> Wow, this is mind-boogling to me. :)  I wonder who takes the heat if the
 > ship runs aground with a all enlisted crew on the bridge?

 CS> The CO, same as if it were officers.  It doesnt change because they are
 CS> enlisted watchstanders.

Ok, that's still true then. :)   Heck, he can be ashore and still at fault.

 >
 > Not sure I follow this one?  But from what I read into this it seems that
 > senior enlisted rates are doing more and more jobs that were once only
 > officer work?

 CS> Yes, but they may have done it in your day too.  The average PO2 today,
 CS> is seldom aware of what their '2 or more ranks above' are really doing.
 CS>  It's just not a subject that comes up all that often.

True.  I have to admit I had no idea what a CT1 might have to do in re to 
added military duty?  My guess is not much, he just got more pay for doing 
the same thing I was doing.  :) 



 > I guess my old mind set is still back in the days where we didn't even talk
 > to officers unless we had to - in fact went out of our way to avoid them.
 > Working side/side was a concept way beyond me :)

 CS> Smile, it's ok.  I bet you have managed things too were the folks who
 CS> who worked for you, didnt know all you were doing.  The layered
 CS> structure of the military leads to this.

The only thing I can recall I got stuck with, and that was when I made 3rd, 
was I became 'hut captain' and was responsible for making sure the thing 
got swept down once a day etc.   Also had to 'greet' the inspection party 
on the very rare hut inspections.   Don't even know why I got stuck as 
about 4-5 others in the hut made CT3 the same day? Maybe it was because I 
was a 4.0 sailor?  :)

 CS> A Junior officer is just that.  Junior.  The Navy has it a bit off as
 CS> by O3 they generaly have a decent clue, but are still called 'junior
 CS> officers'.

 CS> It is possible the blending I mention was there in your time, but
 CS> hidden from you.

Possible, and I'll be the first to admit I wasn't all that concerned with 
it. :)  I lived by the golden rules: Keep your head down, never volunteer, 
never be the squeeking wheel and hope they ignore you.  :)

Worked for me.  :)


  
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