DVIDS – News – Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command Commander receives 2020 Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award

WASHINGTON, DC (NNS) – Capt.Brad Geary, commander of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Basic Training Command (BTC), has been recognized as one of two Navy-wide selected recipients for the Vice Admiral 2020. James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award, receiving the award at a ceremony at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes, November 16, 2021.

The annual award recognizes two individuals serving as commanders who demonstrate inspiring leadership both professionally and personally while contributing to the enhancement of leadership in the Navy.

Geary received the award for his previous SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE (SDVT-1) command tour, during which the command masterfully managed operational demands while fostering an exceptional command climate. However, Geary was quick to recognize the quality people under his command who made the award possible, as well as the various top executives, enlisted seniors, and teammates who mentored him throughout his career.

Geary held Vice-Admiral Stockdale’s leadership philosophy in high regard, describing Stockdale’s brand of leadership as comprising elements of a moralist, jurist, teacher, steward and philosopher. He said in his acceptance remarks that the leadership process is “painful, continual and difficult – to be done by kindness, expectation, warning, precept, praise and example. Through stewardship, you must take care of your flock; even wash your feet.

Quoting Francis Bacon, Geary continued, “Prosperity best discovers vice, but adversity best discovers virtue.” He noted that as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, Stockdale ignored the lure of favors promised by his captors and instead chose the more difficult path to set an example of righteous conduct for his fellow inmates. This came at a time when the NSW organization was testing its cultural values ​​against the shock of close combat, a challenge that the current generation of NSW operators understand.

“Now, after twenty years of adversity in the mountains, deserts and cities of Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen, NSW is returning to our partnership with the fleet,” said Geary. “As we leverage this relationship for strategic competition, the Navy has regained its commandos. “

First presented in 1980, the award is named after the late Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, Naval Academy graduate and naval aviator. On September 9, 1965, Stockdale was in command of Carrier Air Group 16, flying from the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CV-34) when his A-4E Skyhawk was hit by enemy fire over North Vietnam. Forced to eject himself, he landed in a small village and was captured. A prisoner for eight years, Stockdale was the highest ranking naval officer among Americans held in North Vietnamese prisons. Leading by example, Stockdale resisted his captors from the start, instilling a culture of defiance among prisoners. He worked through thick and thin to find ways to communicate with other prisoners, continually working to give hope to his fellow captives.

Stockdale’s inspirational leadership continued throughout his captivity until his release in February 1973. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1976 and was President of the Naval War College from October 1977 to August 1979.

Active duty navy commanders and below who command a single ship, submarine, aviation squadron, SEAL team, naval special warfare squadron, SEAL delivery vehicle team, special ship team, mobile unit Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Mobile Dive and Rescue Unit, or the Navy Special Authorization Team are eligible for the award. They must be nominated by staff eligible for the award itself.

Geary is the fourth member of Naval Special Warfare to be recognized for his inspiring leadership. Captain Robert Smith (2008), Captain Leif Mollo (2013) and Captain Brian Drechsler (2017) have previously received the Stockdale Leadership Award.

Naval Special Warfare Center, located at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, performs awareness, assessment and selection of SEAL and SWCC candidates and subsequent advanced training to Sailors who make up the Navy’s SEAL and Special Boat communities. These communities support NSW’s mission as commandos of the United States Navy, providing maritime special operations forces to conduct full-spectrum operations, unilaterally or with partners, in support of national objectives. For more information on the NSW Assessment and Selection Pathway, visit https://www.sealswcc.com/.