I’m not saying there aren’t bad sticks out there. What I’m talking about is willingness to protect and promote Shoes who don’t rise to even the basic level of competence as shiphandlers. And I’ve said it in the past, but when a community as a whole doesn’t value fundamental professional acumen, how do you expect it to have any sense of esprit de corps? What are you left with?
Now I’m also not saying that being a good mariner is everything. I’ve known guys who were great aviators but still shouldn’t be in command of anything. But it has to count for something. I’m sure someone will pipe up with a counter example, but I find it impossible to imagine being in a squadron with a DH who just doesn't fly, ever, per the Skipper’s orders, because he’s flat out incompetent in the airplane - let alone that guy then leaves with good paper and screens for command.
Anyway - I still have a problem with these guys going to a GCM over this. “Being held to a high standard” is one thing, and I agree that consequences are definitely in order. The OOD and CIC watch team’s sailoring days should be over. But there’s a big difference between professional consequences and criminal culpability. Unless these dudes were drunk or asleep on watch, I don’t see how you make the leap from incompetence to criminal negligence.
