Comments on: Lateral Move

By: demontjoie

demontjoie — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:27:00 +0000

Admiral Venlet is a VERY smart and savvy gent.

If anyone can pull JSF outta the hole that it has dug, it’ll be him. If he has a choice between the technical truth and the “political truth”, he’ll support the former.

Good luck, Admiral.

Will any post-mortem of this program lay the blame where it truly belongs — squarely at the feet of Congress who set-up the JSF’s imbecilic procurement model? Nope — I won’t be holding my breath.

By: G-man

G-man — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:36:35 +0000

“Restructured”? How do you “restructure” a program already waaaaay over budget and behind schedule? While a lowly flag aide at NavSea the good VADM used to say “in this business success is measured not by how good you look or how well you do, but by how good you look compared to the poor soul you replaced because he didn’t do well”. We had that one printed up and framed for the outer office. Maybe this will be a case of VADM V losing a couple of battles but ultimately winning the war. If not, what are the alternatives? 12,000 hr Hornets?

By: ProwlerAMDO

ProwlerAMDO — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:31:48 +0000

The problem with JSF is the concept behind it and wet dream requirements forcing a horrible configuration that won’t be effective. It’s not who’s been in charge. This is a cosmetic change/new sacrificial lamb. The best ADM Venlet can do is deliver a POS sooner rather than later compared to the already way late schedule. Nothing about this fiasco is encouraging.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:44:53 +0000

I sure hope this program doesn’t spiral out of control anymore with Venlet at the helm, he would make a GREAT CNO.

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:47:55 +0000

bc, what worries me is that Venlet may be in a position where the technically correct answer is not the politically acceptable answer. I’ve seen programs like that, and they are utterly shattering to morale throughout the acquisition community.

By: bc

bc — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:51:09 +0000

USMC had their turn at the helm. ADM Venlet has plenty-o-chops for this, and is absolutely the right guy, at the right time. Unfortunately, it’s a helluva time for him to have to get thrown into the fray. The words singularly and eminently qualified come to mind. (his bio is up all over the place).

When the pain comes, as it must, he’ll be the guy on the dais by SecDef’s and CJCS side saying, “we looked at it every way, did every thing we could, and this is what has to be next”. And it won’t be for a lack of having someone onboard who REALLY knows how to do that which must be done. I wish him well. It will be a hard row to hoe.