This desktop guide is a user-friendly first stop for officer candidates and midshipmen seeking information as they transition to naval officers. It offers practical advice in the basic tenets of leadership, naval policy, etiquette, and personal and professional management.

In a conversational style, Commander Kacher demystifies the new roles and responsibilities of young officers as they grapple with concepts very different from their experiences as enlisted sailors or college students. Useful insights from officers who have recently made the transition and advice from successful commanding officers are included.

This manual also provides a concise overview of the U.S. Navy's history, along with a recommended reading list, and serves as a gateway to the many online and print assets available to new officers.

About the Author
Cdr. Fred W. Kacher is a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who has made multiple deployments at sea and has served on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy and in the White House. He currently serves as the first Commanding Officer of USS Stockdale (DDG 106).