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Letters

Time for a course change

Holy John Paul Jones, what in the world is going on in my Navy?

It seems that every week some commanding officer is relieved or fired [“Sacked,” Aug. 11]. Something is wrong in the selection process or character of our leaders. Possibly we need to look into the crew that is serving these leaders.

Hopefully, the department head, division officer, division chief and leading petty officer will be investigated, and if found derelict in their duty, will be hung out to dry. If explosive material was stored in a smoking area [aboard the carrier George Washington], the folks responsible for those spaces must be held accountable.

I served on five aircraft carriers, and each department had spaces assigned to it. Each division was responsible for certain spaces: clean, secure, water-tight integrity, gas-tight envelopes.

Come on, sailors — get on the ball and do your duty, and help out your CO and XO.

Lt. Leonard J. Vsetecka (ret.)

Brunswick, Ga.

The CO and XO of the carrier [George Washington] were “sacked” due to the fire onboard their command that resulted in adverse international press coverage, huge schedule changes and financial impact. What was a surprise to me was that these fine officers were sacked, because the whole episode could have been avoided.

There are very few calamities that could not have been avoided, so why the severe punishment in this case? The answer is simple — frustration.

The Navy has been letting standards and discipline slip for many years, so now the ax will fall freely on those who are unfortunate enough to draw adverse attention to the Navy and their commands. Is it right? Is it just to hold those unlucky few responsible for the sins of the entire leadership over the last few decades? It is neither right nor justified.

The Navy has been far too occupied coddling the young troops and trying to make them feel more a part of a loving, caring family, rather than a well-ordered and disciplined military organization.

The leadership sees the negative results of this lack of standards, and rather than take the decisive and unpopular action of changing course for the Navy, they have opted to sacrifice a few good men to scare the hell out of the rest of the Navy leadership and get them to do the dirty work so the “big brass” can sit back and collect the praise and credit.

I hope that those senior officers who snipped the horsehair on the sword of Damocles take a moment to look upon themselves, as they are just as apt to have it happen to them.

It’s time to set higher standards, maintain and enforce those standards, and start gaining the respect for authority that has been largely avoided for far too long. It’s time to start being leaders and exemplifying leadership rather than the enabling and coddling that has gone on for far too long.

GMC (SW) Gerald McDonald (ret.)

Roseville, Minn.

Healthier on deployment

The article “Health self-ratings slip months after return from war” [Aug. 11] presents a glass-half-empty explanation of why service members report their health as “fair” or “poor” months after returning home from their deployment.

The article misses the most obvious explanation: A service member’s health is often better while deployed. Additionally, there is nothing in this self-rating scale question of “How is your health?” that can be linked to [post-traumatic stress disorder], especially the much rarer form of late-onset PTSD.

Health is composed of so many factors — relating to stress, family, finances, spirituality, culture, mood, activity and physical self-image — that it is not useful in defining or diagnosing a disease. With all due respect to our wounded and fallen warriors, many service members’ deployments are a chance to improve their health.

Most walk more, earn more, have less domestic stress, routinely exercise, have meals including fruits and vegetables prepared for them, and are not allowed to drink alcohol.

The glass-half-full interpretation of why most service members report their health as “good” during deployment is probably because they have opportunities to improve their health, are avoiding some unhealthy habits back home and are choosing a healthy lifestyle.

Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Penta

Taqaddum, Iraq

‘Brouhaha’ pointless

I don’t know if I’m missing the point over this “shipmate” brouhaha, but what is the big deal about being called “shipmate” if you screwed up or didn’t screw up [“‘Shipmate’ turns sour,” Aug. 4]?

The word “shipmate” isn’t a derogatory word. It’s one who serves on board the same ship with a fellow sailor. So, getting rid of “shipmate” and using the person’s name and or rank also could be derogatory, depending on one’s tone of voice.

While we’re on the subject, let’s get rid of the petty officer third class through chiefs rates that end in “mates.” Boatswain’s mate, machinist’s mate, gunner’s mate, electrician’s mate, etc. Oh, and one more: sailor.

Jeff Michaelson

Delray Beach, Fla.