Change of Command, A Note of Humility

At one time or another, every submariner (probably every Sailor and most military people in general) has quipped "why does he get the medal? I was the one who did all the work!" I know I have personally uttered it on occasion, and heard it muttered much more than that. This morning as I was reading the news I chanced upon a story that went the other way. A Rear Admiral that is truly deserving of the award he received, but deferred to his Sailors and his submarines as the truly deserving.

During the ceremony, Donnelly recited Haney's achievements at Submarine Group Two since October 2006, then pinned the Legion of Merit medal on him for outstanding service.

Haney does not like to say much about his own accomplishments. When asked, he usually changes the topic to the successes of his submarines and his sailors.

On Friday, he accepted the medal on behalf of the sailors of Submarine Group Two.

“It is their efforts that we applaud, and clearly those lists of achievements weren't done by me,” Haney said. “They were done by the sailors of our submarine force.”

- http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=ce95a1d4-f20a-4fbe-b221-9b46a21fce60

Adm Donnelly pins the Legion of Merit on Rear Adm Haney at the Change of Command ceremony for COMSUBGRP TWO in Groton. Rear Admiral Grooms, right, relieved Adm. Haney.

Congratulations to the Sailors of Group Two, as well as the efforts of Adm. Haney who truly deserves the medal he is awarded.

Criteria for awarding of the Legion of Merit: awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the performance of meritorious service to the United States. The performance must merit recognition by individuals in a key position which was performed in a clearly exceptional manner. The performance of duties normal to the grade branch, specialty or assignment and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award.

For service rendered in peacetime, the term "key individual" applies to a narrower range of positions than would be the case in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement. In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions.

Rear Admiral Cecil Haney bio: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=317