Navy Community - discussions, photos, video - Navy Times

Letters

CORRECT SLOPPY SAILORS

The issue of sloppy sailors — or sloppy service members, for that matter — has been around for as long as I can remember [“Stopping sloppy sailors,” Aug. 31]. The problem is there is a lot of finger-pointing on who is to blame, but no one standing up and saying, “Enough is enough.”

I have been in for 20 years, and I have seen a lot of trends. This latest one of sloppy sailors and lack of discipline has been growing for some time.

Those same people who pass blame and say it is the leadership’s fault need to come onboard as well. If the leadership cracks down to uphold a standard, then everyone in the chain needs to support it. From the E-1 to the O-6, don’t kid yourself and think that your junior sailors aren’t watching what you do. If we expect the best from them, then it’s only right that they get the best from us.

When I hear stories of people trying to do the right thing and correct infractions and getting attitude and arguments as a result, it makes me sad. We in the Navy are a team, and we should act as a team.

I witnessed a second class petty officer correcting an E-3 on his uniform. The E-3 began to give the PO2 attitude, and before I could interject myself, two more second class petty officers came over and helped correct the young sailor. Point being, you are not alone; your shipmates should have your back.

After the incident, I spoke with the E-3 and asked why he argued with the petty officer. He said that he didn’t see what the big deal was about him being out of regulation. That is the problem that is permeating our Navy. All of us are leaders and the keepers of traditions and customs, and it’s our problem. Instead of pointing fingers at others, we should take a look at ourselves and think about what more we can do to fix the problem.

HMC (FMF/SW/AW) Dover Slone

Camp Lejeune, N.C.

I was troubled by two letters by retired Chief Engineman Ron Baptista [“Pride in uniform, service,” Aug. 31] and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bart Stanisz [“‘Tired’ of sloppy sailors,” Aug. 17] concerning sloppy sailors in uniform and in civilian clothes.

Baptista mentioned an officer of the day aboard a cruiser who had an ill-fitting uniform and a “cap appearing to be two sizes too large.” When this happens, it means that the command structure on that ship and/or station is lacking, and someone should be fired.

On the carriers I served on, you stood watch with a proper haircut and a neat and correct uniform; but then we had outstanding commanding officers who made sure the ship and crew were doing their jobs. If you are a sloppy watch stander, you will be a sloppy warrior.

Lt. Leonard Vsetecka (ret.)

Brunswick, Ga.

Thank you, HM3 Stanisz, for having the courage and integrity to stand up for what’s right. For all chief petty officers and petty officers, you have to take a stand.

There is nothing new about any of this; it has been an ongoing issue that gets periodic coverage. If we do not say anything when we see it, it only gets worse. When a junior petty officer says there is something ugly about the way our people look around the bases, you can bet there is something very ugly about the appearances of our people.

What are you doing when you see an infraction of the regulations? It makes no difference who is not following regs. Try to correct the problem when you see it. For those who get stopped and told about an appearance issue, don’t get angry and mouth off. Fix the problem. The people who stop you are trying to maintain the sharp image the public expects of our military.

FCCM (SW) Michael Hare (ret.)

Upper Sandusky, Ohio

ANSWERS NEEDED ON EMALS

I read the article “No-steam launch system still unproven as carrier construction continues” [July 27]. I also read a response to that article [on the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System] where a suggestion was made to reactivate an old carrier to serve as a test platform [“Test EMALS on old ships,” Letters, Aug. 10]. With all due respect, this is not the issue.

General Atomics — indeed any company that may design and build such a system — has no need to have any commissioned carrier platform to design, build and test a fully operational EMALS. General Atomics is fully capable of constructing the full-scale EMALS on land, exactly as it’s [supposed] to be installed on the carrier Gerald R. Ford. Only slight modifications would need to be made for installation.

The issue is that General Atomics has not progressed far enough along on its design phase to actually start construction on EMALS so it can perform full-scale testing.

This system represents a radical change in catapult launching engineering, and the designed infrastructure of the new carrier takes that into consideration. To change the carrier back to a steam catapult system would not be an easy or inexpensive task. Entire compartments and major structural changes would be required to do this. And the further along the carrier construction gets, the more expensive this becomes.

I was appalled that Vice Adm. David Architzel gave such embarrassing runaround answers to the questions from Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y. While I served in the Navy, I was accountable. Had I ever given my superiors the verbal runaround, I likely would have found myself replaced. Architzel has stars on his shoulders. Get on the stick, and get those answers.

Perhaps we should have Disney design and build EMALS. Its California Screamin’ roller coaster is a state-of-the-art system run by its own electromagnetic launch system. And it works.

ETC (SS) Glenn Moss (ret.)

Simpsonville, S.C.

PROTOCOL FOR FUNERAL

While watching CNN deliver live coverage of the return of the remains of Gulf War pilot Capt. Michael Scott Speicher, I was deeply appalled by the Navy honor detail as it removed the flag-draped casket at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 13.

The Navy allowed the national colors that draped his casket to be covered with flowers placed by family members as [the honor guard] carried his casket from the aircraft to the awaiting hearse. In no way should there be anything placed on the national colors, especially when draping a casket of any veteran before, during or after funeral services.

There was a lack of attention to detail on the Navy leadership in the coordination of this ceremonial honor. I am not browbeating the family members for honoring their loved one with flowers; I am saying to the naval personnel responsible for the protocol and conduct of this honor ceremony: Read your flag manual — or, better yet, read the Marine Corps flag manual.

Gunnery Sgt. William Dixon

Marine Barracks, Washington