>  CS> I never tried for that one but many QMC/SMC's have done so and they are
 >  CS> often the OOD.  So many times a ship has made a note that all the
 >  CS> 'Officers' on deck were enlisted, they stopped mentioning it around
 >  CS> 2002.
 > 
 > 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?

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

 >  CS> Not related.  Big deck stuff.  Small decks and subs, that position is
 >  CS> junior enlisted (CSOOW) if they have one at all.  Big decks, is same
 >  CS> level as EOOW and just under OOD.  Officer or rate related enlisted for
 >  CS> weapons and other combat systems gear.  Basically in a battle I trll
 >  CS> the EOOW what load centers to prioritize so we can survive a battle.
 > 
 > 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?

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

I've had many a PO2 who thought I was a slacker only to find I was not in the
CPO mess, but the XO's cabin when he was looking for me, or with the Airboss
working out aviation NEC balancing etc.

 > 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 :)

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

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

It is possible the blending I mention was there in your time, but hidden from
you.
            xxcarol
--- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32