I’ll be honest-I am wondering the same thing, and I think it is going to come down to inadequate training. I give them credit for saving the ship, but even if people are working like hell to isolate the damage, etc. they can’t take one single Cryptologic Technician’s Mate (or whatever they call them now) and say “You...get these comms back online”.
They have to train for that. It is a warship, I don’t care how PC, transgendered, or whatever is it...they just HAVE to train for that. If they don’t...is isn’t a warship, it is a yacht.
I think it is either training, poor leadership (specifically in this crisis) or both.
I am going to blow a gasket if it turns out to be inadequate training. I swear I will.
I am beginning to think we need to start sending Mad Dog Mattis copies of these FR postings just to let him know there are people closely watching his military and checking whether Obama ‘fundamentally transformed’ them into something we find unacceptable.
Latest from the Wall Street Journal. WSJ says the Crystal blared its horn in addition to the lights.
“The captain of a cargo ship that hit a U.S. destroyer near Japan earlier this month has told investigators that the ship sent emergency warnings as the American vessel suddenly cut across its path, according to a person with direct knowledge of the testimony.
The ACX Crystal blared its horn and flashed its lights as the USS Fitzgerald crossed in front of it from the left around 1:30 a.m. on June 17 south of Tokyo, the captain said,...”
I don’t think they could spare one single E-6 or above, and I would not expect an E-4 Radioman to know how to rig the emergency communications. Until they stop taking on water, check every remaining compartment for undetected damage, and rescue anyone who might still be alive, calling for help from 80 miles away is not a priority.
You have a Radio/Crypto Chief Petty Officer who can (a) lead another damage control team, or (b) set up a radio. Which do you assign him to?