1755 EST, April 15, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC
Harm held the venerable Officer's Club door open for Mac as they walked into the historic old building, and they were greeted by one of the attendants. "Commander, Colonel, RADM Chegwidden would like you to join him in the in the bar. May I show you the way?"
More than 200 years of U. S. Naval history was embodied in the club art work, design, and ambience, and Harm and Mac could not help but feel a little of the history. The Admiral's selection of the meeting location certainly opened the partners' minds to a little historical perspective as they were escorted to an alcove table off to the side of the main bar.
"Mac, Harm welcome. I am glad you were able to make it up river in all of the traffic," the tall flag officer said as he stood to greet his friends.
"Thank you sir. We appreciate the invitation. I don't think Mac or I have been in the club in years. In fact, I can't remember being here," Harm said. "Yes sir," Mac spoke up. "I have been through the club at Eighth & I a time or two since I have been in Washington, but I have never been here. It reminds me a little of a museum and a bar."
"Well it is a little of both, and it is the center of gravity for the Navy's high-level scuttlebutt and rumor generation. You are both here this evening for several reasons. You are going to get a practical lesson or two in Navy politics, and you are going to walk away from this conversation into new worlds. I hate to see you go, but it was time, I guess, to break up the JAG team and get a little new blood into the system."
Once drinks were ordered, Glenfiddich for the Admiral, Crown Royal for the Commander, and club soda with lime for the Colonel, the senior officer turned to the business at hand.
"Harm, you are here tonight to 'see and be seen' as troubling as that may sound. You are jumping from the courtroom into the center ring of 21st Century naval politics and you have a starring role. Tom Boone is the headman of a group charged with reviewing and revising the Naval establishment from the bottom up, but you will be the guy who sets the agenda and controls the flow of facts and information. Every son of a bitch and his brother, or sister, will try to work you. Every word you say will be parsed syllable-by-syllable to see what you are thinking, or more importantly what Tom Boone is thinking.
"Of all of the services the Navy is the most tradition bound, Harm, and you are about to be a key player in a process that should turn a lot of tradition on its ear. With that in mind, 'Captain', it will be important for you to appear to have friends in high places to go along with your well- chronicled 'closeness' to Sen. Latham. So, for at least the next few weeks you and I will be seen together on a fairly regular basis. It will be a big help if it looks like you are close to the new guy in the SECDEF's shop that is coordinating the overall DOD bottom-up.
"Once the Boone board files its report someone will have to implement the suggestions that pass muster with SECDEF, SECNAV, and the White House. The President will take the political heat, but it will be the Navy's responsibility to make the changes. Think about that for a minute Harm. Tom Boone is going back to Montana when his job is done. He'll be hunting or fishing, and someone else will have the con on this program. That could be you.
"Harm, you come from a long tradition of Naval service. You know where this could be heading. I can see you as the first of the Rabb family to wear stars.
"The flip side: The aviation lobby, submarine mafia, the Corps, and everybody else will also probably remember how you screwed them over. Careers are made, or lost, over this kind of deal.
"Let me quote Tom Boone on Harmon Rabb for just a moment: 'Harm's a pain in the ass. He's always convinced he's right. His ego won't fit in the hangar deck of the Patrick Henry. Once he's made up his mind about something he has a terrible time changing course. That's not all bad. His new job, our job, is about how our service fits into the 21st century; it's about what we must do to continue to serve, and it's about how we will serve and with what. That's pretty profound stuff, and hard decisions will be made. Staying the course will be a bastard, and it's going to take people who can take criticism, and turn it aside because they know they are right. Harm is that kind of guy. I knew he had a big future 10 years ago, but he could be CNO in a few years with the jump start this will give his career.'
"Harm, that is good stuff, and Boone is not one to throw around that kind of BS without serious thought."
