In the minds of most naval officers the uppermost question is undoubtedly that of selection: “Will I make the grade, and what can I do about it?” But running this a close second is the query: “What will my next duty be—where will I go from here?” It is indeed fortunate for the service and a creditable reflection on the high caliber of our commissioned personnel that, although much private thought and public discussion are devoted to these absorbing questions, in the great majority of cases the individual performance of duty in the present job is in no wise affected.
The reasons for the keen interest in the next job come under the general headings of “personal” and “professional.” It is natural that an officer should have a preference in regard to geographical locality; family, friends, climate, health, and economy are decidedly personal factors. It is also natural that he should desire a job which will enhance his prospects of selection; he wants a billet which he feels he can handle with credit, and he wants a combatant job which “carries considerable weight.” In a general way it may be said that personal considerations receive most weight in the choice of shore duty, while professional aspects largely decide what sea billet to ask for.
The answer to this all-important question lies, as everyone knows, with the Officer Detail Section of the Bureau of Navigation. But the answer is sometimes not at all satisfactory to the individual concerned, and it is with a view to explaining how the answer is arrived at, and giving a clearer perception of the problems faced by the Bureau that this article is written.
General Policy
As in all other lines of naval endeavor, it is essential that the Navy be served first and the individual second; the best interests of the service must always be kept uppermost in mind in any assignment to duty. But, strange as it seems, it is only infrequently that the interests of the Navy are entirely incompatible with the desires of the individual. It is a primary duty of each detail officer to bring the two into alignment as best he can, and a high percentage of success crowns his efforts. It requires much thought and considerable juggling of names and billets, but the result justifies the effort. For the Detail Section is keenly aware that it carries a large share of the responsibility for that most important ingredient of a successful Navy—esprit de corps.
The general policies governing the assignment of officers may be briefly stated in order of importance as follows:
- To supply each activity, afloat and ashore, with the officers necessary to its proper functioning, such officers to be qualified by training and experience for the duties to be assumed.
- To so vary the nature of the duty to which an officer is successively assigned that it will afford him a well-rounded career, embracing various types and branches. The purpose of this is twofold. First, it is considered that a diversified career is desirable in the development of an officer for high command. Secondly, as an outgrowth of our selection system, it is also desirable that all officers be given an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in various fields. Hence the Detail Section makes a serious effort to see, for instance, that an officer with a long record of battleship duty is given a chance at destroyers or auxiliaries; that no officer spends too long a time away from combatant types; that the specialist gets an occasional crack at deck duty, and so on. While the individual may not approve of these efforts in his behalf the policy is a sound one which in the long run makes for justice and contentment.
- To give serious consideration to the wishes of the officer. This policy causes the detail officer more work than all others combined. For no officer is ever assigned without at least a knowledge of where he wants to go and an honest effort to line this up with the other requirements. Of course, it is often impossible to give him what he wants. Many officers aim at the moon and ask for jobs to which their rank and experience obviously do not entitle them. Literally hundreds of officers ask for the War College when only a few can be spared for this instruction. There may be a dozen applicants for one particular recruiting station, and so on. Disappointments are inevitable, but they are greatly ameliorated if the officer gets his second, or even his third or fourth choice of duty. He is, after all, a reasonable chap, and this convinces him that his wishes are at least being considered.
There are other minor policies which are either too well known to require elaboration or are outside the scope of this article. Deserving of further comment, however, is the requirement to keep charges against travel within the current appropriation. Rarely does this affect the where of an officer’s assignment, though it frequently affects the when and the how. It often becomes necessary, for instance, to cut short his leave so that he may complete his travel within the fiscal year. Or it may be necessary, as funds dwindle, to make wholesale use of transports rather than to permit unnecessary commercial travel. Such actions, necessary though they may be, are distinctly not conducive to a high morale, and with this in mind are kept to a minimum.
Organization
To present a clear picture of the functioning of the Detail Section it is desirable to give a brief description of its organization.
The Director of Officer Personnel serves directly under the Chief of Bureau and administers the Officer Detail Section and the Officers’ Records Section. The latter, though an intensely interesting office, is outside the scope of this paper.
The director is the senior detail officer and all others are classed as his assistants. His principal duties are administrative and co-ordinative, and the volume of his work may be roughly estimated when it is realized that almost every piece of official correspondence to, from, or regarding every officer in the Navy passes over his desk. In addition to this ever increasing burden he has another sizable task—the making of the captains’ slate and the writing of their orders. The director’s desk is known as “Desk One” and the Director himself is usually a senior captain.
Next in line is “Desk 2,” usually occupied by a senior commander. He is responsible for preparing slates and issuing orders for commanders, lieutenant commanders, and lieutenants of the line—excepting submarine officers and aviators. The volume of work requires a lieutenant assistant. In general, the commander concerns himself directly with commanders and lieutenant commanders, while his assistant under his jurisdiction handles the two-stripers. The total number of officers carried on this desk approximates 2,700.
Numerically, next comes “Desk 2½.” The reason for the fractional designation is unknown but probably this desk was an afterthought, inserted to assist “Desk 2” when the work load became too onerous. “Desk 2½” is now an entirely distinct entity and is handled by a lieutenant commander aviator. His interests are most varied, as he is responsible for the orders not only of all aviators, but for those of all doctors, dentists, paymasters, constructors, civil engineers, chaplains, nurses, pharmacists, and pay clerks. The total number of officers carried on this desk is close to 3,500, but this heavy load is somewhat lightened by the fact that the desk is relieved of the burden of slate-making with its attendant prolific personal correspondence. BuAero and each staff bureau has its own personnel officer who prepares the slates and requests “Desk 2½” to issue orders in accordance therewith. The final decision, however, always lies with BuNav, and “Desk 2½” must assure himself that all such requests are in accordance with BuNav policies.
“Desk 3,” usually a junior commander with a lieutenant assistant, is responsible for all submarine details and all junior lieutenants and ensigns of the line (less aviators)—about 2,200 officers. The number actually handled during a year is augmented by the fact that all former submarine officers are carried on this desk until it is determined whether or not their services will be required in submarines. If not, they are released as early as possible to general service, “Desk 2.” Orders to graduating midshipmen are also handled on this desk. The occupants of “Desk 3” are officers of submarine experience.
Reverting again to fractional designations, “Desk 3½” is held by a line lieutenant commander who is charged with the assignment of some 1,100 warrant officers, excluding pharmacists and pay clerks. He is further responsible for the preparation of orders for temporary and repeated travel, orders for promotion and retirement, and other miscellaneous orders. Most irksome of all is the administration of the current travel allotment; his is the task of checking up on the cost of all orders issued and of putting on the screws when necessary to conserve funds.
