Naval History and Heritage Command director resigns

[cannonmn]

> The following article is cannon-related, although it doesn't get down to that level of detail.  After complaining about the Navy's total lack of concern for their dissolving bronze cannons, writing letters, and publishing videos on You-Tube, I met with RDML DeLoach twice, once in 2010 and again a year later in 2011.  I presented the problem and asked for his cooperation and both times got what sounded like rationalization, excuses, etc., NOT what I wanted to hear from an admiral.  This article indicates that the problems went much deeper than the dissolving cannons, which were really just a symptom.  I am looking for the situation to improve gradually now that there is very high-level Navy attention focused on the matter.   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
Naval History and Heritage Command director resigns
 
By Sam Fellman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Apr 23, 2012 16:43:02 EDT
 
The director of the Navy's historical command resigned Monday, the Navy's top spokesman Rear Adm. Denny Moynihan said, in the wake of an inspector general report that found his command struggling with decaying records and fraying ties to historians.   Jay DeLoach, a retired rear admiral, had led the Naval History and Heritage Command, which is based at Washington Navy Yard, since 2008. In that job, he had overseen 112 employees who preserve and archive the Navy's historical collections, a voluminous collection of records, artifacts, art and photographs, as well as 12 Navy museums.   DeLoach arrived as an iconoclast - challenging what he saw as a hidebound, "introverted" center to better serve the needs of the fleet. He called for "forward-looking historians."   But the problems mounted. For decades, the historical collections have suffered from underfunding and poor facilities and a growing backlog of uncataloged holdings. Sensitive artifacts and photos were stored in buildings with broken or nonexistent temperature and humidity controls, with much of the history command's 230,000 square feet of storage space unsuited to house these items, a Navy Inspector General report found in December, adding: "Consequently, the history and heritage of the United States Navy is in jeopardy."   The IG also reported a growing chasm between the command under DeLoach and the academic and museum community, with whom the center works to provide official Navy records and artifacts to the public. DeLoach had let an advisory committee of esteemed naval historians expire in 2010.   Moreover, the IG found an alarming disenfranchisement of the civilian staff, who serve as librarians, historians, archivists and curators. Many of these historical professionals, who make up the majority of the center's staff, felt that under DeLoach, they were ignored and left out of important decisions.   DeLoach inarguably succeeded in one area: money. The historical command secured $38 million for fiscal year 2012, a 46 percent increase from the year before, which the command plans to use to hire staff to process the huge backlog of holdings. Capt. Jerry Hendrix, the director of the Navy Secretary's historical advisory panel, has been named the command's interim director, said NHHC spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Heidi Lenzini. DeLoach will step down on May 15.   "My successor will bring a new infusion of energy to the command to continue on our journey into the future," DeLoach said in a statement. "The past four years at NHHC has tested every aspect of my professional talents and leadership and I am confident of the legacy of change and the connection with our Navy that I leave to my successor."

[Cannoneer]

Hopefully his successor, when chosen, will adopt a more proactive policy involving the conservation of the U. S. Navy’s outdoor bronze artillery displays.

[Artilleryman]

I hope the pick a highly competent leader that can bring about the positive changes needed not just for the guns, but also all the other materials that need conserving.

[RocklockI]

Good work CanMan    hard to believe anyone listened , ever . Good on you for calling them out ,BTW Now that there is a vacancy you could give them a resume    Heck at least an advisery position ....?
 
Gary

[Cat Whisperer]

Hopefully his successor, when chosen, will adopt a more proactive policy involving the conservation of the U. S. Navy’s outdoor bronze artillery displays.

Are you going to put in for the job?

[cannonmn]

Are you going to put in for the job?

Thanks for the compliment.  The qualifications statement for that job would typically require experience in a position of similar or slightly lower level of responsibility and I'd fall a little short there.  But primarily I have to devote time to running Springfield Arsenal LLC, then with whatever's left do what's needed as "Vice President for Development" for the nonprofit Company of Military Historians, an unpaid position to which I was just appointed last week. 

[Cannoneer]

Hopefully his successor, when chosen, will adopt a more proactive policy involving the conservation of the U. S. Navy’s outdoor bronze artillery displays.

Are you going to put in for the job?

CW,
I hope this doesn't come across as my being overly self inflated, but of course I've been giving this matter some serious consideration. I've only had the time to do some perfunctory research so far, but it's beginning to appear like things might not bode all that well for my chances. From what I can tell, it seems like you've got to be either 'brass or brains' to get this gig, and unfortunately I lost my Ph.D. in a poker game a few years back.

http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/directors.htm

[Cat Whisperer]

John -

This may be the opportune time - you have a demonstrated track record of both being in the trade and being visible in the internet community.  You have published, you've done research and you're not afraid to challange the establishment to ensure the preservation of historically important cannons.

[cannonmn]

Tim, thanks again, but I have no desire to go get mixed up in that mess, too many other things I've gotta do.   Plus I don't like all the politics that go with a job like that.  Nothing would make me take that job. But I don't have to worry, the phone hasn't rung once with anyone begging, but I'll bet a lot of other phones are ringing, they need some leadership right now.