Investigators’ task to find out why U.S. destroyer failed to dodge cargo ship

LT Brad McInnis - Sounds like sound decision making from a good officer on the mid watch. I would tell the JOs I trained that it was the most important watch because everyone was asleep and counting on your integrity to stand your watch. Unfortunately, there are some who lack that integrity, anyone SWO who has spent time on a ship has seen it.

LCDR (Join to see) - I never had a problem going into fires or boarding drug smugglers for inspections, but I was scared every time I stood bridge watch. I never felt anywhere near comfortable. I remember I was sent to take the 2200 - 0200 OOD watch right after qualifying, and I am sure I pissed everyone off by double and triple checking everything (and we were open ocean steaming by ourselves!). At least I always had great sailors to back me up!

LT Brad McInnis - That is what bothers me about this story. We will have to wait for the investigation to be complete but good sailors have always saved my butt. When I was the Navigator I would always get left and right mixed up. Luckily I had a good group of QMs, CIC and Bridge watch standers looking out for me. Fact is this had to be a complete breakdown of a watch team. I have seen some JOs that people finally get tired of and sit back and watch them flail. Very sad.

LCDR (Join to see) - There were certainly a bunch of good sailors that saved my bacon a bunch of times. Thankful to everyone of them.