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Gaining new members of the Triad is always a subject of conversation around the deckplates, bringing excitement, nervousness, and a sense of pride to welcome new leadership. As he assumes the role of Command Master Chief aboard USS Nimitz, CMDCM James R. Kuroski is set to bring his high standards and strategic vision to one of the Navy's most storied vessels.
Kuroski is focused on enhancing the operational readiness of the crew, and hopes to enrich the culture of excellence and accountability as the Nimitz has always done. His approach emphasizes open communication, professional development, and a steadfast dedication to the well-being of his Sailors command-wide.
He emphasizes understanding the personal motivations behind why Sailors join the Navy, acknowledging the diverse backgrounds that influence their decisions. He states that enlistment is not only about seeking opportunities but also about embracing honor and pride. Ultimately, he noted, our families at home rely on our battle readiness and professionalism.
"Something I ask Sailors is if their homes have pictures of them. Why do you think that?" said Kuroski. "Somebody out there's probably counting on you to do a great job on your honor. So be successful for yourself, because there are people out there who care about your success as well."
Kuroski underscores the fundamental bond that unites all Sailors, whether enlisted or commissioned, noting that, despite differences in rank, there is a commonality that ties them together: a deep sense of honor and dedication.
Throughout history, Sailors have been motivated by a desire to embody the values of their service and to be the heroes their families and communities can look up to and rely on. This enduring spirit that Kuroski has upheld throughout his 29-year career is what strengthens our Navy and keeps its traditions proud.
"Everybody, everybody in the ship has something in common, the officers and enlisted,” said Kuroski. “When we started our careers, none of us sat there and said, ‘well, I can't wait to screw this up.’ We all had dreams about what this was going to be, whether it's, ‘you know what—I'm gonna do my four years and get out for college after that,’ or, ‘I can't wait to stay in and climb the ranks.’"
With nearly three decades of naval service under his belt, Kuroski's approach to career advancement shows not only a commitment to his career but caring about each and every individual Sailor’s career at the same time. Rather than categorizing assignments as either shore or sea duty, Kuroski opted for just two shore duty commands throughout his career. His focus was on pursuing roles that promised greater challenges and opportunities for personal and professional development.
"I didn't look at it like, 'oh, these are my shore duty billets and these are my sea duty billets,'” said Kuroski. “I was thinking, 'what's a more challenging billet that I want to take? I have an opportunity to go from this job to the next.'"
Beginning his career in 1995 as an undesignated seaman, he arrived at his first command in 1996, then struck the quartermaster rating in 1998, and advanced to the rank of chief petty officer by 2006. However, his vast experience as a leader hasn't disconnected him from his Sailors. He prides himself on maintaining open communication with them, fostering a safe environment where they feel comfortable sharing openly with him. He strives to be as approachable a leader as possible, ensuring that his Sailors can readily connect with him.
"When you were in school, you saw a teacher that was mad, or a boss, or a chief, and thought, 'I can’t approach them today because they're in a bad mood,'” said Kuroski. “Our Sailors deserve a consistent leader with the door always open. And they're never concerned about interrupting somebody that's angry or off their game. They should be able to come in any time."
Kuroski stands out as a beacon of leadership and inspiration—throughout his career, he has continued to prioritize growth and challenge. His leadership philosophy encourages personal development and mutual respect, setting a standard for greatness that Nimitz Sailors can confidently follow.
"Be the consistent leader that your Sailors deserve, and be the consistent follower that your leader deserves,” said Kuroski. “Be the person that you want to lead consistently."
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2024 16:34 |
| Story ID: | 475130 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Charting New Courses: Welcoming CMDCM Kuroski, by PO3 Timothy Meyer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
