Produced in the 1950s, THE NAVY WAY was one of many films created by the service to instill a moral backbone in service personnel as part of an overall Navy Moral Standards and Character Education Program. The target for this film appears to be officers charged with leadership, who needed to deal with the attitudes, mixed backgrounds, and lack of motivation by blue jackets. With so many of the men in service having only a high school education, films like this one attempted to show officers how they can shape men, and how to convince them that patience, study, and discipline can lead to a better life and career in service, and better morale.

The film shows two different leadership styles and how one, the paternalistic officer, triumphs over the other.

The film includes an extended “leave” segment at the 8:30 mark, with sailors getting into trouble in hotels with women of ill repute, and getting something he’ll regret for a lifetime — a venereal disease. Drunks are seen at the 10 minute mark, getting in trouble on liberty.

The film was shot aboard USS Piedmont (AD–17), a Dixie-class destroyer tender built during World War II for the United States Navy.

Summary:

0:14 – 0:23: Introduction to different ways of doing things: the wrong way, the Navy way.

0:23 – 1:02: Comparison between a child’s way of handling problems (impulsive) and a mature man’s way (thoughtful and analytical).

1:02 – 1:25: Explanation of the Navy way: careful and methodical problem-solving, especially in handling sensitive machinery and weapons.

1:25 – 2:17: Emphasis on the importance of handling complex machinery and weapons with care, and the role of trained men in ensuring safety and effectiveness.

2:17 – 3:10: Introduction of Mr. Sloan, an officer responsible for men, and the importance of understanding and leading them effectively.

3:10 – 4:12: Example of a situation where poor leadership leads to problems, and the importance of setting a good example and properly instructing men.

4:12 – 5:37: Discussion on the natural tendency to follow a leader and the importance of good leadership in the Navy.

5:37 – 6:54: The Navy way of handling mistakes: analyzing faults, placing responsibility, and taking reasonable steps to prevent recurrence.

6:54 – 8:20: The role of leaders in teaching, correcting, and guiding men, and the importance of understanding their backgrounds and challenges.

8:20 – 9:59: The impact of poor leadership on men’s behavior during liberty and the consequences of not providing proper guidance.

9:59 – 11:01: The importance of preparing men for liberty, providing them with constructive activities, and the role of leaders in guiding them.

11:01 – 12:27: Introduction of Mr. Crawford, a leader who prepares men for liberty by educating them about their responsibilities and providing constructive activities.

12:27 – 13:45: Examples of constructive activities organized by Mr. Crawford, such as dances, sports, and sightseeing, to engage men positively.

13:45 – 15:00: The Navy’s moral leadership and character education program aimed at preserving values and addressing societal problems.

15:00 – 16:14: The importance of early intervention and personal action in preventing problems and increasing command effectiveness.

16:14 – 17:02: The role of leaders in preserving the nation’s values and the importance of acting like officers 24/7.

17:02 – 19:29: Conclusion emphasizing the responsibility of leaders to guide and nurture their men, ensuring they uphold the values and integrity of the Navy and the nation.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com