Rickover’s Principles

Admiral Hyman G. Rickover (1900 – 1986) is widely recognized as the “Father of the Nuclear Navy.” His 63 years of U.S. Navy active duty service, with 30 years at flag rank, make him the longest serving naval officer in U.S. military history. He is one of only four people to have been awarded two Congressional Gold Medals. He directed the original development of nuclear naval propulsion and controlled its operation for three decades as the Director of the U.S. Naval Reactors Office.

Rickover was both feared and revered. His passion for accepting total responsibility for one’s actions, making safety the highest priority, and training as the cornerstone for success are legendary.

While serving as a safety consultant on U.S. Department of Energy Tiger Teams in the 1990’s, Mr. Hildebrand had Rickover’s Principles drilled into him. These seven principles include: 1) Adopting a Rising Standard of Adequacy, 2) Developing Technical Self-Sufficiency, 3) Facing Facts, 4) Respecting the Hazards and Risks, 5) The importance of Training, 6) Concept of Total Responsibility, and 7) Capacity to Learn From Experience.

Rickover’s Principles had a profound effect on Mr. Hildebrand’s 30 year successful career as a hazardous materials emergency planning and response consultant to public safety agencies, industry, and the U.S. military.

This presentation will discuss Rickover’s Principles, the principles of good leadership, and how you can apply them to your Hazardous Materials Response Team to create a safety culture and improve operational readiness.