Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Again, I am not a sailor, but I have often wondered what the efforts to reduce crew sizes to save money would have on damage control, watches, and the ability of the ship, if necessary, to fight and defend itself. Many of the vessels that were seriously damaged in combat during WW II were saved by the herculean efforts of many of the crew in damage control operations.
To me, it appears to be a failed experiment, unless we anticipate never actually employing our vessels in naval combat again.
TR
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"A failed experiment" is being gentle.
All spot on points, sir, and arguments opposing your conclusions would be on shaky ground. DoD chose to reduce manning in many systems to save money, and that acquisition strategy permeates all the services. It's fine and dandy when you're doing nothing more than show-and-tell whiz bang, shopping mall recruitment drives. A lot of shock and awe in all the technology impresses folks. Unfortunately, a war of attrition especially at sea doesn't respond to glitz. Winning such a war requires people.
"The new ship here is fitted according to the reported increase of knowledge among mankind. Namely, she is cumbered end to end, with bells and trumpets and clock and wires, it has been told to me, can call voices out of the air of the waters to con the ship while her crew sleep. But sleep thou lightly, O Nakoda. It has not yet been told to me that the Sea has ceased to be the Sea." (Rudyard Kipling)