[leadpenny]

In my next life I'm going to join the Navy. Twenty-one years in the Army was enough and there is something about the Navy customs and traditions that intrigues me. "Grass is Greener" maybe.

About 15 years ago, when my boys were young, we were vacationing in Michigan and we stopped in Muskegon. On permanent display was a WWII submarine managed by the Coast Guard Auxillary. They charged a small fee for tours. About 12 people were being led through the compartments by a young High School ROTC type. It seemed she knew the basic but that was about it. In the group was a fellow and his wife from the Chicago area. As I learned later, it was the first time he had been on a sub since he had served on the same type of sub in WWII. He took over the tour. It was great. Based on all of the cross-training he told us about, he seemed to know everything about the craft. He even knew how many had been built and how many were sunk. My boys still talk about that day.

[blam]

" Based on all of the cross-training he told us about, he seemed to know everything about the craft."

That's part of sub training. Each member is an expert in his own field and also competent to perform emergency duties in any other area of the sub. This training in all areas has saved subs when the 'expert' was trapped out of his primary area...others could perform emergency duties.