Capt. Brett Crozier’s Book: Scary Good

Review by Bill Doughty––

It’s almost frightening how good and relevant this book is.

“Surf When You Can: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain” by Captain Brett Crozier with Michael Vlessides (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster, 2023).

This book about lessons of leadership would make a great gift for anyone who loves the Navy and the sea. Here’s an excerpt to show why.

“If my wife, Mary, is my one true love, then the ocean is my mistress. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with its power, its beauty, and its possibilities.

As a Navy captain, I had the privilege of experiencing the ocean in all her moods. At times it was so calm we could carve slow circles in the water with the carrier and eventually catch up with the white and blue mosaic of the ship’s wake before it faded into the depths below. At other times, the sea was an unforgiving bedfellow, with waves so massive they crashed over the flight deck, sixty feet above the surface. (In some cases, fighter jets have actually been damaged by water crashing over the flight deck.)

Yet no matter what the sea threw at me over the course of those thirty years, I never stopped appreciating the perspective she offered: from my place on the bridge, with the horizon stretching forever before me, I realized just how small I was in the world.

The excerpt is reminiscent of some of the works of Adm. James Stavridis (ret.), who speaks about Crozier in one of his own books. Also like some of our favorites such as Stavridis and Adm. William McRaven (ret.), Crozier offers terrific life lessons and superb leadership advice.

Stavridis blurbs: “Surf When You Can” is utterly compelling, authentic, and relatable –– simply superb advice in life and leadership!” Here on Navy Reads we have featured several posts related to Crozier and the challenges he faced.

Saluting TR's new CO Capt. Crozier, Nov. 1, 2019. (MC3 Sean Lynch)

Crozier, who was inspired to attend the U.S. Naval Academy after watching the original Top Gun movie, reflects on lessons learned as a junior officer, a helicopter pilot, a jet pilot, the executive officer of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), the commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and the CO of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). He became CO of TR exactly four years ago from tomorrow, Nov. 1, 2019.

What shines through in this book are the sometimes eye-watering sea stories that help Crozier make his points about what it takes to be a good leader and, in fact, a good person of character.

Unintentionally relevant to what’s happening now between Netanyahu’s Israel Defense Force and Islamist Hamas in Gaza, Crozier shares a story about going out of his way to prevent civilian casualties while flying his jet in combat over Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Using creative and flexible tactics, he and his wingman came to the aid of Marines while preventing collateral damage to innocent people who had no where else to go.

In “Surf,” Crozier teaches about humility, being willing to apologize, and the need to praise in public and reprimand in private. One key story is about his role as XO aboard USS Ronald Reagan, showing the importance of empathy and kindness in a recounting of a “pot-positive” captain’s mast. He tells humane stories about authorizing Sailor parents to attend their sons’ and daughters’ high school graduation in Yokosuka, Japan, ensuring his ship’s softball teams received the support they needed, and supporting a junior Sailor who took the initiative of immediately reporting what he thought was a “man overboard.”

Far from being angry because a young Sailor took initiative to do the right thing, Crozier showed compassion and appreciation for the young man’s courage to stand up and speak out. In another sea story he shows how a wingman’s failure to inform him of something he observed almost cost Crozier his life. Though angry over the incident, Crozier framed it as a teaching moment and one he kept for the rest of his career: If a thing is “not quite right,” see something, say something. His creative way of making this point, learning about “NKR,” is worth a read.

Capt. Brett Crozier, then-CO of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), addresses the crew at an all hands call in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (MCSN Kaylianna Genier)

But his key leadership point is this: Take care of your Sailors and they will take care of the rest.

I started this book at the last few chapters (before reading and re-reading from the beginning) because I wanted Crozier’s take on what happened to him: being fired at the direction of then-President Trump, Secretary of Defense Esper, and acting Secretary of the Navy Modly for actions Crozier took to minimize the spread of Covid aboard his ship. Trump even ridiculed Crozier in public.

At the time, during the early days of the pandemic, the Trump administration did not take the outbreak seriously and was offended when a Navy captain in the forward-deployed naval forces did. The vindictive response that followed was and is a warning.

When Captain Crozier saw something not quite right and spoke out to get help for his Sailors, he was removed from his position and ultimately forced to retire. What a tragedy. What a loss.

Not surprisingly, Crozier does not hold a grudge against the Navy he loves. He expresses no animosity to the feckless chain of command that facilitated his removal and then failed to reinstate him.

Here are just a few of the thoughts of this good and great leader:

• “Rank isn’t as important as being true to yourself and the people you’ve sworn to take care of.”
• “Perfection is an elusive goal, and part of being a good leader is recognizing your mistakes and owning them.”
• “I have always operated on the fundamental belief that most people want to do good in the world.”
• “We are stronger when we pull together.”
• “I think we’re better people when we open our hearts and minds to others.
• “If you’re willing to take a risk and operate outside your comfort zone, you’re going to learn and grow … (and) achieve things you may not have imagined possible.”

There are many more words of wisdom and inspiration.

For Crozier, it’s most important for himself and his Sailors to find balance in life: Job, family, and self. It’s no accident that “Surf When You Can” is the title of the book.  He says people can and should take time for themselves to recharge, whether it be through sports, gardening, or reading!

I found special resonance in this book. My kids also attended school in Yokosuka. I was a military brat, as were Crozier’s kids and his resilient wife, Mary. 

I see how much Crozier valued PAOs (public affairs officers) –– and vice versa. He obviously respected the role of a free media, of Navy mass communication specialists, and of the lasting impact of photo ops. The same can be said of books. Books such as “Surf When You Can.”

There is also a personal connection for me in how Crozier talked about his time in Hawaii (my chosen home) earlier in his career. From his connection with Barber’s Point, Russ “Rusty” Keaulana, and surfing at White Plains Beach he learned about pono, the Hawaiian concept of righteousness, kindness, and respect for others.

Crozier praises Sailors. Big time. He respects petty officers and chief petty officers as well as junior enlisted and junior officer personnel. The three most important values as a Navy leader, which he learned from a Navy chief in Hawaii are: Take care of your Sailors. Take care of your Sailors. Take care of your Sailors.

That’s what Capt. Brett Crozier did.

Fearlessly.

According to the book, a portion of the profits from "Surf When You Can" will go to "nonprofit organizations focused on supporting our nation's service members and veterans. To learn more about these and several other outstanding charitable organizations please visit www.surfwhenyoucan.com."