Independent execution of commander's intent is at the core of the Navy's self-image. Our identity flows in no small part from the original six frigates commissioned by the nation. Their first captains received their orders, then departed to carry the young republic's flag to far seas. There, they carried out their tasks, relying on their judgment while knowing that guidance from higher authority was often months away. The ongoing influence of this tradition makes the Navy more agile and adaptable than either our joint partners or our potential adversaries. Current naval operations, however, are characterized by a close control that would be unrecognizable to our predecessors.
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