No more 2/O Navigators?

In Service Military Sealift Command
21

Straight from Norfolk and the Mate who is running the Nav/Ops Program:

To reply to your concerns. There is no formalized classroom setting training for OPS. There is a manual and CD for OJT but it is definitely not to the standard it needs to be. It does not address the subtleties of the positions nor does it acclimate the CIVMAR Officer to the culture and milieu of “militarized” operations within the US Navy. I am in the process of updating the contents of the Operations CD.

Having said that, there will be a paradigm shift in what is expected from the 2/Os and 3/Os, but I firmly believe the skill set for NAV/OPS is already on board. It is the actualization and activation of that skill set that I think is impediment. Please remember you have at your disposal a “Professional” Ops Chief on board to assist you. I also firmly believe that the NAVOPS is not on an island as he will be engaged with the Chain of Command from his Ops Chief to the Master.

My best advice to a “new” NAVOPS (DISCLAIMER: based upon personal experiences, mileage may vary from ship to ship) is to not lose the forest amongst the trees. Utilize the OPSC position he/she works directly for you. Some of them were Chiefs and Senior Chiefs on board T-AOs and T-AKEs as OPS prior to getting out of the military.

Also, (DISCLAIMER: based upon personal experience) I would not hesitate the delegate to the 3/Os many of the navi-centric functions of the 2/O position. There is no reason the NAV/OPS should be slaving away correcting 5th Fleet Charts when he/she should be overseeing the planning of 7th FLT Events. I say this with a grain of salt because each 2/O will have to examine the competency of their subordinates, but I think you understand that keeping the 3/Os engaged is going to lessen the workload and pay dividends in bridge team cohesion and foundational knowledge.

As for Duty Statements, the “Second Officer” Duty Statement is 10 pages long! I am in the process of merging the Navigator and Operations Officer Duty Statement together. For the time being here are the answers to your questions:

*Nav/OPSO responsibilities during UNREPs / VERTREPs
I would say that your overall responsibility would be the safe navigation of the ship. This is where the OPSC would have to mind the Chat/Navy Red/FLT Tac/L-L. But as Nav/OPS he/she should be going through you to make the Tactical/Steaming intentions.

*Nav/OPSO responsibilities during Fleet operations (i.e., formation steaming VBSS ops)
I am glad you brought this up. Depending on the complexity of the exercise (Form 1 vice PhotoEx) and the Master’s discretion I would say at the minimum the OPS Chief needs to manning the Tactical Comms and the NAV/Ops may need to augment the watch.

To elaborate on the more: The Nav/OPS is off the watch bill and at the discretion of the Master can target his/her participation towards more demanding watches (Straits, RDVU’s, Screens, heavy traffic).

*Operation publications custodian / maintenance
When I was Nav/Ops this topic was brought up by the SCO. Most of the Classified Pubs and Documents are mostly PDF or on those AEPL CDs and are easily stored in the Ops Office Safe. Two barriers etc etc etc.
In my opinion this role should be delegated to the OPSC and overseen by the NAV/OPS.

*Training of Watch Officers and watch standers
This role is not new for the 2/O. The Nav/Ops is around to monitor the Navigation Watch (not just the 4 to 8) and all the Navigation Equipment. He has time to ensure everyone on watch is doing their job…like a true OICNW. I firmly believe that being off the Watchbill actually aids in the training of Watch Officers and Watch Standers.

*Security responsibilities
I am sure we will still have to maintain our periodicity on Small Arms as we could possible still be engaged in shipboard security. The advantage here is on board Ammo laden ships. Since the Nav/Ops is no longer a Watch Officer they can now qualify and stand the CDO position on board.

I sincerely appreciate the dialogue. I know this process will not be easy for Mates that do not have the Ops background but let me assuage those concerns and let you know once you get the rhythm you will find that it is not all that difficult.

I know you have more question so please feel free to fire for effect. That’s what I am here for.

22

Will there be any math?

23

[QUOTE=AllSea;101854]Straight from Norfolk and the Mate who is running the Nav/Ops Program:

To reply to your concerns. There is no formalized classroom setting training for OPS. There is a manual and CD for OJT but it is definitely not to the standard it needs to be. It does not address the subtleties of the positions nor does it acclimate the CIVMAR Officer to the culture and milieu of “militarized” operations within the US Navy. I am in the process of updating the contents of the Operations CD.

Having said that, there will be a paradigm shift in what is expected from the 2/Os and 3/Os, but I firmly believe the skill set for NAV/OPS is already on board. It is the actualization and activation of that skill set that I think is impediment. Please remember you have at your disposal a “Professional” Ops Chief on board to assist you. I also firmly believe that the NAVOPS is not on an island as he will be engaged with the Chain of Command from his Ops Chief to the Master.

