will staff officers ghost write for you? Do you use Twitter? Facebook? Who's your favorite milblogger? What was the last YouTube video you watched? What was the last one that made you laugh? Thanks in advance for your consideration, Jon Anderson Military Times
Sir, you are an example many should follow. I enjoy reading your blog and facebook. I hope that we can accomplish what you have at SOUTHCOM over here at U.S. Africa Command.
ADM Stavridis, Best of Luck to you sir. I am glad to see that someone had the good sense to put a Jumbo in charge! JD Fletcher '01
Dear Admiral, Sir, Thank you for your remarks on effective strategic communication. I have learned that STRATCOM was already conceptually introduced in the US in 2004, now in your own command ACO ( SHAPE ), STRATCOM has emerged under Mr. Laity as an important concept since 2007/2008. My question to you: In which way you would like to understand STRATCOM? Will ACO continue to trigger the concept development of STRATCOM towards NATO HQ, ACT and most importantly, the NATO nations?
Dear Admiral Stavridis, Congratulations on your new assignment. You made us feel very proud. Admiral Sir, we here at this corner of Europe are confident that you shall never forget the 'wooden walls' of the Delphi Oracle that led to the trioumph at Salamis and also Kimon, the son of Miltiadis and his treremes in Asia Minor. Plus so many other outstanding examples that turn men into becoming Great. May I wish you every sucess in your new assignment and may God be with you and guide your steps. Apostolos Spanomanolis Athens - Greece
Dear Admiral James Stavridis! After you left us in S.America and the coup de état in Honduras (that annoyed the leaders from Venezuela and Bolivia) some bad thoughts like ´´what will now hapen to us here`` raised up in my mind. On the other hand, am very glad to learn that you went safely ashore on the ´´Old World`` to face your new challenges in building the so-called Transatlantic Bridge. I am also very confident that you will succeed in making not only a very solid bridge, but a bridge with a free-way in both directions and for everyone, so it may again bring the U.S. much closer to its partners and allies, in the same way as it was once for many years past. I told you once to assemble all your writings to make a best-seller out of it, since again you put forward something very important that, unfortunately, the younger generations are putting aside: the basis for a solid moral code. This, should be the primary basics for those important leaders from so many countries worldwide, who are not committed to communicating effectively, transparently, and honesty with their own country-fellows, resulting in corruption, poverty and, consequently, terrorism and piracy. These basics you mentioned, should be the starting points for the so-called ´´Rich Nations`` to render any assistance and aid to the so-called ``Poor-Nations``. Leaders from the latter ´´invented`` the very dangerous difference between rich and poor to sensibilize folks from those rich (developed) countries, just to obtain loans and other advantages in their own benefit, without improving the living conditions of their own people.You must know this trend from S.America, as well from other nations in ´´development`` or ´´undeveloped``. Politicians in such countries like to use very nice synonims that their own people do not usnderstand, instead of speaking very clearly to avoid misinterpratations. It´s astounding to see how rapidly your blog came into air short after your arrival in EU and already w
ADM Stavridis, As a member of US Army NATO Brigade (USANATO), I'd like to welcome you to the NATO and EUCOM teams. I'm looking forward to the future endeavors that these commands will experience under your leadership. Officially, I am not speaking on behalf of any organization, and the opinions I express are purely my own. After talking to others throughout the organization, I feel confident that I am not the only person who feels this way. Best, Joe
Admiral Stavridis, You get around (after last week in Alameda)! Best of fortune to you and your team. We are here to support you. V/r -Bill Pres, Santa Clara Valley Council Navy League of the United States
Jon, thanks for your comments. And you’re right; I am a fan of blogging as well as a fan of some of the other Social Media tools that are presently being used. I believe technology has helped flatten organizations and opened formal and informal communication channels. I encourage all of my shipmates who are interested to try Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and so on from time to time. The value of Social Media is an extension, if you will, of conversations across the blogosphere. It’s a great way to converse, share ideas, build relationships, and, of course, receive criticism. It’s not for everyone, but I’ve encouraged my staff to engage in Social Media how best they see fit. In my opinion, Social Media is really no different than any other public interaction - service members should look for ways to “tell our story” in a civil, honest and professional way, protecting classified information of course. I truly believe that inviting comments helps unearth feedback that you might never otherwise receive. Those who know me would tell you that I greatly value diverse opinions. So, I encourage critical thought and respectful, professional discourse. You could call Social Media another form of the open-door policy, but I believe it should never replace the chain of command. Blogging and the chain of command both have a role to play in communicating. Both serve a unique role in how we communicate, but I believe blogging, or any other Social Media tool for that matter, should not be a replacement for one-on-one personal interaction or the chain of command in a military organization. Currently, our government computer networks generally do not allow the use of Social Media tools for a variety of security and bandwidth reasons. We have some very smart folks working on alternative mechanisms that preserve the good things we are doing while reducing technical risk and balancing resources, and clearly there is “more to follow” on that aspect of things. In re
Thanks to all for the welcome and kind words! I am grateful especially for your interest in effective strategic communication. The first step, of course, is listening. To that end, I'd like this forum to be a place where we can share ideas and opinions. Please feel free to share your thoughts on how we might communicate most effectively -- or on anything else, for that matter!
