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Z-Gram #44; dated 13 October 1970

Quarterdeck Watches

R 131824Z OCT 70
FM CNO (Z-44)

TO NAVOP

UNCLAS //N01601//
QUARTERDECK WATCHES

1. EXPERIENCE AS A QUALIFIED QUARTERDECK WATCH OFFICER IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT IN THE CAREER OF EVERY UNRESTRICTED LINE OFFICER. A WELL-RUN QUARTERDECK IS CHARACTERISTIC OF A SMART NAVAL SHIP. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT DISPARITIES IN THE ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICERS AS QUARTERDECK WATCHSTANDERS EVEN WITHIN SHIP TYPES. IN SOME SHIPS JUNIOR OFFICERS STAND WATCHES WHICH SENIOR PETTY OFFICERS CAN BE QUALIFIED TO FILL.

2. I CONSIDER THAT OUR SENIOR PETTY OFFICERS ARE CAPABLE AND DESIROUS OF ASSUMING A LARGER MEASURE OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THEIR SHIPS. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THEM THIS OPPORTUNITY AND TO ACCORD THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF RECOGNITION FOR THE CAPABILITIES OF OUR RESPONSIBLE SENIOR PETTY OFFICERS, I DESIRE THAT THE ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICERS AS QUARTERDECK WATCHSTANDERS BE MINIMIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:

A. ONCE QUALIFIED IN ALL ASPECTS OF QUARTERDECK PROCEDURES, OFFICERS OF THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE AND ABOVE SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM QUARTERDECK WATCHES EXCEPT UNDER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
B. USE OF OFFICERS AS QUARTERDECK WATCHSTANDERS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THOSE VERY OCCASIONAL PERIODS WHEN SAFETY, SECURITY, TEMPO OF ACTIVITY, OR PROTOCOL REQUIRES THE PRESENCE OF AN OFFICER ON THE QUARTERDECK.

3. FLEET AND TYPE REGULATIONS SHALL BE REVISED TO CONFORM TO THE FOREGOING. E. R. ZUMWALT, JR., ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY, CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.
BT

[END]
Published: Tue Sep 20 06:27:23 EDT 2016