“Desk 4,” occupied by a line commander, is not a detail desk. It is frequently called the “Allowance Desk” as one of its chief functions is to allocate the total officer personnel of the Navy to ships and shore stations to the greatest advantage to the service as a whole. “Desk 4” is also the section’s expert on legislation affecting officer personnel and has the dubious pleasure of making frequent appearances before congressional committees. This desk is the catchall for any miscellaneous item which comes to the section, and the number of such items is legion.
Personal Data Cards
There has recently been inaugurated in the section an innovation which has proved a tremendous boon to harassed detailers. I refer to Form N. Nav. 278, usually designated the Personal Data Card.
During the noon hour about three years ago two of the officer assistants in the section, dead tired of thumbing through countless fitness reports to determine the preferences of duty of their charges, decided to investigate the army’s methods. A trip to the Munitions Building demonstrated that the Army had numerous ways of doing it—the Cavalry handled the situation differently than the Infantry, and so on. But one branch, the Quartermaster Corps I believe, used a card system which had considerable merit. After much discussion, and modification to the needs of the Navy, a similar system was adopted.
It is difficult to exaggerate the help these cards have been. It was formerly necessary to visit the Records Section to determine from the latest fitness report the desires of the officer for duty. Another form must be consulted to find out what his previous duties had been. Still another office must be visited to ascertain his present marital status and number of dependents, and so on. All of this took considerable time and it was possible that, during the rush season, some important consideration might be entirely overlooked. The cards, now filed within easy reach of each detailer, place all essential information at the finger tips.
Thus far the cards are only semiofficial and are for the use of the Detail Section alone. As a result officers make a much cleaner breast of their real desires than they were wont to do on fitness reports. For example, many hundreds of fitness reports would list first choice for sea duty as “BBs, Batfor,” and for shore duty, “Naval War College”; frequently no other choices were listed. This was obviously due to the knowledge that fitness reports were closely perused by selection boards and were intended to indicate professional ambition. That this intention achieved its purpose is doubtful, but it is certain that they were of little value to the Detail Section. Letters were frequently received requesting detailers to disregard the fitness reports and expressing unofficially their writer’s real desires. If no such information was forthcoming it became necessary either to make a blind assignment or to initiate a long-drawn-out personal correspondence. The card system has resulted not only in better service to the officer but in a great reduction in the detail officers’ so-called “fan mail.”
Many officers have failed to get the idea behind the cards and consider them simply another useless form to be filled out. Sometimes cards are received bearing under “Duty Desired” the notation “See last fitness report.” In many other cases the record of previous duties is left entirely blank, or else bears a reference to the previous card. Requiring the detailer to dig into the records to fill in missing data is scarcely conducive to a co-operative frame of mind. Although he is predisposed in your favor and wants to help, he expects a modicum of assistance from you, too.
Under “Special Qualifications” again consider the harassed detailer. Don’t say “Correct as listed in Navy Register,” as has been done, and don’t just put down the numbers used in the Register to signify such attributes. All detail officers are familiar with their bible, the Register, but they haven’t memorized all the maze of special designations listed therein. It will be appreciated if you will write them down in plain English and not necessitate research work.
Lastly, use the “Remarks” space to call attention to any special considerations which you believe should influence your assignment. If you expect a blessed event in the near future you may be sure the detail officer will be sympathetic and keep your confidence. If ailing parents require your proximity don’t hesitate to let him know. And there are numerous other personal considerations of the utmost importance to the individual which the detail officer, being almost human, will recognize and give due weight.
Joseph Gish vs. the Detail Section
The backbone of the officer personnel of the Navy is, of course, the Line. So perhaps the simplest way of describing the various factors involved in assignments to duty is to follow through with a mythical line officer in general service from the Academy to retirement. The careers of submariners and aviators vary but little from the pattern and the same considerations are applicable. In the case of staff corps officers there are, of course, numerous other considerations inherent in the nature of each corps, but their assignments run a roughly parallel course.
Midshipman Gish, first class, is about to achieve his ambition and become a full-fledged naval officer. Where will he go? For the only time in his career until he attains flag rank his destiny lies elsewhere than in BuNav. About January prior to his graduation “Desk 3” weighs the number of prospective ensigns against the number of vacancies in junior officers which will exist in the Fleet in June and informs the Superintendent of the quota to be assigned each BB, CV, CA, and CL. He is also advised that each ship shall receive approximately equal proportions of outstanding athletes, and that no ship shall get more than her share of savoirs. Subject only to these restrictions the usual procedure is for the embryo officers to get their choice of ships by drawing lots. Their orders are delivered by BuNav on graduation, and Ensign Gish is granted leave until as near June 30 as the movements of his ship will permit.
Having reported for duty Ensign Gish is safe from molestation for at least two years. In the past it has occasionally been necessary to send new ensigns to small ships either immediately or at the end of one year, but this condition has not obtained for some time and probably will not in the immediate future. So Gish is free to make his Hollywood dates as far in advance as he likes, at the same time undergoing his two-year rotation of duties. At the end of this period he may elect to become an aviator or submariner, or may transfer to a staff corps; but assuming he continues in general service he now comes due for a possible change of duty. The current policy regarding junior officers requires that during their first sea cruise, normally seven years, they be given duty in heavy ships, in small ships and, if practicable, in auxiliaries. The maximum time to be spent in either large or small combatant ships is five years, though very few officers remain so long in one type.
Those young officers who are sent to destroyers early in their career are handpicked by “Desk 3,” for it is recognized that, with their meager allowance, destroyers can ill-afford to carry any deadheads. While the recommendations of the captains of heavy ships are followed as far as possible, it is only natural that they should desire to keep their most valuable ensigns. So it is necessary to look at the record of each junior officer proposed for transfer to determine that he has exhibited those qualities essential to success in a billet carrying greater responsibilities. To err is human, and mistakes are frequently made. But they are many times due to the fact that an excellent record on battleships doesn’t always indicate a ready adaptability to destroyer duty.
Ensign Gish remains a third year in his battleship, moves into the wardroom and becomes a top watch stander. But at the end of this year BuNav sees fit to disregard the skipper’s request that he continue on board and slates him for a destroyer. As his old Academy sweetheart still awaits him on the east coast, “Desk 3” heeds the request on his card for a training destroyer and brings him east. Funds are low so he is ordered to ride the Sirius as an extra watch officer. But Gish has acquired a second-hand car and it is essential, for purposes of romance, that this be brought east. With some trepidation he requests a modification of orders to permit him, at no additional expense to the government, to drive across continent. He is both pleased and surprised when he receives approval by dispatch.