My best advice to a “new” NAVOPS (DISCLAIMER: based upon personal experiences, mileage may vary from ship to ship) is to not lose the forest amongst the trees. Utilize the OPSC position he/she works directly for you. Some of them were Chiefs and Senior Chiefs on board T-AOs and T-AKEs as OPS prior to getting out of the military.

Also, (DISCLAIMER: based upon personal experience) I would not hesitate the delegate to the 3/Os many of the navi-centric functions of the 2/O position. There is no reason the NAV/OPS should be slaving away correcting 5th Fleet Charts when he/she should be overseeing the planning of 7th FLT Events. I say this with a grain of salt because each 2/O will have to examine the competency of their subordinates, but I think you understand that keeping the 3/Os engaged is going to lessen the workload and pay dividends in bridge team cohesion and foundational knowledge.

As for Duty Statements, the “Second Officer” Duty Statement is 10 pages long! I am in the process of merging the Navigator and Operations Officer Duty Statement together. For the time being here are the answers to your questions:

*Nav/OPSO responsibilities during UNREPs / VERTREPs
I would say that your overall responsibility would be the safe navigation of the ship. This is where the OPSC would have to mind the Chat/Navy Red/FLT Tac/L-L. But as Nav/OPS he/she should be going through you to make the Tactical/Steaming intentions.

*Nav/OPSO responsibilities during Fleet operations (i.e., formation steaming VBSS ops)
I am glad you brought this up. Depending on the complexity of the exercise (Form 1 vice PhotoEx) and the Master’s discretion I would say at the minimum the OPS Chief needs to manning the Tactical Comms and the NAV/Ops may need to augment the watch.

To elaborate on the more: The Nav/OPS is off the watch bill and at the discretion of the Master can target his/her participation towards more demanding watches (Straits, RDVU’s, Screens, heavy traffic).

*Operation publications custodian / maintenance
When I was Nav/Ops this topic was brought up by the SCO. Most of the Classified Pubs and Documents are mostly PDF or on those AEPL CDs and are easily stored in the Ops Office Safe. Two barriers etc etc etc.
In my opinion this role should be delegated to the OPSC and overseen by the NAV/OPS.

*Training of Watch Officers and watch standers
This role is not new for the 2/O. The Nav/Ops is around to monitor the Navigation Watch (not just the 4 to 8) and all the Navigation Equipment. He has time to ensure everyone on watch is doing their job…like a true OICNW. I firmly believe that being off the Watchbill actually aids in the training of Watch Officers and Watch Standers.

*Security responsibilities
I am sure we will still have to maintain our periodicity on Small Arms as we could possible still be engaged in shipboard security. The advantage here is on board Ammo laden ships. Since the Nav/Ops is no longer a Watch Officer they can now qualify and stand the CDO position on board.

I sincerely appreciate the dialogue. I know this process will not be easy for Mates that do not have the Ops background but let me assuage those concerns and let you know once you get the rhythm you will find that it is not all that difficult.

I know you have more question so please feel free to fire for effect. That’s what I am here for.[/QUOTE]

Did you cut and paste this from email you sent to a Captain who was worried about his sleep? Three 3rd Mates on watch sounds like trouble! MSC has been hemorrhaging good deck officers for years and this “paradigm” shift is only going to make it worse.

24

[QUOTE=DeadQuarters;105225]Did you cut and paste this from email you sent to a Captain who was worried about his sleep? Three 3rd Mates on watch sounds like trouble! MSC has been hemorrhaging good deck officers for years and this “paradigm” shift is only going to make it worse.[/QUOTE]

It will work because it has to work. I wonder how they decide which third mate gets the gas mask duty and which is responsible for throwing the Christmas party in Augusta.

25

[QUOTE=Slacker;107239]It will work because it has to work. I wonder how they decide which third mate gets the gas mask duty and which is responsible for throwing the Christmas party in Augusta.[/QUOTE]

I imagine that would be a decision for the Über Third ™. I’m continually amazed by the scope and breadth of their stupidity.

26

[QUOTE=AllSea;101854]

I sincerely appreciate the dialogue. I know this process will not be easy for Mates that do not have the Ops background but let me assuage those concerns and let you know once you get the rhythm you will find that it is not all that difficult.

I know you have more question so please feel free to fire for effect. That’s what I am here for.[/QUOTE]

I just spoke with another 2/O that has 20+ years with MSC. He too is considering a demotion. As a 3/O his work load will decrease and his pay will increase.

What’s your plan?