Yikes, he’s kidding right? This is like saying we are learning lessons. In short the problem is not the rust it is leadership, stop needling the ship and start scraping USNA.
Methinks,( me-hopes! ) the forces that make us want to look good outwardly will likewise point to some of the inner neglect so obvious beneath the surface.
"The Navy’s top admiral has acknowledged how crucial the anti-rust campaign is for the service, militarily and aesthetically.
“Appearance is important. You’ve got to look sharp,”...
The fact the CNO needs to address this topic shows you 'just how far' the U.S. Navy Officer Corps has strayed from common sense, traditional and standard values w/r/t maintenance and good order and discipline. To have to REMIND the force that their command should look 'Ship Shape' should be an indictment of the force and be so reflected in their fitness reports. Squadron Commanders and Fleet Commanders are NOT doing their jobs.
I remember the days of the haze grey wash coats on some ships. My concern is that some COs will resort to either that, or further running their crews into the ground. Rusty ships are a symptom, not a root cause.
As I have toured the fleet the past ten years I assure you it's not "we're working harder than ever." Leadership is more focused on quality of life. I recall our LPO making us bust rust during a port visit to Diego Garcia in the mid 90's. It sucked, but we understood the purpose. It makes for fun talk these days.
Yikes, he’s kidding right? This is like saying we are learning lessons. In short the problem is not the rust it is leadership, stop needling the ship and start scraping USNA.
Methinks,( me-hopes! ) the forces that make us want to look good outwardly will likewise point to some of the inner neglect so obvious beneath the surface.
"The Navy’s top admiral has acknowledged how crucial the anti-rust campaign is for the service, militarily and aesthetically.
“Appearance is important. You’ve got to look sharp,”...
The fact the CNO needs to address this topic shows you 'just how far' the U.S. Navy Officer Corps has strayed from common sense, traditional and standard values w/r/t maintenance and good order and discipline. To have to REMIND the force that their command should look 'Ship Shape' should be an indictment of the force and be so reflected in their fitness reports. Squadron Commanders and Fleet Commanders are NOT doing their jobs.
I remember the days of the haze grey wash coats on some ships. My concern is that some COs will resort to either that, or further running their crews into the ground. Rusty ships are a symptom, not a root cause.
As I have toured the fleet the past ten years I assure you it's not "we're working harder than ever." Leadership is more focused on quality of life. I recall our LPO making us bust rust during a port visit to Diego Garcia in the mid 90's. It sucked, but we understood the purpose. It makes for fun talk these days.