Soon after he reports to his new ship he receives orders for examination and is an extremely busy young man for a few weeks. Eventually everything straightens out—he gets hold of the new job, he receives his commission as lieutenant (junior grade), and he even has time for brief trysts with the O.A.O. Winter brings a letup from the reserve training cruises and his ship pauses for a much-needed overhaul. Such an opportunity is not to be missed! So enter Mrs. Gish upon the scene.
After about a year, and having accomplished his main purpose in coming east, a trip to Washington affords him an opportunity of making his first personal contact with the Detail Section. Feeling that he would profit professionally by returning to the Fleet he broaches the subject, but is informed that inasmuch as he was transferred east at his own request it is expected that he will remain at least two years. His desires, however, are recorded and at the end of another year he receives orders to a new destroyer which is heading west to join her mates at San Diego.
Here he spends an active and profitable year. In the early fall he is somewhat disturbed by a BuNav Circular Letter informing him that, having completed six years’ service, he will be eligible for postgraduate instruction in June, provided he desires to become a specialist. After much discussion with his skipper (and with Mrs. Gish) he decides to postpone this schooling another year.
When, about the following March, he receives orders to serve his last year at sea in the Ramapo, he regrets this decision. There are certain very personal considerations at home which convince him he is needed in the vicinity. So he gets off an air mail to “Desk 3,” revealing that he is about to become a father and asking if he can’t stay where he is. After an anxious week or two he is informed that the slate is now so far advanced that it is impossible to release him from auxiliary duty, but that, in view of impending events, his orders will be modified to a San Diego tender, in swap with a bachelor who prefers the Ramapo. This arrangement has caused the detail officer no little time and thought, but it was all in the day’s work. Gish is well satisfied and finds tender duty profitable in many ways.
The general policy is to give a young officer auxiliary duty during his last year at sea, although it is often necessary to vary this procedure and send him to this duty between his large and small ship assignments. Except in the case of surveying duty, where more permanency is essential, such an assignment seldom exceeds one year. Due to the small junior officer allowance in auxiliaries it is impracticable to give all officers this experience, but should they avoid it now their chances of getting it on their second cruise are greatly enhanced.
At the end of seven years Gish is due for shore duty. This is a matter which requires his serious consideration. He knows that many of his classmates will be selected for postgraduate instruction; indeed not a few were sent to this duty the previous year. So he must now give much thought to the pros and cons of becoming a specialist. He also knows, or learns from discussions with his superiors, that, due to the very advanced mathematics involved, relatively high class standing is necessary to be chosen for ordnance, aerology, marine design, or radio engineering. Gish realizes his deficiencies on this score and confines his consideration to operating engineering, applied communications, and the general line course. Feeling that his destiny lies in straight line duties rather than as a specialist, he finally makes his decision and applies for the line course. The importance of this decision cannot be over-emphasized as its effects will follow him at least through the grade of lieutenant commander. And it is a decision which each officer must make for himself, based on his own honest belief as to wherein lies the greatest benefit to the service, and hence to himself.
Gish is selected for the general line course and soon receives his orders, with commercial travel and a month’s leave en route, for these are considered to be inherent rights at the end of a sea cruise and, unless circumstances are very stringent, are always given.
Meanwhile, Gish has successfully hurdled the first big obstacle in his career by having been selected to be a lieutenant. He arrives in Annapolis rejoicing in the fact that he will soon make his number, but he quickly finds that shore duty is not the bed of roses he had anticipated, that long hours of study are necessary to keep pace with a streamlined and arduous course. However, the fact that many others are in the same boat, together with the varied week-end diversions, lends a certain zest to the life.
When an officer completes his first seven years of duty the Detail Section considers him to be a lieutenant even though he may not yet have made his number, and his card passes to “Desk 2.” In the case of Lieutenant Gish his first contact with his new detail officer is toward the end of his year of instruction, when he becomes due for reassignment for his second year ashore. There is but little choice as to location, as it depends entirely upon the vacancies in the few billets where officers can be profitably employed for so short a time, and the majority of these are in the Chesapeake Bay area. Gish is fortunate; he makes a good impression at the Academy and is chosen to remain there another year as instructor, thus avoiding pulling up stakes. But such opportunities are few.
At the end of his second year ashore and his ninth year of commissioned service Gish is again sent to sea. By this time the call of blue water is strong and he is glad to go. There is no tinge of envy of those classmates who, for special reasons, are remaining a third year ashore. The previous August, in preparing his data card, he has maturely considered where he should go. He has heard it is advisable to have service in all types, but he is much enamored of destroyer duty. So he decides to shoot the works and makes his first choice “Exec of DD,” but he bows to the other consideration by making his second and third choices “CA” and “CV,” respectively. Here he runs foul of the “duty-band” system which is of self-evident necessity adopted by “Desk 2.” Based on vacancies at sea and the respective rank of officers available to fill them, Gish’s class is not yet eligible for destroyer executive billets—and the chances are that Gish had figured this out for himself but was hoping for a break. He doesn’t get it. His detail officer joyfully notes that he is not averse to duty in a carrier, for, strange to say, there are few volunteers for this up-to-the-minute and interesting duty. On an off afternoon in the winter Gish runs down to Washington to learn his fate and is informed of the decision in his case and the reasons therefor. He sees the point and accepts it with good grace.
Had Gish become a specialist this fact would have had great weight in his assignment, and he could have definitely expected duty in his specialty. As the specialist must go wherever there is a vacancy in his particular line, he naturally has much less choice of duty.
Gish receives his orders in good time but disappointedly notes that he is allowed only two weeks from detachment until joining his new ship. Others, who are in the know, explain that this is because detachments from his ship are very heavy in June and it is necessary to provide replacements as early as possible; also that officers coming ashore get the preference in the matter of leave. It is sometimes even necessary to send officers to sea on straight proceed orders, but an effort is always made to give a reasonable length of time to drive a car to the new station.
Lieutenant Gish finds his new duty interesting and pleasant. But his old love persists and during his second year he indicates on his card that he would like a change of duty—to a destroyer. This is carefully noted by his detail officer and it is later found to fit in very well. He could normally expect to do his full three years in the same ship (except in auxiliaries) in view of the desirability of permanency of personnel. But an unexpected vacancy occurs in a new destroyer and it is necessary to make an exception. As Gish is on record as wanting this duty, and as he has done well as “B Division Officer” in the carrier, he receives orders as engineer of a 1,400-tonner, a billet usually reserved for design or operating engineers.
