|
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Changes
in the way that the Navy operates, is manned, supported and trained are
being implemented. Though fleet strength has fallen by over 30% in the past
10 years the level of demands on the fleet remains undiminished. Therefore,
a variety of measures are being undertaken to make best use of the ships in
service and to streamline the command and HQ system. The chain of command
diagrams of recent years have now been overtaken by fundamental changes and
this is explained below.
Examples
of changes are everywhere, not least the fact that the system of Squadrons
of ships and submarines, each commanded by a Captain (F), (D) or (SM), has
gone. Previously, the Commanding Officer of an individual ship would know
that his Captain (F) was the person to whom he was responsible for the
operational performance of his ship as a fleet unit. The Squadron staff,
mostly based in Captain (F)’s ship, was there to advise the less
experienced specialists in individual ships. However, a shrinking but busy
fleet, deployed worldwide, has meant that individual ships rarely met up
with their Captain (F)’s ship. A more supportive and efficient
command/management system was needed and now it is being put in place.
Next,
there is the question of sea training and in the past ships went to Flag
Officer Sea Training (FOST) at Portland to be mercilessly chased for six
weeks before emerging hopefully with a 'Sat', not to return for perhaps two
years. That has all changed and FOST is now responsible for training at sea
on a continuing basis for all surface ships and submarines – 'from cradle
to grave'. These are examples of two of many changes.
|
