sbu22
Guru
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Messages
- 1,253
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Panache
- Vessel Make
- Viking 43 Double Cabin '76
Back to catalinajack’s comment (#416) – I don’t think many readers without Navy experience can fully appreciate the brass cojones of that boatswain's mate. Boatswain's Mate of the Watch (BMOW) is a junior watchstation. Likely, our BMOW was a pretty junior guy (used generically, maybe a gal). Probably the rank equivalent of an Army PFC or corporal.
Speaking as a former raghat (enlisted) sailor, the mental leap that this sailor had to make to take this action is phenomenal. The USN surface fleet is an extremely hierarchical environment and it’s in your face every minute of every day. Example: as a mid-grade career enlisted submarine sailor (PO1) temporarily assigned to an aircraft carrier, I got lost (easy to do), and finally figured a route from where I was to where I was going. Unbeknownst to me, my course took me through a passageway in “Officer’s Country” – officers staterooms. When discovered, I received a basic training level public ass chewing for daring to violate sacred space by my transient presence.
In that context, this guy assesses the situation, looks at the response of 2 or 3 layers of management over him, and decides to take independent action to attempt to avert disaster. Although too little and too late, he/she ought to get a spot meritorious promotion and a medal. Of course, that won’t happen because every man-jack on that bridge and in the CIC will have a tarnished record following them as long as they’re in the USN. It’s the Navy way.
If it seems like I’m ragging on the USN – I am, as a family member. I spent 26 years there. Must have liked it.
Speaking as a former raghat (enlisted) sailor, the mental leap that this sailor had to make to take this action is phenomenal. The USN surface fleet is an extremely hierarchical environment and it’s in your face every minute of every day. Example: as a mid-grade career enlisted submarine sailor (PO1) temporarily assigned to an aircraft carrier, I got lost (easy to do), and finally figured a route from where I was to where I was going. Unbeknownst to me, my course took me through a passageway in “Officer’s Country” – officers staterooms. When discovered, I received a basic training level public ass chewing for daring to violate sacred space by my transient presence.
In that context, this guy assesses the situation, looks at the response of 2 or 3 layers of management over him, and decides to take independent action to attempt to avert disaster. Although too little and too late, he/she ought to get a spot meritorious promotion and a medal. Of course, that won’t happen because every man-jack on that bridge and in the CIC will have a tarnished record following them as long as they’re in the USN. It’s the Navy way.
If it seems like I’m ragging on the USN – I am, as a family member. I spent 26 years there. Must have liked it.