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Well, dream on, partner.

I observed the "cover your six" mentality in action in the Naval Service for over 20 years -- and was constantly dumbfounded by its pervasiveness.

When I took my first command -- in the mid 60's -- I shut the squadron down; told the officers that I was turning night into day; and that they would come to work at 1800 -- and ALL our flying would be at night until further notice.

The Command had operated as a country club for the full duration of the former skipper's tenure. The wives raised holy hell, etc. And my comment to them was: "It is my job to try to save your husband's life flying off a carrier. And, by my calculations, I have a good deal of work to do in that regard."

Even ComNavAirLant called me in to question my judgment. I told him to either relieve me or get off my back. And, that the squadron was unsafe.

We made the deployment; Won the Navy "E"; and had an accident-free deployment in the Norwegian Sea (In the winter).

Point here is that even my CAG did not stand up for me -- but harped behind my back, when I fired the Maintenance Officer -- and assigned a more junior officer as the Department Head. (Our aircraft readiness soared following the shake-up!) One phone call, and I had the relieved officer transfered out...with an UNSAT fitness report!

Point here is that darned few of "the tigers" ever made it to 0-6 or beyond. The Navy was a death-trap to risk takers in those days -- and a player had to be right 110%, as the system was waiting for just one miscalculation.

Sadly, I suspect that the Navy has not really changed very much over the years. Risk-takers operate at their own peril!

Point