Navy leadership triads from Hawaii-based units gathered with Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, for a conversation about readiness and winning a high-end fight, if called to do so.

Aquilino met April 12 with commanding officers, executive officers, and command senior enlisted leaders for a frank, face-to-face discussion about their expectations and the urgency behind building winning teams.

“I need your help to execute three objectives — win the high-end fight, win without fighting, and build and sustain fleet readiness,” Aquilino said. “Take those objectives back to your teams and build battle-minded, confident and capable Sailors. Make sure they are ready.”

“Sailors want to be on winning teams,” Aquilino said. “As leaders, you have to build, train, and execute a winning team. There are no points for second place.”

Aquilino stressed the need for feedback from the fleet about obstacles to effective warfighting.

“I need leaders to tell me what’s not working,” Aquilino said. “If there’s something preventing you from doing your jobs, I want to know right away so I can fix it and you can focus on generating lethal combat power.”

Aquilino said that the Navy has several asymmetric advantages, the most important of which is people.

“Sailors want to be on winning teams,” Aquilino said. “As leaders, you have to build, train, and execute a winning team. There are no points for second place.”

Aquilino and Pacific Fleet Master Chief James Honea held a similar discussion with San Diego triads earlier this year. They plan to continue these face-to-face conversations with leadership throughout the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility.