Shipmates,
You are the most highly trained, well-educated and committed team to ever wear the Navy uniform. Every day you serve and protect. Our nation’s security depends on you. As John Paul Jones said, “men mean more than guns in the rating of a ship”— and it’s still true today. We are built upon our people — the Sailors and Civilians who serve and stand ready to go into harm’s way.
The program, described here, is designed to enhance the professional development of our Sailors and Civilians. I encourage you to read these relevant books — they are about our profession. The list is designed to help us learn more about our proud heritage and gain a greater understanding of what it means to be a 21st century Sailor.
Books are being made available throughout the fleet (in lending libraries aboard every ship, submarine, squadron and station throughout the Navy) as printed books and as electronic books. The books are arranged in categories that align with our three Tenets: “Warfighting First,” “Operate Forward,” and “Be Ready.” The books will also be sold via the Navy Exchange (retail stores and online store).
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) and I encourage the use of these books in General Military Training (GMT), informal discussion groups, and 
for consideration wherever Sailors gather. The motto of the CNO-PRP is “Read to Be Ready,” and those four words say it all.
Finally, while the 42 books in the CNO-PRP are all great books, do not limit yourself to reading just the books in this program. Seek out other books that excite or interest you, and take advantage of the lessons that can be learned from the experiences of others.
I look forward to hearing about what you are reading. Don’t hesitate to recommend a book to MCPON, VCNO or myself — I’ll see you out there in the Fleet!
JONATHAN W. GREENERT
Admiral, U.S. Navy