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Handbook for Petty Officers, published annually
for each rating, provides an excellent source of
information on these requirements.
Watch Stations
Almost every division of any command in the
Navy requires personnel to stand watches.
Although the requirements for the different
watches may vary, personnel must meet the
qualifications for each watch they stand. Division
officers must provide qualified individuals from
their division to meet these watch require-
ments.
Before personnel can stand a watch, they must
complete the PQS for that watch. The PQS
Program qualifies officer and enlisted personnel
to perform portions of their assigned duties. This
could include a specific watch station, such as
OOD or a specific job, such as 3-M coordinator.
Personnel qualification standards are a written
compilation of the knowledge and skills required
for a specific watch station. Division officers have
the responsibility of tracking the progress of their
personnel in completing the PQS required of
them. Having an efficient watch team requires
having personnel who are properly qualified to
stand the watches. Anything less is an invitation
to disaster.
SUMMARY
While being a naval officer may not be one
of the easiest jobs you have, it could well be the
most rewarding. It might not make you rich or
famous, but it can be a job in which you have
great pride.
Your duties as a naval officer are immense;
yet so is your authority. Use this authority wisely
in performing your duties. Remember, the gold
bars you wear on your collar don’t make you
smarter; they only give you authority, Depend on
your chiefs and petty officers for guidance; they
have the experience and can teach you much if
you will let them.
Think back on chapter 1 for a moment. Do
you remember what the role of the U.S. Navy is
according to Title 10 of the U.S. Code? The
Navy’s role is to be ready to conduct prompt and
sustained combat operations in support of the
national interest. For the Navy to be able to fulfill
this role, you, as a naval officer, must be ready
to perform your military duties. Only through
self-examination, study of your job, and mature
and rational performance can you fulfill your
duties and responsibilities as a naval officer.
REFERENCES
Standard Organization and Regulations of the
U.S. Navy, OPNAVINST 3120.32B, Office of
the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington,
D.C., September, 1986.
United States Navy Regulations, 1990, Depart-
ment of the Navy, Office of the Secretary,
Washington, D.C., 1990.
SUGGESTED READING
Lee, D.M., J.M. Brown, R. Morabito, H.S.
Dolenda, Watch Officer’s Guide, 12th ed.,
Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Md., 1986.
Mack, W.P. and T.D. Paulsen, The Naval
Officer’s Guide, 9th ed., Naval Institute Press,
Annapolis, Md., 1983.
Noel, J.V., Division Officer’s Guide, 8th ed.,
Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Md., 1986.
U.S. Department of Defense, The Armed Forces
Officer, DOD GEN-36A, American Forces
Information Services, Washington, D.C.,
1988.
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