When I was a midshipman, I stood bridge watches , including the helm. Did the same in the fireroom, including spending twenty four hours in the firebox rebricking and recasting the firebox in the boiler, also engineroom - CIC -Sonar, etc. Each ship I served on I would make a point of steering the ship and learning from the master helmsman/woman. Carrier/LHA/LHD aviation CO's do not have that kind of experience and probably think it is beneath them. Point is, it is essential and professional to be involved with training and qualifying watchstanders. Their job is as important as the Captain's. In some ways more important because if the hundreds of actions and checks and details that watchstanders do routinely are not done, everyone is at risk. One of the reasons I love sailors in general and any who I served with in particular.

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