As you were: conceited or just easier to correct?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:37:31 -0400

When doing DNC (for those that still utilize this old skill) when the person giving the orders messes up I always wondered why they say as you were. It comes off as if they never make mistakes even though it was their fault. So is it to be conceited or just easier to correct the mistake?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2014 11:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:41:24 -0400

I thought it was to be taken literally. In other words, go back to my last correct command (as you were, before I screwed everyone up).

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 26 at 2014 11:59 PM

COL Randall C. — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:59:28 -0400

FM 22-5: The commander gives the command AS YOU WERE to revoke a preparatory command that he has given. The command AS YOU WERE must be given prior to the command of execution. The commander cannot cancel the command of execution with AS YOU WERE. If an improper command is not revoked, the personnel execute the movement in the best manner possible

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 12:30 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 00:30:51 -0400

During DnC, when I'd hear the command "as you were", I always took it to mean, "Continue what you were doing because I screwed up."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 1:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 01:11:26 -0400

The reason you as YOU were is because the group you gave the command to is moving. The person giving the command is stationary so saying as you were is just letting them know to return to the position they were previously at. This is usually only done as long as the command of execution was not given. If the command was executed you have to just do another facing movement. Hope this helps.

Response by CDR Thomas Gatliffe made Jul 27 at 2014 1:41 PM

CDR Thomas Gatliffe — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 13:41:59 -0400

In the Navy, I would use "Belay that" for a screwed up order. That translates as "Cancel that action order entirely." If you wanted just to stop the action at whatever stage it had currently reached the correct order was "Avast ..." but usually only Boatswains Mates or others used to working in the Deck Division would understand that word. I would usually attempt to immediately follow the "belay" order with the correct order. That procedure was also appropriate in overriding a junior's orders.
Example: JOOD: "Right full rudder!" OOD: "Belay that! I have the Conn. Left full rudder!" Followed soon thereafter by a period of instruction (a$$ chewing) for the JOOD by the OOD or the Senior Watch Officer out of ear shot from the rest of the bridge watch once the situation had fully stabilized.