The Navy recently launched a new initiative to reshape Naval relations. This includes the relationships Commanders have with their Sailors and overall culture across the fleet. The initiative, Culture of Excellence 2.0, or COE 2.0, focuses on building great people, great leaders, and great teams. This is all while emphasizing and practicing core Naval values. Related read: Can the New Women Teams Initiative Help US Navy Recruiting?

What Is the Purpose of Culture of Excellence 2.0?

More specifically than reshaping the Navy’s culture, US Navy leadership intends for COE 2.0 to bridge the gap between the Navy’s highest and lowest performing commands. This is by explaining to the whole fleet what being a good leader and Sailor means. The Navy believes that building this culture of excellence is the best way to prepare for victory in combat. Additionally, it will innovate, solve hard problems, and prevent harmful behaviors. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti states, “I am releasing Culture of Excellence 2.0 (COE 2.0), the foundation by which our Navy builds its Warfighters — our People, Leaders, and Teams — as a key enabler of delivering the decisive combat power I talked about in ‘America’s Warfighting Navy” in the Naval administrative message regarding COE 2.0."

How Does the Navy Plan to Build a Culture of Excellence?

The Navy plans to build a culture of excellence by providing Commands with tools intended to help leaders better understand how they can recognize and act on the needs of their people. The COE initiative will be implemented in every Navy command. This is to have a direct and tangible impact on the Quality of Service of Navy Sailors. COE 2.0 is for command triads and leaders at all levels. It introduces new tools and methods for leaders to weed out toxicity in the ranks. It also guides leaders on how to instill new Sailors with better leadership techniques. However, it can also be used by every member of the Navy to define what great culture looks like.The launch of the Navy Culture of Excellence initiative was accompanied by several products and resources. This includes a placemat, playbook, command poster, warrior toughness placemat, virtual CO’s suggestion box, and a Commander’s risk mitigation dashboard. The COE 2.0 placemat explains “what right looks like,” and the playbook is a comprehensive guide on how to implement COE 2.0 at the command level. The virtual CO’s suggestion box is an electronic way for Sailors to anonymously submit complaints, critiques, and suggestions to their command's leadership. The Culture of Excellence initiative is also seen as an opportunity to empower Navy leaders with new resources such as the Commander’s Risk Mitigation dashboard. Suggested read: Veteran Resume Tips: How to List Your Veteran Status

What to Expect From the 2.0 Initiative

Culture of Excellence 2.0 will simplify, streamline, and align traditional Navy programs with new concepts. In terms of existing concepts, COE 2.0 attempts to make about 34 instructions more relevant and accessible to the fleet. Familiar programs such as suicide prevention, sexual assault prevention and response, and Warrior Toughness, the Navy Women’s Initiative Team (Navy-WIT) and the Mental Health Playbook will remain important.Along with these existing programs, Navy leaders plan to create different avenues for Sailors to make their voices heard. This is by linking climate surveys to Culture of Excellence materials. While leadership is trying to make the process better, the long-term goal for COE is to shift the Navy's culture to a place where physical COE tools are not necessary.Lastly, to learn more about the Navy’s Culture of Excellence 2.0 initiative, visit the Culture of Excellence website. Read next: Your Hunting Trip Guide: 4 Free Trips Veterans Can Enjoy