Gish has barely got his teeth into his new job when he realizes he is due ashore in another year. So his data card receives unusual thought and care. He enjoyed his last duty at Annapolis and thinks he would like to go there again, especially as Mrs. Gish would be near her family. But his own aging parents are imploring a glimpse of their only grandchildren (Gish has now collected the standard Navy family of two) and he feels that something is due them as well; a recruiting job near the old home town would just fill that bill. Last, but not least, he considers his professional advancement; not being a specialist, the junior course at the War College seems to be indicated. Finally the card goes in: “(1) Junior War College; (2) U.S.N.A.; (3) Recruiting, Podunk City; (4) Any east coast duty.” Few officers are as broadminded as Gish in making their fourth choice but it is a help when they are. Gish also fills in “Remarks” to indicate that his desire for recruiting duty is based solely on locality and that he is not interested in it elsewhere.
As before, his wishes are carefully noted. He is first placed on a tentative slate for the War College, along with the many others who want this instruction. But it soon becomes apparent that, due to heavy demands from other shore activities incident to a greatly augmented building program, the junior class at Newport will have to be cut to the bone. As Gish is comparatively junior for this duty his name comes off early. It is now submitted to the Recruiting Division as a prospective recruiter at Podunk City, and at about the same time is also included in a list sent to the Superintendent of those desiring duty at the Academy. Officers other than those attached to the Officer Personnel Division may not look at Gish’s official record (except by written authority from Gish himself) but his detail officer gives it a careful once-over to determine if he is a suitable prospect for these duties, advising the Boss Recruiter and the Superintendent of his findings. The Recruiting Division, being right on the spot, is first to indicate that Gish is entirely satisfactory and accordingly he is slated for Podunk City. But this is not the end. Somewhat later a representative from the Academy arrives and urges that the Superintendent is very desirous of the services of certain officers, among them Lieutenant Gish. It is customary to permit the Academy so far as possible to select its officer personnel, or at least to place its stamp of approval upon those selected. So, there being other acceptable volunteers for Podunk City, the much-abused eraser is again brought into use and Gish is finally slated for a repeat tour at Annapolis. He may not know this until his orders are published, but if he gets too impatient he can always write his detail officer to learn the status of his case. The latter is glad to give him this information and any pertinent reasons affecting it.
Had Gish elected to be a specialist this shore cruise would certainly have been spent in the prosecution of his specialty, perhaps in the bureau concerned or at a navy yard, perhaps in some far-off communication billet, or perhaps also at the Academy teaching his specialty to others. Prior to his final slating, however, the specialist can be sure his personal desires have received the sympathetic consideration of both the personnel representative of the bureau concerned, who is consulted in his assignment, and of the detail officer himself, and that these have been aligned as closely as possible with the needs of the service.
Gish receives his orders in due time and is pleased with them. He has the knowledge that he missed out on the War College through no fault of his own and his parents know that he at least asked for duty near them and will be content with a long visit from the Gish family as they motor east.
The second year of Gish’s shore duty is an eventful one. First, before he has had an opportunity to consider where he should go to sea he is approached by his Head of Department who informs him that his services have been highly satisfactory and asks him to remain a third year. This new development requires serious thought, and his quandary is further complicated by the fact that he is now in his fourteenth year of commissioned service and is up for selection in the spring. Should he go to sea or stay ashore? The question is entirely a personal one and the answer lies only with Gish. Whether or not wisely, he finally decides that the bounding main is the proper environment for a naval officer and respectfully informs his boss of this decision. Now to fill out his card, which by this time is a bit overdue. The lure of the destroyer is still strong, so as first choice he puts down “Exec of new DD”—this time knowing that he is eligible. Secondly he chooses to be an assistant head of department in a battleship, and thirdly, ditto in a cruiser. As to locality his first choice, as with most officers, is “U. S. Fleet,” and he stops there.
Later on business takes Gish to Washington and he makes a point of dropping in to see Classmate Door, now assistant on “Desk 2.” He learns that he is being considered for the Asiatic Station and, having never had duty beyond continental limits, is undoubtedly due for it. Secretly Gish is not entirely surprised, but he nevertheless puts up a loud squawk, feeling that this is the customary thing to do. Door then points out the advantages: more important assignments for relative rank; more opportunities for collecting medals; the broadening aspects of foreign duty. Besides, the children are just the right age—old enough to be past the dangerous stage as regards health, and not so old that schools are a vital factor. Gish, somewhat mollified, says he’ll think it over.
The Selection Board finally determines the matter. Gish, though worried (and who is not?), with a fine, honest record of service, and with no skeletons in his personal closet, easily makes the grade. Had he failed of selection it is probable that he would have been assigned to a combatant unit of the Fleet to give him a chance to better his record. But now, being safe for another seven years, he is a sure bet for China. By this time, still basking in his recent glory, he doesn’t mind. In fact, he is further exhilarated by a sense of impending adventure.
Had Gish not gone Asiatic it is probable he would have served the next three years as exec of a destroyer, as assistant head of department of a heavy ship with the likelihood of fleeting up to head of department eventually, as head of department of an auxiliary, or perhaps a staff job. Had he been a specialist he could count on spending at least part of this cruise in his specialty, though probably an opportunity would also be given to obtain some general line experience.
Gish finds that the Asiatic Station has its points. In the first place he is given a full month’s leave prior to sailing. His orders give no inkling of the nature of his ultimate duty but provide simply that he shall report to the C-in-C for assignment. The Asiatic Commander in Chief is his own BuNav and the destinies of officers, except in some very specialized cases, lie entirely in his hands during their tour of duty with him. BuNav provides a resume of previous experience, but stops there. However, shortly after the merchantman in which Gish is taking passage crosses the international date line, radio orders are intercepted which direct him to report as exec of a river gunboat. This proves to be fascinating duty, and his unusual experiences provide him with lifelong material for wardroom bull sessions. During this tour he makes his number and is promoted, so Lieutenant Commander Gish is now transferred to command a destroyer on the station, considerably in advance of his classmates in home waters.
His 2½-year assignment passes quickly and he is soon confronted with the necessity of choosing his next shore duty. After being out of touch with the real Navy for a long period he feels that duty in the Navy Department would serve to modernize him; besides, he has always heard that such a tour is advisable to see “what makes the wheels go ’round.” He is still interested in the War College but, now that he has absorbed the correspondence course, considers it secondary to Washington duty. Also, as a purely personal factor, his family has done a lot of batting around for the past couple of years and he hesitates to submit them to a broken shore cruise. So in its final form his card lists first choice as Opnav; second choice, BuNav; third choice, Naval War College; fourth choice, any Washington duty.
