From the Deckplates: A Chief's Guide to Naval Leadership for New Officers

New naval leadership requires practical, frontline guidance that translates division dynamics, crisis response, and ethical decisions into actionable, officer-ready strategies.

From the Deckplates provides new naval officers with the practical wisdom and guidance typically shared only in the Chiefs' Mess—the unwritten rules, human element, and real-world advice that technical manuals cannot capture.

Drawing from 26 years of naval service as a Senior Chief, Don R. Sawyer has created a comprehensive guide that addresses the real challenges new officers face: managing divisions, working with Chiefs, navigating wardroom politics, earning warfare qualifications, and developing into effective leaders.

The book covers the full spectrum of naval leadership from a Chief’s perspective: wardroom dynamics, division structure and team building, communication strategies, crisis leadership, ethical decision-making, digital leadership, and career development. Each chapter includes practical examples, concentrated wisdom, and actionable advice providing the enlisted perspective.

This book fills a critical gap in naval professional development literature, providing the authentic voice and practical wisdom that Chiefs share with junior officers—the guidance that makes the difference between struggling and thriving in naval leadership.

Table of Contents

From the Senior Chief’s Desk
Acknowledgements
Your Chart and Compass

1 Welcome Aboard, Buttercup
2 The Wardroom: More Than Just a Mess Hall
3 Earning Your Warfare Pin: It’s Not Just About the Book
4 Understanding Your Division Structure
5 Building Your Division Team
6 Leading by Example: They’re Always Watching
7 Communicating like a Chief: Beyond the Brief
8 Building Unity and Trust: The “Chiefs’ Mess” Mentality
9 Empowerment and Results: Salutes Don’t Steer the Ship
10 Navigating the Unexpected: Surprises Are Only Fun at Birthday Parties
11 Cultivating Excellence: Beyond “Good Enough”
12 Mentorship and Development: Building Your Legacy
13 Sustaining the Spirit: More Than Just Coffee
14 Your Personal Voyage: Navigating Your Own Career
15 The Long Haul: From Ensign to Captain
16 The Final Voyage: Your Legacy of Leadership
17 Beyond Physical Readiness
18 Crisis Leadership Beyond Operations
19 Digital Leadership and Technology Integration
20 Ethical Leadership in the Gray Zone
Conclusion: The Ongoing Voyage
Fair Winds and Following Seas

Chief’s Corner: The Appendices
I Unwritten Rules (Ensign Edition)
II Decoding Chief Petty Officer Communication for Junior Officers
III Essential ChiefSpeak
IV Naval Acronyms for Junior Officers
V Letters to My Ensign
VI A Self‑Assessment Tool for Naval Officers
VII Recommended Reading for Naval Officers
VIII CNO’s Professional Reading Program

Bibliography
About the Author
Index

Donald R. Sawyer is a Senior Chief (retired) with 26 years of distinguished service in the United States Navy. Throughout his naval career, he served in various leadership capacities, from Data Systems Technician to Officer in Charge of the Type Commander Transient Personnel Unit.
Since transitioning from active duty, Don has continued in senior leadership roles, including Director of Operations at SAIC and Operations Director at General Dynamics IT. He currently serves as a Senior System Analyst at Titanium Cobra Solutions, supporting naval systems integration. Don is currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership and Development at Capella University. He also holds master's degrees in Management (Project Management) and Human Resources Management and Services, along with bachelor's degrees in Counseling Psychology and Secondary Education.