The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. This officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the command as he or she sees fit, within the bounds of military law. What if those significant responsibilities and higher authority were afforded to an enlisted man or woman?

One commanding officer paid that opportunity to a "blue jacket" Sailor, a term used for a Navy enlisted service member. Captain Edwin Kaiser turned over the helm for one day to Petty Officer First Class Abdoulaye Mohamed. This high performing First Class Petty Officer was not assuming command as a Navy Captain, but as Commander, Logistics Forces Central Command; Commodore, Military Sealift Command Central and Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 53. In short, just Commodore Mohamed will do.

The day began with Kaiser providing a full pass down filled with objectives and the command's perceived challenges to Mohamed. This passing of the torch was imperative because Mohamed's next order of business was a conference with his department heads and staff. Mohamed's expression projected a look mixed with excitement, anxiousness and determination every time the Captain addressed the Petty Officer as "Commodore." Once their meeting concluded, they headed off to execute the day with Mohamed leading the way and Kaiser following behind as a silent mentor.

"Attention on deck!" a staff member yelled in the conference room at Mohamed's presence. All waited at attention for the Petty Officer to sit down first, a courtesy given to their senior officer. Mohamed gave the nod to proceed with the meeting. With the notes he took during his pass down he listened to his staff, directed questions to them regarding the location of his assets and enquired about solutions to logistics challenges. One could say he will do well as a Naval Officer or better yet, depending on who you ask, a Chief.

"We have a lot of fantastic Sailors working for us," said Kaiser. "I wanted to give them an opportunity to see from my perspective all the great work that they're doing, get the exposure of the big picture of the mission and also get visibility with senior leadership and other Task Force Commanders."

Kaiser exclaimed how much he was in favor of taking this avenue to show his enlisted personnel what a great job they are doing. It offered a way for the crew to hear "Bravo Zulu" directly from the customers and leadership, rather than Kaiser relaying their sentiments to the crew during an all hands call.

"The mission does not get done without the work of Sailors on the deck plates," said Kaiser. "It's a total team effort and Petty Officer 1st Class Mohamed is a representative of that."

Mohamed confessed he was nervous at first; however, he looked forward to each evolution as the Commodore throughout the day. He did not take this privilege lightly.

"This is a great opportunity, as the Navy is always looking for leaders," said Mohamed. "It was excellent to experience what it's like [to be Commodore] and to see the command from their perspective. It lends you respect to the decisions and challenges leaders have to make."

One thing Mohamed noticed as a Commodore, if he did not notice before, was how many decisions you are being trusted to make.

"You are always talking to people," said Mohamed. "People are always looking for you. I am always being asked questions, and there is so much interaction with your staff on a daily basis."

Mohamed was selected by the Commodore's staff prior to him assuming the duties of commodore. Those Sailors who wanted the opportunity to be commodore were expected to submit their answers to a series of essay questions explaining why they wanted to become "Commodore for a Day".

Mohamed's performance at CTF 53 and his responses to the questions gave the command the impression they may be uncovering a promising future leader.

"He had a lot of good traits to see things from another angle," said Kaiser. "He will definitely take off during his [service]."

CTF 53 provides operational logistical support for the U.S. 5th Fleet and coalition forces both ashore and afloat, a mission that is essential for ensuring security and stability in the region. As the Military's Sealift Command's Central Commander, the responsibility entails coordinating replenishment-at-sea efforts and delivering passengers, mail, cargo, ammunition, provisions and fuel throughout the 5th Fleet area of operations via air, land and sea modes, helping to ensure Sailors aboard ships have what they need to complete their missions.


For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Support Activity Bahrain, visit www.navy.mil/.