2
The Signature
Direct Line
CMDCM Anna Wood, NAS Sigonella CMC
uon pomeriggio, Sigonella Family! I’m excited to connect B with you again via the Direct Line. It has been a few months since I have had the opportunity to write to you directly, but today I want to discuss the Navy’s Culture of Excellence along with Signature Behaviors and how they apply to us here across our “Sigonella Strong” community. Our Chief of Naval Operations has directed that we achieve a “Culture of Excellence” across our Navy, but I can tell you that this culture can apply to all military members, civilians, children, and the rest of our community. So when I say “Sailors”, please know that I mean all of our community members. So, what exactly is this Culture of Excellence (COE)? A COE is exactly what it sounds like. It is an act of building excellence through our thoughts, behaviors and actions, emphasizing TOUGHNESS, TRUST and CONNECTEDNESS. It is about creating an environment where our Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment complement our Navy ethos (integrity, discipline and teamwork) and core attributes (integrity, accountability, initiative and toughness). Now, the real question is how do we build this Culture of Excellence in our personal and professional lives? Well, I have a list of ten Signature Behaviors to share with you that can help create a transformation of behavior that is applicable at every level of leadership both in and out of the workplace. These ten specific areas look beyond the programs and policies to bring the focus to our Sailors as well as our team, our community, our family, and ourselves. Signature Behaviors are a list of established acceptable behaviors that highlight not only what we expect of our Sailors, but also what Sailors should expect from their leaders and from the United States Navy as a whole. 01. Treat every person with respect 02. Take responsibility for my actions 03. Hold others accountable for their actions 04. Intervene when necessary 05. Be a leader and encourage leadership in others 06. Grow personally and professionally every day 07. Embrace the diversity of ideas, experiences, and backgrounds of individuals 08. Uphold the highest degree of integrity in professional and personal life 09. Exercise discipline in conduct and performance 10. Contribute to team success through actions and attitudes One area we can improve on here onboard NAS Sigonella is our personal behavior surrounding the local decrees in response to COVID-19. Our military community has received more attention than we should concerning our lack of respect to abide by the basics, especially out in town. Loud, elaborate parties are a prime example of disrespectful actions. Orange and red regional classifications prohibit any gatherings beyond two adults (and their dependents) visiting one other household once per day, and we are not exempt from these rules whether we live in the barracks, in Marinai, or out in town. As members of the
military I expect you to take a level of personal responsibility to follow the rules. So I ask that we each reflect on what it means to be a good ambassador of our military community and refrain from violating our host nation’s decree on acceptable behavior. Another area that demands our immediate attention is our driving behavior. We all know that driving in Sicily is very different from what many of us are used to, and too often American drivers take risks here that they wouldn’t at home. We all need to recommit to the responsible behaviors behind the wheel to ensure everybody makes it home safe and sound. Watch your speed, especially on curves; don’t pass cars unsafely; and stay aware of your surroundings. It’s better to arrive late than not arrive at all. A COE is something to work on everyday. You can create a positive culture, but you also need to sustain it. Furthermore, when you work to sustain a COE, you provide a positive example for your shipmates and your community. I challenge each of you to work on your circle of influence and vow to make a difference in the lives that surround you each and every day! “Don’t strive to LOOK awesome, strive to BE awesome!!” You can read about Signature Behaviors in more detail at https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/21st_ Century_Sailor/COE/Pages/default.aspx and at https:// www.cpf.navy.mil/downloads/2020/02/signature-behaviors. pdf
