lessonslearned
Power Trip
When this inexperienced Navy offi cer must make a tough
call that could change the course of two sailors’ careers,
he soon appreciates the weight of command.
M
y first challenge as a U.S. bridge, and I’ll bet they are scared as
Navy division officer was hell. I don’t want them to think they had
to recommend punishment one chance in the Navy and they blew it.
for two watch standers who had fallen But I will do whatever you recommend.
asleep in the emergency steering com- It’s your call.”
partment of our ship. He was giving me a great leadership
This compartment essentially is a pair lesson — if I was capable of grasping it.
of very small rooms, each about the size At captain’s mast, it was clear the two
of a closet, which contain back-up equip- sailors were frightened. The captain
ment for a ship’s steering system. The read the charges: “Sleeping on watch is a
room holds a steering indicator and one damned serious offense in my Navy. But
folding metal chair; no radios, books, or Lieutenant Junior Grade Breaux here
other reading material or other forms of thinks you two are worth saving. If it was
entertainment are allowed. The watch my call, I’d throw the book at you, but I
stander wears an unwieldy set of head- have to go with his recommendation.”
phones to communicate with the helms- My recommendation was for 10 days’
man, who operates the bridge steering extra duty, confi nement to the ship, and
system. The area is poorly ventilated, a suspended reduction in rank.
warm, and noisy with the sound of the As we left the area, my two sailors
propellers that sit beneath it. thanked me profusely: “Sir, we will never
The two sailors being punished had let that happen again. Thanks for your
never been a problem before; they always confi dence in us.”
Tell Your Story
had good attitudes and seemed eager I smiled to myself. The captain made
■ Shar Submit ye your servicour lessonse-
to pursue their duties. After falling asleep himself the bad guy and me the hero.
rleelatarned bed advy e-mail tentureso (or
while on guard, they were scheduled The lesson here is that there are times
mishapsprofserie) bs@moaa.y e-mail torgo
for nonjudicial punishment, or captain’s when the alternatives are better than
encor bory mail te@moaa.o MOorAAg, or
mast, at which time I would have to the rules. Using the authority you have mail them tProfessional Serieo Encors, 201e Edi-
recommend punishment. just because you have it is not always the
tN. Wor, 201 N. Washington St., Al-ashington
Several days before captain’s mast, my proper course. People make mistakes
St., Aleexandria, Vxandria, VA 22314. AllA 22314.
All submissubmissions will be csions will be on-
captain asked for my recommendation. — especially young people or sailors on
csideronsidered fed for publicor
publication.ation.
My response was, “We should throw the their fi rst enlistment.
book at them, sir.” To this day, I still have not forgotten
The captain, a Navy Cross recipient that lesson. MO
from World War II, took a drag of his
cigar and said, “Ken, the book is what
— Kenneth Breaux is a retired Navy com-
you use when you don’t know what else mander. He lives in Houston. For submission
to do. I’ve seen those two up on the
information, see page 18.
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