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to be curt with them. Be tactful in your dealings with
mess management personnel.
If you feel that a
complaint is in order or disciplinary action is
necessary, deal directly with the mess caterer who has
charge of the mess management specialists.
In summary, base your relations with enlisted
personnel upon the same mutual respect as you base
you relations with your fellow officers. The measure
of respect you inspire in your enlisted personnel is
your measure of success as an officer. You can earn
this
respect
by
exhibiting
the
following
characteristics:
A sincere concern for your responsibilities
A fair sense of justice
Interest and concern for your crew’s welfare
Dignity and bearing
Firmness and consistency in requiring
obedience to your orders and those of your
superiors
An interest in, and knowledge of, your
profession
SUGGESTIONS FOR JUNIOR
OFFICERS
The following suggestions will assist you in
becoming a respected naval officer and help you get
along with others:
Do not offer excuses for failure or negligence.
Assume responsibility and do not depend on alibis.
Freely accept the blame if the failure is yours.
Remember your responsibilities. Trying to be
a “nice guy” will sooner or later cause you grief.
Holding a liberty boat for a fellow officer who is late
is an example. Your executive officer will not accept
your doing a favor for a fellow officer as a reason for
not following an approved boat schedule.
When you receive orders that involve your
subordinates, ensure the orders are promptly and
smartly executed. Trust your people, but check to
make sure actions are proper and timely.
Never
apologize for, or question, orders in front of your
subordinates.
If you have a problem with orders,
consult your senior.
Avoid complaining. If you have something to
complain about, do something to rectify the situation
or keep quiet.
A cheery greeting and a smile will motivate
your juniors and help your seniors get started with
their day.
Gambling, drinking, and drug abuse afloat are
general court-martial offenses. The Navy does not
tolerate drug abuse. Using drugs will result in your
dismissal from the service either by administrative
discharge or by court-martial. If you refuse urinalysis
you are subject to disciplinary action and
court-martial.
Possession of drugs is a federal
offense. You have sworn to uphold the Constitution
and the laws deriving from it. If someone else is using
a drug, leave. Report the incident via your chain of
command to your commanding officer (CO) as soon
as possible.
If you do not, and it comes to the
attention of your CO by other means, you will be in
trouble for failing to report a crime. Protect yourself;
report the offense as quickly as possible. The person
who abuses drugs in your presence has no concern for
your welfare and deserves no consideration.
ORDERS AND COMMANDS
What is the difference between an order and a
command?
An order gives you a job to do and leaves the
manner of accomplishing it up to you. Orders do not
always specify completion times, but do frequently
set time limits.
A command directs a specific action, without
alternatives. For example, if a senior tells you to
report to the division office at 0800, that’s a
command. On the other and, if a senior tells you to
have a certain report prepared by the end of the week,
that’s an order.
Naval custom, tradition, and common sense
suggest you regard a senior’s “wish” or “desire” as an
order.
WARDROOM ETIQUETTE
The term mess applies to those members of the
naval service who, for convenience and sociability,
eat together. It comes from the Latin word mensa,
meaning table. Officers entitled to the privileges of
the wardroom are members of the wardroom mess.
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