Download - Royal Australian Navy

Honesty
Mr John Perryman
Honesty is always being true to ourselves, our shipmates and
our colleagues.
Navy Values: Serving Australia with Pride 1
Honesty is arguably one of the most important threads making up the tapestry of
values to which the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) adheres, for it is honesty which firmly
anchors the Navy’s set values in place. But what is honesty? Why is it so important? It
has been written that true honesty is free of contradictions or inconsistencies in our
thoughts, words or actions. 2 Being honest to ourselves and our ship-mates, earns trust,
and the pivotal relationship between honesty and trust is perhaps the most important
ingredient to be found in any well functioning warship. Throughout the RAN’s history,
certain ships, big and small, have stood out from others for their efficiency and fighting
spirit. While most have been painted grey, carried weapons and been presided over
by a commanding officer who has followed long established rules and regulations,
some vessels have attained reputations that have far exceeded that which is normally
expected. This hallmark of spirit and efficiency is, without exception, a direct reflection
of the vital human element that gives life to any warship.
There is no closely guarded secret concerning how this spirit is achieved. As with any
team, a ship has a leader, and much depends on the personal qualities of that leader
in shaping the course that his or her crew will follow. If a captain is perceived to be
honest then it will take little time for them to establish a trustworthy reputation among
those whom they command. If, however, a leader is perceived as dishonest, then it
follows that the vital spark of trust will never be ignited.
Ships, however, are somewhat unique in that they are a close-knit, multi-layered
community. Although they have an ultimate leader in their captain, they also have
numerous other officers and sailors in positions of trust and responsibility. These
men and women must therefore establish their own individual credentials of honesty
and trust among those whom they daily command and lead. It is when this recipe is
harmonised at all levels that a ship ascends to a level of superior efficiency.
Trust flows both ways and so must also be earned by subordinates, irrespective of
whether they comprise a ship’s wardroom or a mess deck. When a subordinate proves
to be honest and trustworthy they gain the respect and confidence of those who lead
them and perhaps more importantly among those who serve alongside them.