Dear Admiral, as a former member of the SHAPE staff ( 2003- 2006) I do wish you all the best for being now in charge of Allied Command Operations which from my perspective should be the `turn-table`of the strategic objectives and visions of NATO into operational business. You mentioned that Strategic communication will be of one of your art to communicate the message. I know from personal expericence that this is a tough terrain because messaging is not all, but to back it with substance! The former COM ISAF, General UK A Richards, used to express his approach to ISAF Operations in 2006 as "information operations rooted in substance.." I think this is also necessary for Strategic communications. And please make sure that STRATCOM will be dealt on strategic level and not exercised on tactical levels where it leads to confusion. Best regards, Peter Beschnidt, LTCol DEU A
Sir, Its great to have you at the helm. I look forward to working with you to further strategic communications vertically and horizontally using traditional and innovative means. One such innovative mean you might be interested in knowing about is the 'Why Afghanistan Matters' contest JFC HQ Brunssum is sponsoring. Please visit www.afghanistanmatters.com. Perhaps when you travel to Afghanistan you could even make a video yourself to show the world why it matters!
Admiral, Congratulations on your recent assignment. As a former shipmate that served in your first Command At Sea 15 years ago, I personally know what a positive experience it is to serve under you. Effective communication is crucial in any complex system; whether that system is made up of Nations, People or equipment. Today, as a scientist and engineer developing complex system of systems, much time is spent on interface design and interface testing to ensure proper communication is achieved. One aspect of communication that is quite often missed is timing. Listing and timing have a symbiotic relationship. Best of luck in your days ahead. Respectfully, Kevin Young
Admiral, continued success, Sir! Very Respectfully, Tony Beason
Admiral: IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PLEASURE TO PARTICIPATE IN AND MEET YOU AT THE COC CEREMONY IN STUTTGART. ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMAN IN THE GER FLEET I WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT AS SACEUR. IF YOU FEEL THE DESIRE FOR SHIP PLANKS UNDER YOUR FEET YOU KNOW WHERE YOU CAN GO . . .
*correction to my post* "Listening and timing have a symbiotic relationship" (not listing).
all our best wishes from the us naval war college in newport. glad to see you up on the net already. let us know how we can help support you.
Welcome to my part of Germany. Guess you will like it here.
Jim-- Congratulations on your new assignment. I know you have a number of challenges ahead but there is no better man to take them on. I'm headed to Afghanistan on Monday as part of my day job, doing something similar to what we did for you all in SOUTHCOM. If I find something of interest to you, I'll share it with you on my return.
Welcome aboard, Sir! You are actually the 15th Commander, European Command, dating back to General Ridgway, and the 16th Supreme Allied Commander Europe, dating back to Eisenhower. And, though I only used it as a secondary source, it's good to see that wikipedia's already got you up on the board! V/R, Rich
(Translated from German) A warm welcome, Bienvenida and Willkomen, dear James Stavridis, sir, to you and your family to Europe and the new challenging, important assignment. All the best, lots of energy, foresight and luck with the soldiers / the new post! For your dear family, like many other soldiers and their families, the peculiarities of the profession requires a good transition into the new social, cultural and personal environment in school, friends and new (military) family life on the European continent. Sincerely, Dirk Hamel, Soldatenglück.de, Berlin
First and foremost "Hail to the accesibility". Opening vertical channels of information to the Chain-of-Command makes a major first impression for the lower echelons.
Commander, Bienvenue sur la passerelle – Welcome to the bridge ! Here from France, we will follow with great attention your new strategic concept for the alliance, and hope we can contribute to its spreading through the european strategic communication networks. Just enjoy your first working weeks visiting around,
JIM: MUCH ON YOUR PLATE OVER WHICH TO SAY GRACE. ALL OF US IN PACIFIC COMMAND WISH YOU THE VERY BEST.