On Monday, Feb. 24, the University welcomed Admiral Jonathan Greenert, a retired four-star admiral and Chief of Naval Operations, to the Charles Widger School of Law to discuss the current state of geopolitics, global strategy and leadership lessons.
The event began with a welcome from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. and was moderated by Dean Mark Alexander of the Charles Widger School of Law.
Greenert graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1975 with a degree in ocean engineering and was trained to work with Naval Nuclear systems.
“You can look him up and say ‘This is an incredible life,’” Alexander said, beginning the event. Alexander went on to inquire about important leadership lessons from Greenert’s experience.
“My first day as a duty officer, my career almost ended,” Greenert said, telling the story of an incorrect ship repair that almost cost another duty officer his position. “But, I got a second chance, and it seemed to work out.”
Greenert described the importance of second chances, but also the vitality of taking on responsibility and being a leader of a team.
He also described the time he took that responsibility with an iron fist and learned to remember the feelings of his team members. He recalled how he was the only one smiling in a picture with his crew and being incredibly confused because they had accomplished what they had to in order to be a successful ship.
“Sir, you’re driving them to the ground,” his colleague had said.
Admiral Greenert was shocked, but it taught him that it all comes back to treating others with dignity and respect.
“I became a better leader, and it’s a heck of a lesson,” Greenert said.
Following conversation on overcoming challenges and the values of leadership, Dean Alexander dove into the current state of political affairs, specifically focusing on the current terminations of positions being pursued by the Trump administration.
“They have moved out one of your successors, and there has been a lot of change at the top. What are your stances on it?” Alexander asked.
“When you combine those actions and act on policies, what you have is confusion,” Greenert said. “It has caused a lot of confusion. I hope that it is clarified.”
He described the gridlock happening in the government.
In regard to the federal government’s current stances and policies on diversity, equity and inclusion, Greenert described the importance of diversity.
“If you have a strong force, it’s diverse,” Greenert said. “That’s what made the military great.”
Greenert also described the pressing recruiting issue. While this problem has been steadily improved over some recent years, the army and the navy are still falling short in regards to their recruiting standards they aim for each year. Therefore, there should be an emphasis on inclusion, rather than exclusion.
When it comes to the idea of the state of geopolitics facing a never-before-seen era, he has to disagree.
“If you look at the world after World War II, and you say this is unprecedented, I’d say I don’t know,” Greenert said, describing the Suez Canal Crisis, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong’s policies, and the economy and how these historical events parallel much of what is going on today.
While there is undeniable change happening in the military and the government, Greenert said that he is “optimistic about today.”
Primarily, he looks to the economy and recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the close cooperation the United States has with allies currently is another pillar of hope. Greenert referenced Prime Minister Modi of India’s recent visit to the White House, which he described as incredible.
Additionally, Greenert pointed to the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and how its endurance is another thing to applaud. Historically, he described the ongoing friendly relations between Korea and Japan as another immensely impressive feat.
“Those things line up,” Greenert said.
In spite of all the massive changes happening at the federal level, Greenert emphasizes people cannot ignore the current state of geopolitics and the recent successes thus far.
