Zumwalt Reformed the Us Navy

Heather Bryant

Bailey

Communications Cluster

9 September 2014

Zumwalt Reformed the US Navy

“Ours must be a Navy family that recognizes no artificial barriers of race, color or religion. There is no black Navy, no white Navy- just one navy: The United States Navy.” (Wilson 1) Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt stood by this motto throughout his career in the US Navy, by advocating for equal rights and ratifying policies, which created a modern Navy. (Sharp 1) Zumwalt enrolled in the US Naval Academy in 1939 and ended his career as a four-star Admiral in 1974. After receiving several accommodations for exceptionally meritorious service, such as a Bronze Star, three gold stars, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Medal. He was promoted as the youngest Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) at 49. (Biography 1-3) Zumwalt entered his new leadership role during a period of internal turmoil.

Beside external issues, such as the Vietnam War, rectifying internal personnel issues were at the top of his list. He was highly concerned about retention rates; in 1970 only 9.5% sailors re-enlisted after their first term of service. (Astor 445) But of bigger concern, were the Navy’s discriminatory philosophies in the treatment of minorities. The Navy typically assigned African American sailors demeaning positions and they hindered their career enhancement by requiring high scores on written examinations, with placing no emphasis on job performance. (Crist 42) Zumwalt was appalled when he heard there were only three African American captains. Also of concern was female participation in the Navy; particularly hampered by a 2% cap of female sailors of the total Navy. (Crist 39) Furthermore, females were not allowed on ships and placed in minimal roles, not where they were best suited. (Crist 40) Even though President Truman established a policy of equal opportunity within the military in 1948, it was now 1970 and there were no programs in place to support this policy. Despite...