WINDS OF CHANGE
By Corvette Lead
Author's Note - Rated PG for language. Additional chapters may have different ratings. Spoilers: none.
DISCLAIMER All JAG characters are the property of others. No cash has changed hands, nor is any profit sought. I'm just moving the pieces around.
0745 EST
It was a familiar dance between the tall, strong-willed flag officer and his yeoman.
"Admiral, BUPERS called again this morning asking about FITREPS. The leading chief over there is trying to get all of the paperwork moving because the new SECDEF is leaning on the SECNAV, and.."
"Damnit Tiner! I know they want the FITREPS in, and I will have the last of them this morning. Assuming that nothing from the real navy gets in the way of the bureaucrat nonsense." With that left-handed promise CPO Tiner beat a quick retreat from A. J. Chegwidden's office.
Regular fitness reports were required from all commanders rating their officers, and the wheels of progress were squeaky indeed when all of the paperwork wasn't hacked into place on time. Most of the Judge Advocate General's staff had been rated. The completed files were neatly stacked in the out basket. Three were not, and that was burr under the Admiral's sea blanket.
Mattoni, Imes, Singer, Roberts (Harriet), and the others had been completed days ago. In fact the Admiral's Chief of Staff had signed off the required review with the rated officer last Wednesday and the paperwork was ready for shipment to the staff plunders at BUPERS.
Three files remained out of the 43 officers assigned to JAG headquarters, and the hard edged former SEAL was having a hard time bringing himself to complete the ratings forms, draft the necessary recommendations, and forward the files.
Commander Harmon Rabb.
Lt. Col. Sarah MacKenzie
Lt. "Bud" Roberts
Each officer was going to see changes in their life once the FITREPS were put into the Navy's paperwork mill. All were in line for promotion. All were slated for more responsibility, and "God Damnit! they were all probably headed for new assignments and out of JAG, Chegwidden muttered.
The new administration recently sworn in to the White House brought major turnover at the DOD. The new Vice President was the Gulf War SECDEF. He knew the ropes. Hell, he even knew some of the people. The new SECNAV was going to have to make some changes to keep his boss happy.that much Chegwidden knew as fact.
The Vice President, in fact, told the Admiral out of school that the new President was going to order a "bottom up" review of the American military's doctrine, staffing, equipment, plans, and objectives. "A rehash of the old will not cut it," the Vice President said one evening during a reception at the Marine Barracks. "AJ, all of the services are going to have bring a fresh look at their charters to the table, or someone will do it for them," the Vice President flatly offered.
Winds of change, Chegwidden concluded, would probably blow at least some of the key people right out of his command. What the Admiral did not know was they the same winds would blow him out of Falls Church and up the river to The Pentagon.or out to retirement.
2045 EST
Shadows from the crackling fireplace danced across the historic office as AJ finally ordered himself to move to the three officer's records. Over the course of the last few days a legal pad had accumulated his abbreviated thoughts about the three officers, and he looked over his notes before setting his hand to the final FITREPs.
RABB
Academy grad with long ties to the Naval establishment. Strong willed officer tenacious in his pursuit of the truth.where ever it takes him Holder of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, but an aging pilot who left the fleet to return to JAG after discovering his future in Naval aviation had passed him up. Hard man to keep on the reservation politically. Not afraid to take unpopular stands, but apparently unable to take an objective look at his own personal life. Lack of family stability will make him hard to promote much beyond his current grade. An above average lawyer and highly imaginative litigator. Would be a great combat leader with tremendous personal courage.but would need a strong second to mind the administrative store.
MACKENZIE
Solid legal scholar and honors graduate of the Duke University law school. Pragmatic officer who can keep her head in the face of multiple challenges. Has a proven willingness to run to the sound of gunfire. Solid litigator with flashes of courtroom brilliance. Relentless interrogator. Served with troops in the Balkans receiving a Bronze and Silver Star. Faced down multiple personal challenges to reach her current rank. A solid prospect as a staff officer, but not so sure about a larger command without more seasoning.
ROBERTS
Possibly the best legal practitioner on the entire staff blending the best of Rabb's bulldog nature with MacKenzie's legal guile. Strong, solid home life. Steady. Will stay the course. A good man in a storm. Can balance immediate needs with long-term objectives. Probably based on his PIO (public information office) background when in the fleet.
"Well, shit! I guess it's time to finish these off," Chegwidden thought as he slid his keyboard out of the drawer to the right of the desk. He opened the Commander's Comments and Recommendations section of the Lieutenant's file and started to type:
"The lieutenant is a solid officer and credit to the U. S. Navy who meets all of the requirements for promotion to Lt. Commander. His 4.0 performance of all assigned duties reflects positively on this office, his immediate supervisor, and the Navy in general.
