Maybe today’s Navy is just not very good at driving ships

Let me start by saying I retired in 1996 and the Ensigns we had on my last ships when I was a CMC were of the old school and had attended SWO Basic en route to ANZIO. One aboard the Precom and Ship they were afforded even more opportunities to refine their knowledge.

I agree that when Navy decided to cut SWO Basic in 2003 to cut costs it was a poor decision to reduce costs in short term and expect long term results to be the same in quality of training of new Ensigns in the Fleet. Anyone who has served on a SHIP knows that Optempo rapidly reduces any study time for even the most dedicated student. Look at the results of what happens with Afloat College Courses, there is a lack of study time and often students barely squeak by or are forced to withdraw, at least on smaller ships.

It is time to reinstitute SWO Basic and maybe, just maybe, we can get the next generation of Department Heads and CO's trained as the should be in Ship Handling, which is what Navy is actually, after all, what we should be doing. Technology is wonderful, but nothing beats a well trained Mark-One- Eye Ball and Common Sense on the Bridge.

Surprisingly refreshing to see this level of honesty.

Everyone knows it...but seeing it in print is another thing entirely.

They seem to be even worse at avoiding other ships.