What makes you think that anyone on this forum is a greenhorn? That’s a pretty arrogant assumption in my view.
John, Rob,
I certainly agree that the support of the merchant fleet was vital for success in WWII (and every maritime conflict in our nation’s history) and I wouldn’t say that goes unnoticed by those in the Navy. However, any combat arms profession will judge warfighting to be the most important determinant of a conflict. In reality, without dedicated logisticians, and an entire industrial base and civilian support team making sure the warfighters are prepared, defeat is almost certain. Some professions have not - and possibly never will- receive the recognition they are due. Just ask any SUPPO, intel officer, or base OPSO. Even within warships, there’s a stratification. CRU/DES at the top, amphibs at the bottom. Having spent the majority of my time on Aegis ships may make me a bit biased, but you don’t exactly see amphibs launching missiles…but at least I admit my bias! So, the problem goes far beyond the USN-USMM divide…perhaps it’s how Sailors entertain themselves or fill the boring mid-watches, but some of these beliefs are ingrained in the culture - right or wrong.
As for the future of USN-USMM cooperation, I think a potential for improving the relationship does exist. If you look at the platforms being brought into service- specifically the MLP/AFSBs, you’ll note that these highly regarded ships have a USNS designator - not USS. The Ponce is currently doing great things in the Gulf and will be a a test platform for the new shipboard laser (tested first by a DDG, but better suited to MLP). Merchant sailors already run the the command ship in the med, as well as various tenders and oilers. They’re a small, but critical part of our Navy.
The best opportunity may be to teach cadets/mids - both can learn from each other, and there seems to be a general lack of interest on both sides to learn the other platforms. It isn’t that hard to pick up a copy of Ships and Aircraft (and the Merchant Marine equivalent, which I honestly don’t know), or to learn through forums such as GCaptain (assuming one can look beyond the insults and arrogance of some of the forum participants who insist that all new folks are greenhorns regardless of extensive seatime and credentials). I would also suggest engagement with senior Navy flags. Invite them to be guest speakers. Participate in their conferences - the annual Surface Navy Symposium in January is SWO-central, yet I don’t recall ever seeing a merchant mariner there.
Bottom line, it’s certainly a two way street, but I do believe there are opportunities out there to bridge the gap.
[QUOTE=blackshoe;126612]As for the future of USN-USMM cooperation, I think a potential for improving the relationship does exist.[/QUOTE]
Not as long as the unholy alliance between MARAD and the Pentagon means that American military cargoes are transported on foreign bottoms while American ships and American mariners lie idle.
Blackshoe, who is on the Flag Selection Committee? How do they decide?
[QUOTE=cmjeff;126739]Blackshoe, who is on the Flag Selection Committee? How do they decide?[/QUOTE]
eenie meenie minee mo …
[QUOTE=DeadQuarters;126280]She is an inspiration for us all! Maybe one day I will be Supply Officer on the USNS Medgar Evers. Nothing can stop me![/QUOTE]
Do you have food handler on your Z card yet? Gimme another plate of beef alamode and a monkey dish of beanie weenie.
[QUOTE=john;126305]There is no need for assumptions here because I’ve had the privilege to meet some of her former shipmates… I can’t publish the details but I can say that if I every walked aboard a ship and discovered that she was in command you’d find me kayak.com booking a seat on the red eye.
(In all fairness to her… I’d probably do a “Gangway 180” if I discovered that any former Navy O6 or above was in command of the vessel)[/QUOTE]
Heresay and perfectly worthless unless you are willing to elaborate with information that can be independently verified.
Your last sentence is telling.
[QUOTE=Rotorhead;127093]Heresay and perfectly worthless unless you are willing to elaborate with information that can be independently verified.
Your last sentence is telling.[/QUOTE]
No I am not willing to elaborate or verify my sources.
Does the NY Times have an independent party verify confidential sources? Does any established news organization? Does a Naval officer’s oath include protecting my Constitutional right to exercise Reporter’s Privilege?
I’m not suggesting that gCaptain is the NYTimes but we are a news organization that has spent last 7 years building (and protecting) the reputation of this site. It’s certainly your privilege to question gCaptain’s reputation, and we may debate whether we have earned your trust, but my comments are not hearsay or worthless because they come with a heavy risk… we can be sued for Libel.
(P.S. I’m not suggesting all comments on this forum are protected under Reporter’s Privilege… but certainly the professional reporters and editors who write articles, administrate this forum and, on occasion, reply to comments posted here.)
[QUOTE=john;127260]No I am not willing to elaborate or verify my sources.
Does the NY Times have an independent party verify confidential sources? Does any established news organization? Does a Naval officer’s oath include protecting my Constitutional right to exercise Reporter’s Privilege?
I’m not suggesting that gCaptain is the NYTimes but we are a news organization that has spent last 7 years building (and protecting) the reputation of this site. It’s certainly your privilege to question gCaptain’s reputation, and we may debate whether we have earned your trust, but my comments are not hearsay or worthless because they come with a heavy risk… we can be sued for Libel.
(P.S. I’m not suggesting all comments on this forum are protected under Reporter’s Privilege… but certainly the professional reporters and editors who write articles, administrate this forum and, on occasion, reply to comments posted here.)[/QUOTE]
Absent anything to back what you say, your assertion is worthless rumor mongering, and beneath someone who claims to be an administrator for a reputable forum.
[QUOTE=Rotorhead;127314]Absent anything to back what you say, your assertion is worthless rumor mongering, and beneath someone who claims to be an administrator for a reputable forum.[/QUOTE]
I don’t claim “to be an administrator for a reputable forum”, I am the founder and administrator of this forum… you get to decide if it’s reputable or not. That’s your choice. My choice is to either waive or retain my right as a journalist to protect my sources from those who anonymously sling terms like “rumor mongering”.
[QUOTE=john;127380]I don’t claim “to be an administrator for a reputable forum”, I am the founder and administrator of this forum… you get to decide if it’s reputable or not. That’s your choice. My choice is to either waive or retain my right as a journalist to protect my sources from those who anonymously sling terms like “rumor mongering”.[/QUOTE]
Is it just me or is this place getting up tight lately? Everyone seems to be all wound up these days! Chill out everybody!
Reputable journalists do not engage in unattributed character assassination. You, sir, are no journalist.
[QUOTE=Rotorhead;127401]Reputable journalists do not engage in unattributed character assassination. You, sir, are no journalist.[/QUOTE]
I don’t know what news you’ve been reading/watching but I would like to strongly disagree with both of those statements. It seems like all any journalists do these days is use nameless, faceless sources to destroy people a lot less deserving of such embarrassment than this lady. You can’t open a newspaper or turn on any kind of news network without witnessing some anonymous source obliterating some poor soul, deserving or not. Anything John has commented about this Admiral is completely tame compared to what the mainstream news sources do on a daily basis.