Chapter 2ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION, AND TRAINING
OPERATIONAL READINESS
INSPECTION
Battle Problems
The operational readiness inspection is con-
ducted to ensure that the ship is ready and able
to perform the operations which might be required
of it in time of war.
This inspection consists of the conduct of a
battle problem and of other operational exercises.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on AA and sur-
face gunnery, damage control, engineering casu-
alty control, and other appropriate exercises.
Various drills are held and observed, and the ship
is operated at full power for a brief period of time.
In this discussion we will consider the battle
problem from the viewpoint of the observer, and
present some general information on the
requirements and duties of a member of the
engineering department observing party. The
knowledge of the viewpoint and duties of an
observer should help you prepare yourself and
your personnel for a battle problem and other
appropriate exercises.
The overall criteria of performance include:
1. Can the ship as a whole carry out her opera-
tional functions?
P R E P A R A T I O N O F A B A T T L E
PROBLEM.The degree of perfection achieved
in any battle problem is reflected in the skills and
applications of those who prepare it. A great deal
depends upon the experience of officers and chief
petty officers.
2. Is the ships company well trained, well in-
structed, competent, and skillful in all phases of
the evolutions?
3. Is the ships company stationed in accord-
ance with the ships Battle Bill, and does the Battle
Bill meet wartime requirements?
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Observing Party
The primary purpose of a shipboard battle
problem is to provide a medium for testing and
evaluating the ability of all divisions of the
engineering department to function together as
a team in simulated combat operations.
Battle problems are the most profitable and
significant of all peacetime training experience,
since they demonstrate a departments readiness
for combat. The degree of realism of this test
determines their value: the more nearly it approx-
imates actual battle conditions, the more valuable
it is.
The personnel and organization of the opera-
tional readiness observing party are similar to
those of the administrative inspection party.
However, more personnel are usually required for
the operational readiness observing party. These
additional personnel are very often chiefs and first
class petty officers.
Another element in the conduct of a battle
problem which significantly increases the value
of these tests to the ships company is the element
of surprise.
CONDUCT OF A BATTLE PROBLEM.
Before a battle problem is to be conducted, the
ship is furnished specific information such as that
listed below:
The observing party members are briefed in
advance of the scheduled exercises and about the
drills that are to be conducted. They must have
sufficient training and experience so that they can
properly evaluate the exercises and drills that are
to be held. Each observer is usually assigned to
a specific station, and should be well qualified in
the procedure of conducting drills and exercises
for that station. That each observer be familiar
with the type of ship to be inspected is also highly
desirable.
1. Authority for conducting the inspection.
2. Time of boarding of the inspecting party.
3. Time the ship is to get underway.
4. Time for setting the first material readiness
condition.
5. Time for conducting the inspection to zero
problem time conditions.
6. Zero problem time.
7. End of problem time.
8. Time of critique.
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