Leadership in Harms Way Essay

26 Jul 05

From: HMC(Sel)(SW) Felipe Villasante

To: Naval Air Reserve Chief Petty Officer Association

Subj: LEADERSHIP IN HARMS WAY ESSAY

1. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines leadership as the office or position of a leader; capacity to lead; the act or an instance of leading, and it defines a leader as a person who has commanding authority or influence; a first or principal performer of a group. In the 1965 movie “In Harm’s Way”, Rear Admiral Torrey displayed the traits of a leader throughout the movie. He took care of his SAILORS, when the widower XO onboard his command was having drinking problems because of the manner and circumstances in which his wife died, RADM Torrey took the time to talk to him and gave him advice on doing the right thing, to quit drinking, let go of the past, and move on with his life. Instead of punishing him, RAMD Torrey tried to help him. During battle, RAMD Torrey was a leader by letting his friend CDR Powell know that it was fine to be afraid, that battles are fought by scared men who find the courage and commitment to fight and carryout the mission. RAMD Torrey surrounded himself with SAILORS he could trust, men who would carry out plans in the face of danger and adversity. I was fond of the scene where the Command Duty Officer onboard the cruiser did not slow down to wait for the ship’s CO