In recording Gish’s wishes the detail officer makes special note of the fact that, due to a 2½-year cruise, he will be available for an early assignment. This is distinctly in his favor in landing a job in the Department for it permits a contact relief, which is usually difficult to arrange. Also in his favor is the fact that an unusual effort is made to give officers returning from China their choice of duty. So it is soon arranged that Gish will get his first choice—duty in Opnav. As Gish’s tour expires in February the C-in-C, Asiatic Fleet, is promptly advised to so issue his orders. He is also informed that BuNav has approved the request of Lieutenant Commander Gish to return via Europe, with the usual delay—which means that he will be allowed three months from date of detachment until reporting in Washington. By this time Gish is fully convinced that his Asiatic tour has been well worth while.
Our hero reports to the C.N.O. early in May, allowing his predecessor plenty of leeway in getting to the west coast to make his own contact relief. After passing the Alice-in-Wonderland stage Gish finds himself very busy but much interested in his new duties. But he also finds Washington a bit trying on the pocketbook after his experiences with oriental rates of exchange. However, by careful management and the curbing of recently acquired champagne tastes, he contrives to keep ahead of the sheriff.
Again, had Gish been a specialist it is most likely that this shore cruise, like the preceding one, would have been spent in his specialty.
During his second year ashore and his nineteenth year of commissioned service Gish again thinks of sea duty. By this time he has developed, over the tables of the Department cafeteria, into a selection-conscious dopester and his copy of the Register is well-thumbed. So he decides to consult “Desk 2” as to the professional aspects of his next duty. He gets a sympathetic reception and a careful analysis of his previous career. It immediately appears that he has had no head of department duty in heavy ships and it is pointed out that this is desirable to a well-rounded record. As he has recently had command duty he is advised against repeating it now. The detailer also tells him that he might well be used as exec of an auxiliary which is also a logical preparation for the rank of commander. With this information Gish goes to work on his card. In his own mind he feels that, after a China cruise, duty in the Fleet is essential, so he makes no mention of auxiliaries. His card simply indicates that he wants duty as (1) Navigator, (2) Gunnery Officer, (3) First Lieutenant of a (1) BB, (2) CA, (3) CL of the U. S. Fleet. Under “Remarks” he emphasizes that he doesn’t want another tour as Chief Engineer.
“Desk 2” notes from the back of his card that his last sea cruise was in foreign waters and accordingly eliminates him from the auxiliary slate. In this Gish is fortunate, for it is not always possible to be so considerate. As a result of this and of his personal interview he gets almost exactly what he wants—navigator of a heavy cruiser. Dopester Gish now consults the Directory to ascertain the skippers of the cruiser force and makes use of his proximity to suggest what ship he shall be assigned to, based on the fact that he knows Captain “So and So” is a good marker. This makes no hit with the detail officer, for it is obvious that no consideration can be given to such selfish motives. Besides, there are other important factors governing the choice of ship—relative seniority, location, time of relief. Gish feels the chill and fades out of the picture, hoping that his brashness won’t operate to change his assignment. It won’t, and in due course he receives his orders.
It is at this stage in their careers that the specialists are to a great extent released from pursuing their specialties at sea. This is for the twofold reason that there are fewer seagoing billets for them and it is felt they should be given a chance to prove themselves in minor commands and as heads of deck departments, in preparation for higher command.
As Lieutenant Commander Gish steers his cruiser well clear of rocks and shoals he finds his Captain not unappreciative of his services and his record prospers. His second year at sea, however, is a critical one, for he must again run the gauntlet of selection. A uniformly high record of service, plus a clean nose, again brings results, and out from the dreaded Alnav leaps Gish’s name with the joyful news that he has made the promotion list. Scarcely has he returned to normalcy when he receives a letter from BuNav informing him that, now that he has been selected and as his desirable sea billet is needed for someone else, it has been decided to bring him ashore at the end of two years and what does he want? He expected no such break when he made out his card the previous August and has even forgotten how he filled it in. So he goes into a huddle with the better half and comes out with a reply stating that he would very much like duty in Washington again. But he is promptly informed that he is a “repeater” and is not eligible to return to Washington on successive shore duties. Gish has heard rumors of this ruling but has also known exceptions to it, so decided to take a chance. What he didn’t know was that the exceptions were very special cases, and that “repeaters” were ordered only when the bureau chief desiring their services was willing to certify to the Secretary that no other available officer could fill the need. “Desk 2” also informs Gish that the shore slate is now well advanced and very little choice of duty is left. He encloses a list of several vacancies, any one of which Gish can have if he works fast. Gish decides he doesn’t care for any of the navy yard jobs, but that the Training Station at Norfolk doesn’t sound half bad. He is just too late—a classmate with an air-mail stamp snaps it up ahead of him. He soon hears from “Desk 2” to this effect, with the additional information that, inasmuch as he is not averse to duty at Norfolk, he has been slated for the Norfolk Yard. Gish submits without further fuss, for he is beginning to learn that the more senior one gets the less choice of jobs he has.
Gish finds navy yard duty not as bad as expected. Indeed, it has many things in its favor, not the least of which is his occupancy of government quarters for the first time. Soon after getting settled he makes his number, takes his bobtailed exams and is sworn in as a Commander. In his second year ashore he gives serious thought to requesting that long-deferred course at the War College for his third year, but ultimately decides against it, based on the fact that, inasmuch as the senior course for which he is now eligible is designed as preparation for high command, it might well be postponed until he reaches the next grade. And besides, Junior has made his high school football team and it would be a shame to break into his career.
During his third year ashore Commander Gish thinks long and deeply about his next cruise. For he knows that it will be his only cruise in grade and hence is vital to the future. Scuttlebutt rumor is rife that a cruise as executive of a heavy ship is essential for selection to captain, and in spite of SecNav pronouncements to the contrary he retains the idea that such duty will give him an edge. Knowing his seniority will not entitle him to a battleship his card indicates first choice as “Exec of CA” and second choice “Exec of CL.” As third choice he reverts to his old love and requests a destroyer division.
These requests cause no flurry in the Detail Section, for the great majority of commanders’ cards are nearly identical; it is only the exceptional one, requesting some out-of-the-ordinary duty, which receives special attention. For “Desk 2” has, during the summer, made a careful estimate of commander vacancies at sea the following June and against these has listed the commanders due to go to sea. With these two factors the “duty-bands” for commanders are worked out, based first on the needs of the service and secondly on the theory of fairness to all from the selection angle. Only when the card request can be aligned with the duty-bands can it be given favorable consideration. Duty-bands are, of course, subject to revision as the year progresses, due to unusual demands for staff officers, an unexpected number of retirements, and so on. But such change is usually slight.
