New submarine chief ready for challenge

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

The U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine force has lost "Big Al, the Sailor's Pal," but it may have landed the next best thing in Rear Adm. John Padgett III.

From left, Adm. Thomas Fargo, Rear Adm. John Padgett III and Rear Adm. Albert Konetzni Jr. walk to change-of-command ceremonies Wednesday at Pearl Harbor. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

"In terms of the way John operates, he's never forgotten his roots and who is key in the Navy — the young men and women doing the job day in and out," said Cynthia Clegg, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Southeastern Connecticut, where Padgett was on the board. "He makes it a point all the time to relate to them and communicate with them."

Padgett, 54, who was piped aboard the USS Honolulu in Pearl Harbor on Wednesday, stepped into the job vacated by Konetzni, who commanded more than 40 submarine crews and 11,000 people in the Pacific fleet with a brash and unorthodox style that made him a larger-than-life figure within the Navy.

Konetzni openly challenged the Pentagon's scheduled scrapping of Los Angeles-class attack submarines, pushed Navy personnel practices to retain seamen, and made life better for the working sailor. The rear admiral liked to refer to those under him as his "goombahs" and "tribe," and pressed the flesh with civilians and sailors alike promoting submarining.

Konetzni is on his way to a promotion to vice admiral and assignment as chief of staff and deputy commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleets in Norfolk, Va.

It's a hard act to follow by anyone's estimation. Padgett was "booked solid" late last week and not available for an interview, his staff said. In addition to making the move to Hawai'i, he had meetings with Navy officials, including Adm. Frank Bowman, chief of Naval nuclear propulsion. During the weekend, he was expected to be at submarining "birthday balls" celebrating the 101st year of the service.

Whether public or private, Padgett will have his own say on the Feb. 9 sinking of a Japanese fishing vessel by the USS Greeneville, an accident that claimed the lives of nine Japanese men and boys, and revealed flaws in the sometimes unquestioned command of a submarine captain.

Those who have worked with Padgett say he is more than equal to the task ahead.

"His style is one of being involved — personally involved, which is pretty typical of the way I think Adm. Konetzni was involved," said Capt. Wayne Peters, Padgett's chief of staff with Submarine Group Two in Groton, Conn.

During his nearly three-year tenure, Padgett organized four Navy bases stretching from New Jersey to Maine into Navy Region Northeast, and oversaw more than two dozen submarines as commander of Group Two. Rep. Rob Simmons of Connecticut estimated that within five years, the reorganization will result in 20 percent savings in operational costs and free up millions of dollars to benefit other programs.

But it was the operational side of the Navy Padgett loved best, his staff said, and he often made the short drive to the pier to see off departing crews.

"He would say, 'All right, fall out guys,' and he would talk to them in a way that sailors knew he cared," Peters said. "He talked to them from (enlisted sailors) all the way up to the CO (commanding officer)."

One of Padgett's proudest accomplishments involved a quality-of-life issue for sailors — doing away with submarine departures on Mondays between six-month deployments. That meant sailors didn't have to report Sunday to get the boat up and running for the next day's voyage.

In addition to his community involvement with the Southeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Padgett for the past two years hosted the "Dolphin Scholarship" charity auction at his home to raise money for scholarships for children of submariners.

Like Konetzni, whose sailors signed up for a second tour of duty at twice the national rate, Padgett has improved retention. Like Konetzni, Padgett stumped for more submarines before the House Armed Services Committee last June. Padgett also told the committee improving his sailors' lives at sea and in port was his "top priority."

Where the two commanders may diverge is in personal leadership style.

John Peters, a former submarine commander who spent 31 years in the military, said Padgett excels in technical knowledge, bringing to the Pacific side know-how of deep-water Atlantic Ocean submarining, but is not a "people person" to the degree Konetzni is.

"(Konetzni) did things by dealing directly with the people," Peters said. "I think Padgett tends to be less of a 'go down and press the flesh, meet the troops, ask about their dog and cat (type of leader).' Your average admiral doesn't want to charge into a crowd and meet everybody."

Eugene Carroll, a retired rear admiral and vice president of the Center for Defense Information, a think tank, said in the wake of the Greeneville collision, he expects Padgett to evaluate "command climate" to see if sub commanders in his fleet are "team leaders or one-man bands."

Pacific Fleet Adm. Thomas Fargo found that Greeneville Cmdr. Scott Waddle "cut corners" and needlessly rushed an emergency surfacing drill on Feb. 9 that put the submarine on a collision course with the Ehime Maru. Carroll said he expects Padgett to be "very attuned" to command climate as a result.

"Obviously, the Waddle problem grew out of a one-man show atmosphere, and that isn't the way to build a sub force," Carroll said.

Padgett's comments at the change-of-command last week were brief, as is customary for an incoming commander.

Padgett, who is married and has two children, recalled the anticipation of his first submarine assignment on the USS Puffer — also in Hawai'i. It was in the early 1970s, a couple of years removed from the Naval Academy.

Padgett said he felt a similar feeling of anticipation and excitement in rejoining the Pacific submarine force last week.

"I look forward to the challenges I know we will face," he said, "and I look forward to working with the exceptional men and women who operate our submarine force."

William Cole can be reached at 525-8030; e-mail wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.