Fleet Orders in Action: Professionalism

Official Statements

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “Professionalism forms the foundation of any elite organization. It is characterized by a culture of excellence coupled with a strict adherence to a shared code of conduct. A Pacific Fleet professional is further distinguished by unique expertise in the justified application of lethal force, a sworn commitment to adhere to the Navy core values, and to conduct oneself with integrity and tenacity in every aspect of life.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “On Oct. 6, during a ceremony at Deterrent Park onboard Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Sebastian Campbell II stood proudly in front of friends, family, and Commander, Submarine Group 9 staff to take the oath of office, marking his transformation from chief petty officer to chief warrant officer 2. It was a significant milestone in the yeoman’s career that began aboard USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) nearly two decades ago and currently has him serving as the command flag writer.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “Commissioning presented an opportunity to continue doing work I genuinely enjoy while still serving an organization that has invested so much time and effort in me,” said Campbell about his decision to become a warrant officer. “I’ve had leaders and front offices invest in my development throughout my career, and I see this opportunity as a way to give something back while continuing to grow professionally.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “Spend more than a few minutes with Campbell and it becomes apparent that his actions both in and out of uniform distinguish him as a consummate professional. In his role as a flag writer, Campbell is tasked with handling competing priorities, sensitive matters, and the jigsaw puzzle that is balancing several full schedules of various military leaders.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “A good flag writer is someone who can adapt without allowing the pressure to affect the quality of their work and someone who others trust to handle the task, regardless of the circumstances. At the foundation, it’s about mastery of the basics. “As a flag writer, mastering the basics means understanding the procedures, anticipating requirements, managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and ensuring the admiral has the information needed to make decisions,” says Campbell.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “The goal is to make the difficult look routine. That doesn’t happen by accident; it comes from preparation, repetition, and knowing your job well enough to execute it without hesitation.” An avid boxer outside of the office, Campbell has found significant crossovers from lessons learned in the ring with his professional life. Boxing, for him, is all about control. “Ultimately, both boxing and being a flag writer require preparation, awareness, discipline, and the ability to remain composed under pressure.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “He explains further that, “In the ring, control helps you manage the action. In the front office, control of the details helps you manage the process. In both environments, the objective is to be deliberate rather than reactive and to execute when it matters.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “A real-life scenario where Campbell’s professionalism helped him through a challenging time was when he needed to have a difficult conversation with the commanding officer of a ship that was dealing with a personal tragedy involving one of his Sailors. At the beginning of the conversation, Campbell was caught off guard by the intensity of the senior officer’s emotions.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “I had to approach the conversation with professionalism while also recognizing the human being on the other end of the phone,” recalls Campbell. “He was angry, hurt, and understandably struggling with what had happened. That experience reinforced for me that professionalism isn’t simply about following directions or maintaining a formal tone. Sometimes it means remaining composed when someone else is experiencing intense emotions, understanding the circumstances, and finding a way forward without losing sight of the mission or the people involved.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “Another key lesson from the boxing gym is that leadership does not have to be demonstrative - an important takeaway for the self-described introvert. During sparring sessions, the yeoman has learned to better assess his own capabilities, recognize limitations, and act accordingly. The true test of discipline is knowing when to engage, when to exercise restraint, and how to remain in control.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “This keen understanding of himself has allowed Campbell to thrive when “staying composed, assessing what’s happening, and responding deliberately gives you a better opportunity to resolve the issue professionally.” An enduring theme from Campbell’s journey is that professionalism within the Navy’s ranks is self-perpetuating. A professional Sailor does not exist in a vacuum, rather they are the byproduct of years of investment from leaders and wise mentorship.”

• Commander, Submarine Group Nine, November 11: “When I reflect on my career, the opportunities I’ve been given, and the people I’ve had the privilege of working with, I have no regrets about the path I’ve chosen. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, grateful to the leaders who invested in me, and motivated to continue making a difference in whatever capacity I serve.”