On Oct. 13, our Navy will celebrate its 229th birthday. As I look back over our history, it’s clear to me we have some incredible accomplishments. Our Navy has grown into the most dominant sea service in the world and as we prepare for yet another birthday, I’d like to offer my opinion of why our Navy continues to be respected.

While many may suggest we are a capable Navy because of the sophisticated equipment we have, I firmly believe our biggest advantage is our people. Without dedicated Sailors, our Navy would not move forward.

Our Navy today is challenged by war and budget cuts, but I believe our best days are still in front of us. All across the fleet I am confronted by Sailors who are meeting our challenges head on and see a bright future.

That, to me, means we are a proud service. At the root of our pride are our core val-ues. Each of us possesses a common set of principles that guide us in our actions. Without common values, we would not accomplish common goals.

As we celebrate our Navy’s birthday, I challenge everyone to read our core values again and recommit yourselves to upholding each of them:

HONOR: I will bear true faith and allegiance; accordingly, we will: conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships with peers, superiors and subordinates; be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other, and with those outside the Navy; be willing to make honest recommendations and accept those of junior personnel; encourage new ideas and deliver the bad news, even when it is unpopular; abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and keeping our word; fulfill or exceed our legal and ethical responsibilities in our public and personal lives twenty-four hours a day.

Illegal or improper behavior or even the appearance of such behavior will not be tolerated. We are accountable for our professional and personal behavior. We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans.

COURAGE: I will support and defend; accordingly, we will have: courage to meet the demands of our profession and the mission when it is hazardous, demanding, or otherwise difficult; make decisions in the best interest of the navy and the nation, without regard to personal consequences; meet these challenges while adhering to a higher standard of personal conduct and decency; be loyal to our nation, ensuring the resources entrusted to us are used in an honest, careful, and efficient way. Courage is the value that gives us the moral and mental strength to do what is right, even in the face of personal or professional adversity.

COMMITMENT: I will obey the orders; accordingly, we will: demand respect up and down the chain of command; care for the safety, professional, personal and spiritual well-being of our people; show respect toward all people without regard to race, religion, or gender; treat each individual with human dignity; be committed to positive change and constant improvement; exhibit the highest degree of moral character, technical excellence, quality and competence in what we have been trained to do. The day-to-day duty of every Navy man and woman is to work together as a team to improve the quality of our work, our people and ourselves.

As you read these, a little self-reflection should help you realize how many of these things you uphold and how many you could use a little improvement on. Trust me, none of us are perfect. We all slip from time to time, but I find reading our values keeps the target in sight. If we all strive to uphold these values, we, as a service, will continue to lead the world’s sea services.

Shipmates, all across the fleet we are able to witness incredible accomplishments by our Navy men and women. Please do what you can to help celebrate our birthday this year and be proud of what you do. Serving your country is a privilege and you have every right to hold you head high and know that you are respected for being a Sailor. Happy birthday shipmates!

Heffernan is the Fleet Master Chief, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.