U.S. Navy’s Culture of Excellence (COE)

Fostering a Culture of Excellence (COE), an effort meant to improve Sailors’ and the force’s overall preparedness, the U.S. Navy has been committed to building on past efforts by combining several cultural programs and behavioral initiatives into a cohesive framework.

The latest evolution, Culture of Excellence 2.0 (COE 2.0), guarantees the command climate stays mission-oriented and ready for the complexity of modern combat and operational environments.

COE 2.0’s Main Goals

Emphasizing Great People, Great Leaders, and Great Teams, COE 2.0 is set up around steps for Culture.

These guiding principles center on:

• Arming Every Sailor – Understanding that individual Sailors, as well as officers, help the leadership level and fleet to be successful.
• Emphasizing Core Values – Stressing honor, bravery, and dedication as the basis of conduct and decision-making.
• Including Navy Civilians – Appreciating their continuity and knowledge in forming inclusive warfighting teams and linked teams.
• Establishing Mental, Physical, and Emotional Resilience – Ensuring command leaders have resources for behavioral awareness and suicide crisis response training.
• Offering Organized Leadership Programs – Programs like the Navy Leader Development Framework Update, the Enlisted Leader Development courses, and the Necessary Conversations Guide enable peer-led staff teams to interact with different points of view.

The Work of the Get Real, Get Better (GRGB) Program

Encouraging command leadership to think, act, and function differently, the Get Real, Get Better (GRGB) program forms a foundation of COE 2.0.

GRGB encourages a whole approach, inspiring warfighting teams and individuals to question inefficiencies, welcome innovation, and always improve.

By including GRGB concepts within the culture of compliance, the Navy ensures that learning, responsibility, and flexibility become fundamental elements of its actionable approach to leadership.

Tools & Resources for Leadership

COE 2.0 includes a new visual placemat called “What Right Looks Like,” designed to help command leaders at all levels.

This structured handbook provides concrete actions for building a capable team and implementing effective leadership standards. Additional resources include:

• The Mental Health Manual – Published in 2023, this tool helps leaders lower stigma by enabling honest discussions about behavior response and mental health.
• Training on Resilience and Suicide Prevention – Provides leaders with practical skills to help their teams overcome personal and professional challenges.
• Team on Women’s Initiatives – A focused effort to improve inclusiveness, retention, and recruitment of women in the Navy.
• The Necessary Conversations Guide – A tool to enhance understanding and communication among diverse team members.

Establishing Cooperative and Linked Teams

Trust, values, and shared experiences shape culture. Great teams are linked and cohesive, and COE 2.0 ensures the effective operation of the Navy Fleet by:

• Recognizing the vital contribution of civilian personnel to mission success.
• Creating an environment where everyone feels valued as part of a capable warfighting team ready for the mission.

One Approach to Excellence and Readiness

COE 2.0 simplifies the Navy’s continuous endeavor to create resilient, flexible, and mission-ready teams by integrating cultural activities and leadership development.

With these tools and systems in place, the Navy is prepared to:

• Support significant goals for command leaders.
• Improve career objectives.
• Ensure mission success.

COE 2.0 is not just a policy—it is a commitment to fostering a culture where every Sailor and civilian can thrive, contribute, and succeed.

Examining Success: How COE 2.0 Affects Performance and Readiness

The Navy evaluates COE 2.0’s impact through key performance indicators (KPIs) that track advancements in:

• Retention Rates – Higher retention reflects improved job satisfaction and morale.
• Reduction in Harmful Behaviors – Fewer incidents involving disciplinary actions, misconduct, and suicide crisis responses.
• Leadership Effectiveness – Measured through command climate assessments and Sailor feedback.
• Operational Readiness – Improved effectiveness and unit cohesion in inclusive warfighting teams.

By analyzing these KPIs, the Navy can enhance COE 2.0 to maintain continuous improvement and excellence across all commands.

Training and Application: How Commands Might Apply COE 2.0

To effectively implement COE 2.0, command-level Navy officials must integrate key training materials into their leadership strategy, including:

• The Visual Placemat – A quick reference tool for best practices in team-building and leadership.
• The Necessary Conversations Guide – A structured tool for navigating complex discussions and improving behavioral responses.
• Peer-Led Staff Teams – Enhancing team dynamics through mentorship.
• Leadership Development Tools – Including the Navy Leader Development Framework Update and official resources.

By embedding these resources into training cycles, mentoring programs, and daily leadership practices, commanding officers can develop connected teams that are mission-ready.

Overcoming Challenges: Obstacles to Cultural Transformation

Transitioning from a compliance-driven culture to one of excellence requires overcoming specific barriers:

• Resistance to Change – Long-standing traditions and leadership styles may slow cultural shifts.
• Balancing Operational Demands – Leaders must integrate COE 2.0 without disrupting mission-critical responsibilities.
• Accountability Gaps – Command leaders must actively contribute to building an inclusive warfighting team.

The Navy addresses these challenges through collaboration between command triads and Sailors, reinforcing best practices and sustaining momentum.

The Future of Navy Culture: Next Steps for COE 2.0

The Navy’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures that leadership approaches evolve to meet emerging challenges. Future initiatives include:

• Expanding COE 2.0 Across the Fleet – Including Reserve Components.
• Enhancing Leadership Training – Introducing new suicide crisis response tools and updates to the Navy Leader Development Framework.
• Technology Integration – Providing real-time updates on COE 2.0 via government platforms.
• Personalized Leadership Development – Tailored guidance for command triad members to train future leaders effectively.

Through constant refinement of COE 2.0, the Navy ensures that warfighting teams remain strong, adaptable, and mission-ready in an ever-evolving operational landscape.