Sub force changes command
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
He backed the needs of sailors, stumped for more U.S. submarines and grieved as an international tragedy tarnished the image of his fleet. It was a tour of duty that Rear Adm. Albert Konetzni Jr. will likely never forget.
Konetzni relinquishes command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet's submarine force to Rear Adm. John Padgett in a ceremony today at Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Honolulu.
Rear Adm. Albert Konetzni Jr. was called "Big Al, the Sailor's Pal."
After nearly three years, he leaves a stronger, more stable force behind, with sailors in the force's more than 40 submarine crews signing up for a second tour of duty at twice the Navy's average rate.
"Big Al, the Sailor's Pal," as he was sometimes called, achieved the high retention rate by placing an emphasis on sailor morale, slashing the hours they work in port and hiring civilians to do some chores crews would otherwise have done.
A gregarious sailor with a fondness for cigars and cognac, Konetzni embodies what the military calls "command presence": a leader's swagger, bolstered by charisma and character.
That kind of confidence prompted Konetzni to openly challenge the Pentagon's scheduled scrapping of submarines before their time, in public speeches, change of commands and on his Web site.
His outspoken posture did not affect his career prospects. Konetzni is nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as chief of staff and deputy commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleets, headquartered in Norfolk, Va.
The admiral's Hawai'i command will end two days after the conclusion of one of the Navy's most embarrassing international incidents, the collision of the nuclear submarine USS Greeneville and a Japanese fishing vessel Feb. 9 off the coast of O'ahu.
