Winning Naval Battles

From: PRECOMUNIT ARLEIGH BURKE

To: NAVSSES PHILADELPHIA PA

DTG: 141742ZMAR90 RR UUUU 0731742

UNCLAS PERSONAL FOR DDG51 ENGINEERS FROM ADMIRAL BURKE //N0000//

SUBJ: Winning Naval Battles

1. As your watch at the Land Based Engineering site comes to an end, I am reminded of some advice I once gave to my squadron of Little Beavers. I told them that all good equipment must be operated with skill the way it should be or it won’t accomplish much. If the systems operators know how to use their equipment, if they have kept the equipment in operating condition, there is a good chance we can win Naval battles. If the equipment doesn’t work in battle, it doesn’t make how much else the officers know, the battle is lost, and so are the people in it. So it can be right handy to be a good engineer first and a brilliant theorist after.
2. You have won your first battle and I am very proud of each one of you. Now it is full speed ahead to get your ship to sea.
3. Admiral Burke sends.

Drafted by: Arleigh A. Burke, Adm, USN (Ret) //s//

Released by: John G. Morgan, Jr., CDR, USN //s//