"Lt. Roberts should be retained in the JAG headquarters operation, and it would be my recommendation that if the needs of the service require him to be moved to a different posting ashore or with the fleet it be done keeping in mind the following:
"The lieutenant, even at this early stage of his career, has demonstrated the characteristics of an officer destined for upper levels of responsibility in the Navy's legal establishment."
After the comments were printed and signed AJ attached the DF to the cover and put the file into the confidential out basket, and, turning to the MacKenzie file, glanced over his notes, then started to type again.
"This hard headed Marine has grown into an outstanding Chief of Staff who has developed the critical skill of balancing priorities that is vital today as we attempt to do more and more with fewer and fewer people. Her career and personal growth over the last two years has made this officer one of the most important members of the JAG senior staff.
"Her legal achievements, when coupled with her accomplishments while detailed to other agencies within the legal and security services have made her valuable commodity to any command ashore or afloat.
"The undersigned would recommend this officer for promotion to Colonel without reservation and endorse reassignment to any posting within the naval legal establishment. If, however, the needs of the service require reassignment to duty with troops as a staff officer, deputy battalion commander, or similar post I would strongly recommend at least an additional year in the present grade for seasoning at the command level."
"Jesus!" AJ thought. "That sounds cold, but it's true. Mac is a helluva Marine and a good officer, but she needs some time to get her feet back under her if she is sent back to the Fleet Marines. The best job in the world for Mac would be as Harm's deputy, caddy, watchdog, or keeper.wherever the heck he's sent." In fact, that would be worth calling in a favor or two.AJ thought.
The Rabb file was all that was left, and that was going to be a tough one to complete. The objective parts of the FITREP were filled with 4.0 ratings, but the commander's notes would be a stone cold bitch, AJ thought.
"This officer," AJ began, "has served under my command on two occasions distinguishing himself and this office in the many ways. His fearless service while on TDY within the security and intelligence service has lead to the award of an Intelligence Star (Confidential), and his single-minded search for the truth has frequently created controversy as well as illumination.
"Commander Rabb is uniquely qualified for promotion to the rank of Captain although he may be slightly outside the zone. A promotion from the 5% list would be merited.
"This officer's tendency to 'think outside the box' can be a tremendous asset, although he, at times, can focus on near-term problem at the expense of long-term implications.
"Should this officer be promoted to command rank? Absolutely. He is a natural leader.a commander in the most natural sense."
At 2325 EST AJ Chegwidden signed the final FITREP and poured two fingers of single malt scotch into a tumbler and thought back over the past as the future started to crystallize on the winds of change.
Author's Note - Rated PG for language. Additional chapters may have different ratings. Spoilers: none.
DISCLAIMER All JAG characters are the property of others. No cash has changed hands, nor is any profit sought. I'm just moving the pieces around.
0745 EST
It was a familiar dance between the tall, strong-willed flag officer and his yeoman.
"Admiral, BUPERS called again this morning asking about FITREPS. The leading chief over there is trying to get all of the paperwork moving because the new SECDEF is leaning on the SECNAV, and.."
"Damnit Tiner! I know they want the FITREPS in, and I will have the last of them this morning. Assuming that nothing from the real navy gets in the way of the bureaucrat nonsense." With that left-handed promise CPO Tiner beat a quick retreat from A. J. Chegwidden's office.
Regular fitness reports were required from all commanders rating their officers, and the wheels of progress were squeaky indeed when all of the paperwork wasn't hacked into place on time. Most of the Judge Advocate General's staff had been rated. The completed files were neatly stacked in the out basket. Three were not, and that was burr under the Admiral's sea blanket.
Mattoni, Imes, Singer, Roberts (Harriet), and the others had been completed days ago. In fact the Admiral's Chief of Staff had signed off the required review with the rated officer last Wednesday and the paperwork was ready for shipment to the staff plunders at BUPERS.
Three files remained out of the 43 officers assigned to JAG headquarters, and the hard edged former SEAL was having a hard time bringing himself to complete the ratings forms, draft the necessary recommendations, and forward the files.
Commander Harmon Rabb.
Lt. Col. Sarah MacKenzie
Lt. "Bud" Roberts
Each officer was going to see changes in their life once the FITREPS were put into the Navy's paperwork mill. All were in line for promotion. All were slated for more responsibility, and "God Damnit! they were all probably headed for new assignments and out of JAG, Chegwidden muttered.
The new administration recently sworn in to the White House brought major turnover at the DOD. The new Vice President was the Gulf War SECDEF. He knew the ropes. Hell, he even knew some of the people. The new SECNAV was going to have to make some changes to keep his boss happy.that much Chegwidden knew as fact.
The Vice President, in fact, told the Admiral out of school that the new President was going to order a "bottom up" review of the American military's doctrine, staffing, equipment, plans, and objectives. "A rehash of the old will not cut it," the Vice President said one evening during a reception at the Marine Barracks. "AJ, all of the services are going to have bring a fresh look at their charters to the table, or someone will do it for them," the Vice President flatly offered.