Gish was much too sanguine—the prospective executive officer vacancies are insufficient to stretch to his class. As the duty-band for destroyer divisions is approximately coincident with that for execs, that, too, is out. All that remains is a choice between a destroyer leader and an auxiliary, and Gish is tentatively written down for the latter. As the commander’s slate is subject to change as the picture develops and as selection boards publish their findings, he is not yet informed. Becoming somewhat anxious he drops in on his way to the Army-Navy game and the detailer unhesitatingly gives him the whole picture as it then appears. Gish, disappointed, argues his case, but is soon convinced that to make an exception of him would be manifestly unfair. So he takes a new tack and pleads for combatant rather than auxiliary duty, urging that it is essential on his only cruise in grade. “Desk 2” sympathetically makes note of his arguments but is able to do nothing at this time.
Gish’s low state of mind is somewhat alleviated by a navy victory, but this soon wears off. When the results of the Big Board are published in December he makes a quick analysis to see how the auxiliary skippers fared. He finds they did exceedingly well, and this gives him another mental fillip. In February, soon after the announcement of coming changes in high commands afloat, the detail officer informs him that, due to requests for certain officers to serve on staffs, he has fleeted up the list and it is now possible to assign him to command a DL. This news, following an acute mental depression, is just what the doctor ordered.
In March surprise orders arrive. The detailer’s hand has been unexpectedly forced; the prospective captain of a new DL has been hospitalized and a relief is urgent. As Commander Gish has a capable understudy in his job he is immediately available, hence he receives orders for detachment within ten days. Such orders are exceptional but sometimes necessary.
Aside from the inconvenience of a hurried getaway Gish, his navy philosophy being now well developed, is undisturbed. He revels in this ultimate development in his love of destroyers. Fitting-out duty, too, is new and interesting. Unexpected setbacks in buildings are disappointing, but finally, in August, he has the thrill of breaking the ensign and setting the watch. Trials and shakedown cruise occupy the remainder of the calendar year and in the spring he joins the Fleet.
The previous fall Gish noted the published orders of a classmate to be exec of a CL. This dismays him slightly and BuNav comes in for some harsh thoughts regarding its duty-bands. Gish didn’t know that a most unexpected vacancy had arisen and that, rather than juggle personnel already at sea during the gunnery season, it was necessary to use the only officer then available, regardless of seniority.
Gish loves his ship with the pride of ownership but, thinking of selection, he still thinks he should have that executive billet before he comes ashore, so he now sorrowfully submits an official request for it. He quickly gets his answer. In view of the policy of permanency, and since he has just joined the Fleet—not a chance. Gish isn’t too unhappy about it, for he knows that his request will go in his Selection Board Jacket and that the “Nine Old Men” will note that he has at least asked for executive duty. Perhaps Gish purposely delayed his request until spring to lessen its chance of approval—who knows?
In August Gish again turns to on his card, for his sea cruises are now short ones. He still prefers the east coast and, as west coast shore billets are in great demand, he can be fairly sure of getting it. He realizes that for officers of his seniority assignments are by jobs rather than by localities, so he consults the Register to see who is due for sea next June. It appears that at least two senior commanders will be needed at the Academy; nice duty, and it has been years since he served there. Further investigation reveals that the Exec of the Norfolk Training Station is due for relief; Mrs. Gish likes Norfolk and the quarters are most desirable. There are, of course, a number of vacancies in the Department, but unfortunately Washington still leads the nation in high cost of living and, plans for entering Junior in the Naval Academy having fallen through by reason of astigmatized eyes, it will be necessary to see him through college. Little Mary, too, is now a sub-deb, and Washington debuts come high. All in all, despite the desirability of the duty, to request it would be poor economics. Finally, due to selection lurking just around the corner, the professional angle takes charge. So down it goes on the card: “(1) Naval War College; (2) U.S.N.A.; (3) Exec. Training Station, Norfolk; (4) Any east coast duty.”
“Desk 2,” always somewhat delayed in its sea slate due to aforementioned considerations, gets to work early on its senior shore slate. Considering the case of Commander Gish it notes that his sea cruise didn’t start until his ship was commissioned in August. If selected, he will probably make his number before again going to sea—and there is a legislative requirement that an officer have two full years at sea in present grade before promotion. Hence, in fairness to Gish, he should not be detached before August, a point which Gish himself had completely overlooked. This rules out the War College and the Norfolk job, which is due for relief in June. But it will work in well with duty at the Academy, where he might be spared until late September, so “U.S.N.A.” is tentatively written in opposite his name. Soon thereafter the personnel representative of a certain bureau, intent on making his recommendations early and getting the jump on the field, informs “Desk 2” that his Chief of Bureau desires the services of Commander Gish, who is first choice to relieve Captain Noble of his important duties. Informed that Gish can’t be made available until September (allowing for a bit of leave en route), it appears that this is no handicap; arrangements can be made to handle the work until Gish arrives. So Gish is put down for this new assignment and eventually the detailer finds a spare moment in which to inform him of it. Gish, though secretly flattered at being “asked for,” still feels that the state of the exchequer dictates otherwise and indites a mild protest. But it is unavailing. Not only has evidence accumulated that Gish is well fitted for the job but there is, due to operation of the “repeater rule,” a paucity of other eligibles. Gish accepts the inevitable with good grace but at the same time makes mental note that “R.H.I.P.” is certainly nonexistent when it comes to assignment to duty.
