This book explores the professional development of two notable and highly accomplished naval officers and their contributions to the origins, evolution, and implementation of the Aegis Weapons System. Thomas Wildenberg argues that there was no single career path or set of formal qualifications for achieving excellence in the naval profession as characterized by selection for Flag rank. He asserts that a combination of essential personal traits and important operational and technical experiences fundamental to the nature of naval warfare are critical to developing highly competent and confident officers. Such officers are essential for leading major acquisitions programs capable of delivering innovative weapons systems for a twenty-first-century Navy facing new-age threats.