Winds of change, Chegwidden concluded, would probably blow at least some of the key people right out of his command. What the Admiral did not know was they the same winds would blow him out of Falls Church and up the river to The Pentagon.or out to retirement.
2045 EST
Shadows from the crackling fireplace danced across the historic office as AJ finally ordered himself to move to the three officer's records. Over the course of the last few days a legal pad had accumulated his abbreviated thoughts about the three officers, and he looked over his notes before setting his hand to the final FITREPs.
RABB
Academy grad with long ties to the Naval establishment. Strong willed officer tenacious in his pursuit of the truth.where ever it takes him Holder of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, but an aging pilot who left the fleet to return to JAG after discovering his future in Naval aviation had passed him up. Hard man to keep on the reservation politically. Not afraid to take unpopular stands, but apparently unable to take an objective look at his own personal life. Lack of family stability will make him hard to promote much beyond his current grade. An above average lawyer and highly imaginative litigator. Would be a great combat leader with tremendous personal courage.but would need a strong second to mind the administrative store.
MACKENZIE
Solid legal scholar and honors graduate of the Duke University law school. Pragmatic officer who can keep her head in the face of multiple challenges. Has a proven willingness to run to the sound of gunfire. Solid litigator with flashes of courtroom brilliance. Relentless interrogator. Served with troops in the Balkans receiving a Bronze and Silver Star. Faced down multiple personal challenges to reach her current rank. A solid prospect as a staff officer, but not so sure about a larger command without more seasoning.
ROBERTS
Possibly the best legal practitioner on the entire staff blending the best of Rabb's bulldog nature with MacKenzie's legal guile. Strong, solid home life. Steady. Will stay the course. A good man in a storm. Can balance immediate needs with long-term objectives. Probably based on his PIO (public information office) background when in the fleet.
"Well, shit! I guess it's time to finish these off," Chegwidden thought as he slid his keyboard out of the drawer to the right of the desk. He opened the Commander's Comments and Recommendations section of the Lieutenant's file and started to type:
"The lieutenant is a solid officer and credit to the U. S. Navy who meets all of the requirements for promotion to Lt. Commander. His 4.0 performance of all assigned duties reflects positively on this office, his immediate supervisor, and the Navy in general.
"Lt. Roberts should be retained in the JAG headquarters operation, and it would be my recommendation that if the needs of the service require him to be moved to a different posting ashore or with the fleet it be done keeping in mind the following:
"The lieutenant, even at this early stage of his career, has demonstrated the characteristics of an officer destined for upper levels of responsibility in the Navy's legal establishment."
After the comments were printed and signed AJ attached the DF to the cover and put the file into the confidential out basket, and, turning to the MacKenzie file, glanced over his notes, then started to type again.
"This hard headed Marine has grown into an outstanding Chief of Staff who has developed the critical skill of balancing priorities that is vital today as we attempt to do more and more with fewer and fewer people. Her career and personal growth over the last two years has made this officer one of the most important members of the JAG senior staff.
"Her legal achievements, when coupled with her accomplishments while detailed to other agencies within the legal and security services have made her valuable commodity to any command ashore or afloat.
"The undersigned would recommend this officer for promotion to Colonel without reservation and endorse reassignment to any posting within the naval legal establishment. If, however, the needs of the service require reassignment to duty with troops as a staff officer, deputy battalion commander, or similar post I would strongly recommend at least an additional year in the present grade for seasoning at the command level."
"Jesus!" AJ thought. "That sounds cold, but it's true. Mac is a helluva Marine and a good officer, but she needs some time to get her feet back under her if she is sent back to the Fleet Marines. The best job in the world for Mac would be as Harm's deputy, caddy, watchdog, or keeper.wherever the heck he's sent." In fact, that would be worth calling in a favor or two.AJ thought.
The Rabb file was all that was left, and that was going to be a tough one to complete. The objective parts of the FITREP were filled with 4.0 ratings, but the commander's notes would be a stone cold bitch, AJ thought.
"This officer," AJ began, "has served under my command on two occasions distinguishing himself and this office in the many ways. His fearless service while on TDY within the security and intelligence service has lead to the award of an Intelligence Star (Confidential), and his single-minded search for the truth has frequently created controversy as well as illumination.
"Commander Rabb is uniquely qualified for promotion to the rank of Captain although he may be slightly outside the zone. A promotion from the 5% list would be merited.
"This officer's tendency to 'think outside the box' can be a tremendous asset, although he, at times, can focus on near-term problem at the expense of long-term implications.
"Should this officer be promoted to command rank? Absolutely. He is a natural leader.a commander in the most natural sense."
At 2325 EST AJ Chegwidden signed the final FITREP and poured two fingers of single malt scotch into a tumbler and thought back over the past as the future started to crystallize on the winds of change.