As usual, conditions are not as bad as anticipated. Gish finds that his family can exist, modestly, without going in the red. Junior matriculates at a near-by state university, excellent but inexpensive. And little Mary, between State and Naval Academy hops, has the time of her life. Before he knows it he is on his second year ashore—a vital year for Gish, for in December he comes up before the Big Board. Again a consistently excellent record and a service reputation for steadiness and reliability, if not for outright brilliance, turn the trick, although he is well down the list and won’t make his number for some time. This puts new ideas into his temporarily enlarged cranium—why not work the War College into this shore cruise? After all, the last year ashore is the ideal time for the course, and it would obviate the necessity of financing a Washington debut. So he ambles around to see his old friend, Commander DeTael, who is now busily juggling slates at “Desk 2.” DeTael informs him that, being on the promotion list for captain, his future now lies in the hands of “Desk 1,” and conducts him into the Director’s office for an introduction. The Director is both receptive and encouraging, but advises him to talk it over with his Chief. For, after all, he has been assigned to a normal 3-year billet, and good faith demands that he not be removed without his bureau’s approval. Gish gets the idea and lays the necessary groundwork. The Register divulges the names of a number of officers due shore next June and from personal knowledge he selects those few whom he considers best qualified for his job. With this list in hand he approaches his Chief and tells him of his burning desire for education, but eases the shock by suggesting a number of appropriate reliefs. The Chief’s eye lights up at the mention of a former shipmate and he tells Gish that he will reluctantly approve his detachment only in case this officer can be provided in his stead. Gish, knowing the advantages accruing to the early bird, hastens to the Detail Section, stopping en route only to inform his bureau personnel officer of his intentions. The Director thinks the setup very satisfactory except for one item, namely, does the former shipmate want this duty. Remembering his own recent case, Gish is surprised that this enters into it until it is explained that, inasmuch as the relief is not essential but is made solely to accommodate Gish, it must certainly be considered. Mollified, Gish offers to write to his prospective relief himself. The turnover being easily arranged Gish is now slated for the War College.
In June Commander Gish turns over his desk and departs for Newport. Hardly has he renewed acquaintance with the principles of warfare than he must make out his card for sea duty the following year. Frankly, Gish is a bit skeptical as to its value at this stage of his career, but habit is strong, so he fills it out as conscientiously as before. He realizes that he is now in a most desirable situation for he will have two sea cruises in the captain’s grade. Custom, always strong but not always correct, is to strive for a battleship command, but he knows he is not eligible for this. However, it appears advisable to clinch it on his second cruise by not asking for any combatant ship command at this time. So the card indicates but two choices: “(1) Command Repair Ship; (2) Command DL Division.” After the card is in the mail he gives the matter little thought, for he realizes what a small part his wishes will play in the matter; it depends entirely on what few jobs are open to a junior captain at the time he is available. At any rate his mind is fully occupied with keeping up with a full schedule of work and at the same time preparing for his promotion exams. But all is well, and the tailor is soon busy converting his uniforms.
Perhaps Captain Gish underestimated the consideration that would be given his card, for again careful note of its contents is made by the Director and his name is even entered on an early slate to command a repair ship, his first choice. But Gish’s first intimation of his next assignment comes on receipt of a letter from a former skipper, now commanding an important unit of the Fleet. Would Gish consider coming to his staff? If so, he will request his services. This gives Gish food for thought. In a long career he has never yet donned aiguillettes; indeed he has frequently cast aspersions on such necessary evils as staff officers. But he knows that a certain amount of such duty is broadening and professionally advantageous. And now, immediately following his War College course, is the ideal time for it. He is conscious, too, of the honor of being asked and dislikes to let the admiral down. He knows that his forte is command and his natural inclination is in that direction, but in the end his loyalty conquers and he replies that duty with the admiral would please him greatly. The necessary arrangements being easily made, he eventually again finds himself en route to California.
Had Captain Gish been given a command billet he probably would have been ordered ashore at the end of about 18 months but, due to the undesirability of shifting staffs in the middle of the year, he gets a full 2-year sea cruise. Of course, it is also undesirable to change command billets so frequently and this is fully recognized by BuNav. But due to the scarcity of commands and the desirability of each captain having at least one cruise in a heavy combatant ship there is usually no alternative.
Regarding his next shore duty Gish finds that he has very little choice. He also finds that he is not nearly so choosey as he was in his youth. Parental considerations have ceased to exist, Junior has graduated from State and is now on his own, and little Mary is a charming young lady whose present interest lies chiefly in sea duty—in the ensigns of the Fleet. So the card is rather sketchily filled in: “(1) Chesapeake Bay Area (now a matter of habit); (2) East coast; (3) West coast.” This is augmented by a personal letter to the Director asking what he has to offer and indicating that he really prefers Washington duty. The Director informs him that Washington is out of the question for he is again considered to be a “repeater,” his last year ashore at Newport notwithstanding. There are, however, other unslated vacancies coming due at about the right time. Gish is mulling these over without any great enthusiasm when another missive from the Director arrives, regretfully informing him that, due to new developments, a change in plan is necessary. An unexpected retirement will create a vacancy at Pearl Harbor and Gish, unfortunately, is the sole eligible captain who has not already had shore duty beyond the seas. Gish, well knowing by this time the problems of the Detail Section, accepts the situation philosophically.
Captain and Mrs. Gish find there is no age limit for enjoyment of the Paradise of the Pacific and Gish himself derives satisfaction from his duties as Captain of the Yard. To little Mary the duty is a godsend, for the island overflows with bachelor aviators and submariners, not to mention shavetails. In fact, their spacious home in the yard is soon the scene of an attractive wedding, and little Mary also fades out of the picture as a factor affecting detail.
The second year ashore is under way when Captain Gish, knowing he will soon come up for selection for rear admiral, again writes the Director and, calling attention to his lack of command duty in grade, requests to be sent to sea early. The Director has not only anticipated this but has already tentatively slated him. Gish’s letter clinches the matter and he is told that he will command a battleship the following autumn. He is delighted and, knowing his relief will report early in the summer, looks forward to enough leave to permit him to visit Junior in the east. But no such luck; at the last minute the Director is forced to fleet up his battleship slate and Gish receives dispatch orders to command a different ship than expected, with practically no delay in reporting.
But Captain Gish is undismayed. He knows that there is many a slip ’twixt the slate and the ship, and that such slips are unavoidable. Soon he decides that the slip is entirely in his favor for there is, of course, no other ship quite so fine as his, and no more loyal crew. He is proud of his command—and of himself.
During his second year at sea, now a veteran of 34 years commissioned service, he again faces the ordeal of the “Nine Old Men.” Gish is naturally hopeful, though he doesn’t fool himself about his chances. He knows his record is excellent and he has no qualms as to his service reputation. But he also knows that only a very few of those eligible can be selected and that, previous boards having already eliminated the poorer material, all candidates have splendid records. Checking over the list for the umpty-umpth time he is again sure there are enough others of more brilliance or with more concrete achievements to their credit to fill the quota. But ambition is rampant and he refuses to abandon hope of attaining that ultimate goal of all good officers.
But alas and alack! Our hero is passed over!
There is muttering among his juniors and his close friends—“Good old Gish—it’s a dirty shame—they don’t come any better!” But Gish himself doesn’t mutter; he knows too much about it. He knows that those fortunate ones who were selected are his peers, and that they will make most capable admirals. The blow to his ambition is a cruel one but it remains hidden in his heart, and he has no fault to find.
