From: HMC(Sel)(SW) Felipe Villasante To: Naval Air Reserve Chief Petty Officers AssociationSubject: LEADERSHIP IN HARMS WAY ESSAY1. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines leadership as the office or position of a leader; ability to drive; the act or instance of leadership and defines a leader as a person who has commanding authority or influence; the first or principal performer of a group. In the 1965 film "In Harm's Way", Rear Admiral Torrey displayed the traits of a leader throughout the film. He cared for his SAILORS, when the widowed XO aboard his command had a drinking problem due to the manner and circumstances in which his wife died, RADM Torrey took the time to talk to him and gave him advice on how to do the right thing, to stop drinking, let go of the past and move on with his life. Instead of punishing him, RAMD Torrey tried to help him. During the battle, RAMD Torrey was a leader letting his friend CDR Powell know that it is okay to be afraid, that battles are fought by scared men who find the courage and commitment to fight and complete the mission. RAMD Torrey surrounded himself with SAILORS he could trust, men who would carry out plans despite danger and adversity. I liked the scene where the commanding officer on board the cruiser did not slow down to wait for the ship's commander to catch up with him and board, but decided to continue at full speed, leaving the port on December 7, 1941, Japanese attack, thus saving the ship. A leader must always lead by example, be responsible for his own professional and personal behavior. Have the moral and mental strength to do what is right, with confidence and resolve, even in the face of temptation or adversity. A leader must commit to his/her SAILORS, so that his/her SAILORS will commit to him/her. In today's Navy we must be leaders