Chegwidden turned his attention to Sarah Mackenzie. "Mac, the Cliff's Notes version of your new assignment is that you have been dumped into a toilet with a small scrub brush. Webb briefed me in this afternoon on how fucked up things are at 3rd MEU, and it's ugly. Blackwater Buckner is the new boss and he's been told to shape that operation up soonest. I've known the general for years and he is one helluva Marine. The intel problem you are walking into can be fixed according to Webb, but you are going to have to fire a ton of people, figure out what and whom you can trust, and get that situation squared away. Webb is sending a liaison person who has his complete trust.
"Intelligence at this level is just like preparing for a difficult trial. You are responsible for piecing a mass of little pieces into a big picture. Mac, it's an art.just like litigation. Webb's a spymaster who trades in information. It will be your job to integrate that product into 'evidence' and into a coherent, usable package of guidance.
"Clay will have a batch of information for you when you report for duty, but he's not going to share anything until all of the old staff has been ditched. It's probably Webb's well-developed sense of paranoia, but he is firmly convinced that anything that goes to into the 3rd goes right out the door to the highest bidder. The Agency and NCIS is working that deal. Don't get involved.
"That's the bad medicine. Here's the good news. There will be a guaranteed promotion and a move to a very attractive spot that has been a gateway to flag rank in the past.if you get through the mess in the Med.
Harm and Mac were both surprised by their usually taciturn commander. Normally a man of few words, A. J. Chegwidden had offered the two officers a view of the future that was hard to fathom, and he had more to say.
"There are two items of business remaining on tonight's agenda that apply to you two. First some practical career guidance from an old man:
"Harm, you are about to sail into some really troubled waters and the seas are going to get rough fast. Tom Boone is a man who is not afraid of a fight with the establishment. It will be your job to be sure the rules of engagement are clear, and to watch his flanks and his back. The Navy has to prepare to protect American maritime interests in a new world, and that will require a different force structure than we have today. That will be a big change. That will upset a lot of apple carts. A lot of important people will be unhappy. Watch your step.
"As an added bonus, The Agency, Webb, the NSC, and the British are absolutely convinced there will be trouble in the Middle East or the Med in the near future. You will be up to your ass discussing changes in the force structure, mission, means and methods in the face of a potential regional war. Sound like fun?
"Webb is persuaded that someone in the Middle East will move on American interests while the Washington establishment is running around in circles trying to figure out the new President. Mac, that is the reason Gen. Buckner has been moved to the 3rd MEU. He's a fighter. He knows the players in the region, and his reputation from the Desert Storm days will serve him well.
"The chaos in the Balkans is a sideshow that may get messy, in his opinion, but the real risk is in the Gulf. That is where American critical interest resides. That's the Third's area of operations. Be ready, or better put: Get ready. Fast. If the balloon goes up in the Gulf again it will be a far different show than the last one, and it potentially could go critical faster and in a more profound way.
"Now, on a personal front. I hate to see the two of you leave jobs you are so good at, but it's important that you stretch yourselves. You have both outgrown your present billets and will be seriously challenged by new jobs and responsibilities. When you leave Falls Church you are going to move into separate chains of command. I trust that you each clearly understand what that means personally.
"Mac, Harm, I am going to say this quickly then we are going to move smartly onto serious war stories, tall tales and sea stories for the balance of the evening. But I want you two to listen closely..
"All of your friends have a heck of a time seeing you two marching off in separate directions all of the time hiding behind some bullshit regulation about fraternization. Unlike Harriett, I don't know if I can see you two walking hand-in-hand off into the future, but damnit you both need to clear the air about your personal lives and your relationship with each other.
"Harm, how many times have you stuck your neck way into a noose for Mac since the O'Hara debacle. Remember what I told you at the airport in Sydney about not looking back? I can tell you that was garbage. Also take a moment and purge my cautionary note after the White House ceremony over your DFC. You and Mac don't work together any more.
"Mac, I understand Webb's Russian freelance cabdriver and part-time spy asked you a critical question on the second crazy ass trip to follow Harm into the dragon's mouth. Something about 'How many artillery attacks have you driven through for your fiancée?'
"I don't propose to have any idea about what should happen next. But I will give you a piece of final advice. Life is not a dress rehearsal for some future play. You only go around once, so grab what joy you can because it's gone all too soon.