Captain Gish’s remaining time at sea will be brief, for BuNav will now be needing his vacancy to give some younger captain his chance. Gish knows that this is only fair—and good luck to his relief! He enters into a brief correspondence with the Director whom he apprises of his decision to settle in California. With this knowledge the Director is able to give him for his last active duty the choice assignment of Chief of Staff, 12th Naval District. Toward completion of his 35th year of commissioned service Captain Gish receives his last orders—to home and await retirement. Time has eased the pain of nonselection and he, proud of a long record of creditable and loyal service to his country, is content to take a well-deserved rest. We will leave our hero basking in the sunshine and again taking up his pen to write “Desk 3” about the next duty of his son-in-law, little Mary’s husband. The bonds of habit are strong!
Had Captain Gish been selected his future would have been outside the scope of this article. From then on his sea and shore assignments would be the joint concern of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Navy and, in many cases, of the supreme Commander in Chief, the President.
Random Notes
In tracing the career of our friend Gish an attempt has been made so to order his various requests and resulting assignments as to illustrate the numerous considerations affecting his detail. It has also been necessary to assume that current Bureau policies and present selection laws remained in effect throughout his period of service. Such, of course, can never be the case. On the whole, however, it will be seen that Gish, especially while in the lower grades, got pretty much what he wanted, and I am convinced this is true in the great majority of real cases. Certain features regarding detail either could not well be worked into Gish’s service or require further elucidation, and it is these with which I will now deal.
Bureau policy.—How frequently we have heard the term “Bureau policy” used derisively! How many times we have likened “Bureau policy” to a fickle woman, bestowing her favors hither and yon with little reason and less constancy! Officers are told that it is against “Bureau policy” to issue them certain desired orders, and occasionally the same officers later see orders to others in direct contradiction to the stated policy. Naturally enough, they gripe about it. But they wouldn’t if they knew all the circumstances. In the Detail Section one “emergency” is followed on its heels by another; hospitalizations, courts- martial, the needs of new construction, and other unending, unexpected demands for officer services here and there must be met immediately. In such cases policy must, if necessary, go by the board; the needs of the service take precedence. Bureau policies” are dictated by the requirements of the Navy and, before being placed in effect, are long thought over and much discussed, and must finally be approved by the Chief of Bureau. If “Bureau policies” were changeless they would be well understood and accepted by all, but unfortunately such an ideal situation can never exist. Policies are affected by legislation, by officer supply and demand, and by numerous lesser factors. When new conditions arise an earnest attempt is made to fit them to the old policies, but if this is impossible a change of policy is unavoidable.
Effect of selection.—The effect of selection laws on the detail of officers is tremendous and introduces many obstacles. In the first place every effort must be exerted to see that, as far as duties are concerned, every officer has an equal chance to be selected. When an officer is first passed over a further effort, if the officer desires it, is made to give him a good combatant billet to enhance his chance of being picked up. If he is ashore and feels that his chance would be bettered by sea duty he is often sent to sea early. After the officer has again been passed and it becomes evident that his chance of ever making the grade is slim such consideration cannot, of course, continue. The matter of reversed seniority as caused by selection is a most difficult one and is yearly becoming more so. It is “Desk 2’s” most harassing problem and is responsible for wearing out more erasers than any other factor. In any assignment of a junior lieutenant commander, for instance, the roster must be closely examined to insure that he is not directly over an officer once senior to him. This is also a factor of some weight in the annual turnover of personnel. With the number of pass-overs increasing yearly it may readily be appreciated that this problem is one which cannot be satisfactorily solved in the not distant future.
Political influence.—This is a weapon which is highly regarded by some but which in fact has an extremely dull edge. It may be safely said that, at least during the past few years, political influence has in no case been the determining factor in the detail of any officer below flag rank. And I exclude the admirals not because politics enters into their detail to any extent but because they are beyond the ken of the Detail Section. Of course, many officers have been given assignments in accordance with the wishes of their congressional protagonists, but if they are it is because it is also to the best interests of the service. It is remarkable that the great majority of letters from congressmen are in behalf of relatively junior officers. The inference is clear that the older officers realize that their cases receive all possible consideration from BuNav itself and that pressure from “The Hill” is of doubtful assistance. In many of the requests regarding junior officers it is apparent that they originated with a doting parent who is sure a letter to Senator Sorghum will work wonders. Not infrequently the young officer requests something entirely different. Senator Sorghum is usually a reasonable cuss and, being given an unbiased reply as to why it is impracticable to comply with his request, passes this information on to his constituent with suitable words of regret. Only in the rare case will he push the matter.
Senior officer influence.—This is closely akin to political influence and is much more widely used. Almost every officer has some old friend or shipmate on duty in the Department and it seems but logical to ask him a favor, which may vary from simply finding out what he is slated for to actually putting on the pressure for a desired assignment. The more senior the potential lobbyist the better, for it is sometimes a bit difficult for a comparatively junior detailer to refuse the requests of the top-rankers. Usually, however, they fully understand the dilemmas of the detail officer and readily accept and pass on to their correspondent any reasonable explanation. It is seldom that an officer profits by this oblique method of approach.
Bureau personnel officers.—Each Chief of Bureau nominates an officer to handle personnel matters pertaining to his bureau, and to assist BuNav in this respect. In the case of BuAero and the staff bureaus these officers actually prepare the slates, subject to the approval of BuNav. The representatives of other bureaus and offices (Opnav, Engineering, Ordnance, Communications, JAG’s Office) collaborate with BuNav in the assignment of officers to shore duty in billets under their cognizance, and in the assignment of specialists to sea duty. These bureau representatives are invaluable in an advisory capacity, but in the end it is BuNav which must co-ordinate the overlapping needs of the various bureaus and which is responsible for the final decision.
Effiect of duties on selection.—My own impression, and this has been confirmed by discussion with senior officers who have been on selection boards or who have analyzed the results of selection, is that, contrary to popular belief, an officer’s assignments play but little part in whether or not he is selected. I am convinced that a really superior officer, of good health and character, will always be selected regardless of the types of duty he has had. A high performance of duty and a record of results achieved, even in an inferior billet, seem to be the criterion. BuNav, however, although subscribing to this view almost to a man, does not let it affect its details. Rather, it is considered that each officer should, as regards duty assignments, be given equal opportunity in order that he himself may be satisfied he has not been adversely affected on this score.
Conclusion
The foregoing is an attempt to explain the whys and wherefors of an officer’s assignment, and to encourage in him the belief that the Detail Section stands ready to hear his case and to give him all possible help in getting the billet he wants. If he will lay his cards on the table the detail officer will do likewise, and in case he loses he may read the reason in the cards.