Power of Written Directives: S4:E26 🎙️LIVE with Franklin Ndeffo

7 Jul 2025 · 1 min

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1:12

In this interview excerpt, the guest (Speaker A) recounts a pivotal lesson learned during boot camp: the existence of concrete, written directives—embodied by a red notebook containing every rule—from the Department of Defense (DoD) and Navy. He explains how referencing these official, signed documents—such as the Navy’s directives, the DoD policies, and the Joint Travel Regulations—provides an undeniable basis for administrative requests, like obtaining a security clearance. By presenting the exact language of the policy, he was able to compel his command to grant the clearance, illustrating the power of documented authority. The host (Speaker B) acknowledges the insight, noting the guest now has “two masters.” The exchange underscores the practical value of locating, citing, and leveraging formal written policies to resolve bureaucratic obstacles.

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the actual directive from the DOD is written black and white. That's one thing I learned when I went to boot camp. Do you remember that big red notebook we had at boot camp that had everything? How to make your bed, how to use the restroom. Yes, everything. So I'm like, there is somewhere a writing, there is a document, a manual, a directive, a policy that's written black and white that tells you exactly what to do. So I would go back to the policy and go back to the NRC or to my command and say, okay, here it is, it's written This is what the Navy says. This is what the DOD says. This is what the Jones Travel Regulation says. This is the right, the right way. And then they cannot come back to you, right? They cannot say no, it doesn't exist because it's written down. It is signed by the Secretary of Navy or Secretary of Defense or by the president or whatever. So there is something written down and you need to find it. And then you say, okay, this is the rules. Now just judge me by those rules. Now if I don't pass, I don't pass, but you need to give me the opportunity to earn that clearance. They did. No, like I say, the rest is history. But anyway, that's a very, very great lesson I have really learned. So it's really been a great, great joy to talk to you. Any last, last words before we leave?
Oh no, sir, nothing. But I just learned from you today that, no, you have two masters now.