"Enough of the maudlin crap . . . "
Harm held the venerable Officer's Club door open for Mac as they walked into the historic old building, and they were greeted by one of the attendants. "Commander, Colonel, RADM Chegwidden would like you to join him in the in the bar. May I show you the way?"
More than 200 years of U. S. Naval history was embodied in the club art work, design, and ambience, and Harm and Mac could not help but feel a little of the history. The Admiral's selection of the meeting location certainly opened the partners' minds to a little historical perspective as they were escorted to an alcove table off to the side of the main bar.
"Mac, Harm welcome. I am glad you were able to make it up river in all of the traffic," the tall flag officer said as he stood to greet his friends.
"Thank you sir. We appreciate the invitation. I don't think Mac or I have been in the club in years. In fact, I can't remember being here," Harm said. "Yes sir," Mac spoke up. "I have been through the club at Eighth & I a time or two since I have been in Washington, but I have never been here. It reminds me a little of a museum and a bar."
"Well it is a little of both, and it is the center of gravity for the Navy's high-level scuttlebutt and rumor generation. You are both here this evening for several reasons. You are going to get a practical lesson or two in Navy politics, and you are going to walk away from this conversation into new worlds. I hate to see you go, but it was time, I guess, to break up the JAG team and get a little new blood into the system."
Once drinks were ordered, Glenfiddich for the Admiral, Crown Royal for the Commander, and club soda with lime for the Colonel, the senior officer turned to the business at hand.
"Harm, you are here tonight to 'see and be seen' as troubling as that may sound. You are jumping from the courtroom into the center ring of 21st Century naval politics and you have a starring role. Tom Boone is the headman of a group charged with reviewing and revising the Naval establishment from the bottom up, but you will be the guy who sets the agenda and controls the flow of facts and information. Every son of a bitch and his brother, or sister, will try to work you. Every word you say will be parsed syllable-by-syllable to see what you are thinking, or more importantly what Tom Boone is thinking.
"Of all of the services the Navy is the most tradition bound, Harm, and you are about to be a key player in a process that should turn a lot of tradition on its ear. With that in mind, 'Captain', it will be important for you to appear to have friends in high places to go along with your well- chronicled 'closeness' to Sen. Latham. So, for at least the next few weeks you and I will be seen together on a fairly regular basis. It will be a big help if it looks like you are close to the new guy in the SECDEF's shop that is coordinating the overall DOD bottom-up.
"Once the Boone board files its report someone will have to implement the suggestions that pass muster with SECDEF, SECNAV, and the White House. The President will take the political heat, but it will be the Navy's responsibility to make the changes. Think about that for a minute Harm. Tom Boone is going back to Montana when his job is done. He'll be hunting or fishing, and someone else will have the con on this program. That could be you.
"Harm, you come from a long tradition of Naval service. You know where this could be heading. I can see you as the first of the Rabb family to wear stars.
"The flip side: The aviation lobby, submarine mafia, the Corps, and everybody else will also probably remember how you screwed them over. Careers are made, or lost, over this kind of deal.
"Let me quote Tom Boone on Harmon Rabb for just a moment: 'Harm's a pain in the ass. He's always convinced he's right. His ego won't fit in the hangar deck of the Patrick Henry. Once he's made up his mind about something he has a terrible time changing course. That's not all bad. His new job, our job, is about how our service fits into the 21st century; it's about what we must do to continue to serve, and it's about how we will serve and with what. That's pretty profound stuff, and hard decisions will be made. Staying the course will be a bastard, and it's going to take people who can take criticism, and turn it aside because they know they are right. Harm is that kind of guy. I knew he had a big future 10 years ago, but he could be CNO in a few years with the jump start this will give his career.'
"Harm, that is good stuff, and Boone is not one to throw around that kind of BS without serious thought."
Chegwidden turned his attention to Sarah Mackenzie. "Mac, the Cliff's Notes version of your new assignment is that you have been dumped into a toilet with a small scrub brush. Webb briefed me in this afternoon on how fucked up things are at 3rd MEU, and it's ugly. Blackwater Buckner is the new boss and he's been told to shape that operation up soonest. I've known the general for years and he is one helluva Marine. The intel problem you are walking into can be fixed according to Webb, but you are going to have to fire a ton of people, figure out what and whom you can trust, and get that situation squared away. Webb is sending a liaison person who has his complete trust.
