I believe great leaders live for moments like this. I think it's the opportunity to lead through a crisis, to mobilize the organization, and to leave it in a better place than before is what motivates people like Adm. Carter. He was Supe when DD was on the Yard, so of course I researched his history of command. Wow!
But I think I know what you mean, @WT Door. A long career of solving problems in the military is top-level training, but solving problems amid the current strains of academia is another beast all together.
DD was a 3c. She and I were taking a first-time walk around Midway Museum in San Diego. I was having a ball; DD was making a good show of looking interested in a bunch of aircraft on static display. Up on the flight deck DD spied an F14. She squinted at the Call-Sign below the canopy for a second before saying: "Dad thats the Supe’s plane! Will you take a picture of me standing in front of it!" I remember thinking. he must be a pretty good Supe.