The surface fleet is the only part of the Navy where new ensigns are sent to ships to get trained on the job. Both submariners and aviators are trained before reporting for duty.
That was just so wrong.
It was a disservice to the young Officer and all the Enlisted.
Search for “Surface Warfare Officers School” and discover what training precedes assignment to a vessel.
True. During Vietnam I was a newbie ensign just out of OCS. I had the deck watch on the way to Mare Island for munition loading. After we left Alameda with the captain on the bridge, he went below with instructions to call him when we neared our location or if there were any problems anticipated. It was heady responsibility to conn the ship up San Francisco Bay keeping visual track of buoys and any other vessels that may impede our progress. As we got closer to our destination, he again came to the bridge as he had requested. I felt relieved but proud when I relinquished the ship to the operations officer.