"Intelligence at this level is just like preparing for a difficult trial. You are responsible for piecing a mass of little pieces into a big picture. Mac, it's an art.just like litigation. Webb's a spymaster who trades in information. It will be your job to integrate that product into 'evidence' and into a coherent, usable package of guidance.
"Clay will have a batch of information for you when you report for duty, but he's not going to share anything until all of the old staff has been ditched. It's probably Webb's well-developed sense of paranoia, but he is firmly convinced that anything that goes to into the 3rd goes right out the door to the highest bidder. The Agency and NCIS is working that deal. Don't get involved.
"That's the bad medicine. Here's the good news. There will be a guaranteed promotion and a move to a very attractive spot that has been a gateway to flag rank in the past.if you get through the mess in the Med.
Harm and Mac were both surprised by their usually taciturn commander. Normally a man of few words, A. J. Chegwidden had offered the two officers a view of the future that was hard to fathom, and he had more to say.
"There are two items of business remaining on tonight's agenda that apply to you two. First some practical career guidance from an old man:
"Harm, you are about to sail into some really troubled waters and the seas are going to get rough fast. Tom Boone is a man who is not afraid of a fight with the establishment. It will be your job to be sure the rules of engagement are clear, and to watch his flanks and his back. The Navy has to prepare to protect American maritime interests in a new world, and that will require a different force structure than we have today. That will be a big change. That will upset a lot of apple carts. A lot of important people will be unhappy. Watch your step.
"As an added bonus, The Agency, Webb, the NSC, and the British are absolutely convinced there will be trouble in the Middle East or the Med in the near future. You will be up to your ass discussing changes in the force structure, mission, means and methods in the face of a potential regional war. Sound like fun?
"Webb is persuaded that someone in the Middle East will move on American interests while the Washington establishment is running around in circles trying to figure out the new President. Mac, that is the reason Gen. Buckner has been moved to the 3rd MEU. He's a fighter. He knows the players in the region, and his reputation from the Desert Storm days will serve him well.
"The chaos in the Balkans is a sideshow that may get messy, in his opinion, but the real risk is in the Gulf. That is where American critical interest resides. That's the Third's area of operations. Be ready, or better put: Get ready. Fast. If the balloon goes up in the Gulf again it will be a far different show than the last one, and it potentially could go critical faster and in a more profound way.
"Now, on a personal front. I hate to see the two of you leave jobs you are so good at, but it's important that you stretch yourselves. You have both outgrown your present billets and will be seriously challenged by new jobs and responsibilities. When you leave Falls Church you are going to move into separate chains of command. I trust that you each clearly understand what that means personally.
"Mac, Harm, I am going to say this quickly then we are going to move smartly onto serious war stories, tall tales and sea stories for the balance of the evening. But I want you two to listen closely..
"All of your friends have a heck of a time seeing you two marching off in separate directions all of the time hiding behind some bullshit regulation about fraternization. Unlike Harriett, I don't know if I can see you two walking hand-in-hand off into the future, but damnit you both need to clear the air about your personal lives and your relationship with each other.
"Harm, how many times have you stuck your neck way into a noose for Mac since the O'Hara debacle. Remember what I told you at the airport in Sydney about not looking back? I can tell you that was garbage. Also take a moment and purge my cautionary note after the White House ceremony over your DFC. You and Mac don't work together any more.
"Mac, I understand Webb's Russian freelance cabdriver and part-time spy asked you a critical question on the second crazy ass trip to follow Harm into the dragon's mouth. Something about 'How many artillery attacks have you driven through for your fiancée?'
"I don't propose to have any idea about what should happen next. But I will give you a piece of final advice. Life is not a dress rehearsal for some future play. You only go around once, so grab what joy you can because it's gone all too soon.
"Enough of the maudlin crap . . . "
