It appears that the new LPO in my division has some tendencies that I remember quite a bit from USS Last Ship. Though I’ve been in a school for a few weeks, I really haven’t had much exposure to the fairly new IT1, but from what I hear throughout the division is an unanimous vote that no one likes the LPO. To go a bit further, the ship is getting the same feeling as the ITs and I am certainly not happy with this. Here are a few examples of some of the things that have gone on in the division since I’ve been out.
Scenario 1: Two of the ITSNs are giving training to the fresh new seaman who just arrived a few days ago. Obviously they want him up to speed on what things he will need to know to be better at his job because like all motivated seamen, they just don’t want to sit to the side and play the “I don’t know” card. IT1 strolls down and sees what is going on, but still asks what they were doing. The seamen explain that they are showing the new IT how to properly terminate an ethernet cable. Well, the IT1 didn’t like this because the new IT needed to attend the safety PO meeting. From my understanding, safety PO is the job of an E-5 and usually one who has been at the command a while, not a 3 day old ITSN who has barely gotten his feet wet. Well, the seamen can’t do anything but listen to what the IT1 says, so they ask if the IT1 can do the cable so that the seamen can carry on doing other tasks for the day. Unfortunately, the IT1 didn’t have her wire manual available and couldn’t do it. Maybe it was left in her paint coveralls?
Scenario 2: A shipmate from another division was having issues with his email and was unable to open up his outlook. He dropped by the ADP office, being the closer location than the server room, and asked one of the ITs to see if they could assist. The IT1 wasn’t happy about that because the ADP office isn’t the proper location for assistance with trouble calls. It just so happened, though, that one of the leading ADP ITs was in the space and offered to assist with the issue. The IT1 rejected that offer and repeated that all trouble calls must be dealt with in the server room then proceeded to kick the person out of the space. I know where I won’t be if I don’t want to deal with trouble calls.
Scenario 3: Apparently too many people are viewing non-DoD related websites. I’ve definitely had my fair share of viewing non-DoD websites. Well, the IT1 doesn’t like this and tasks the ITs with blocking just about every non-.mil website the world has to offer. Okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but sites such as yahoo, msn were blocked. Obviously, websites such as social networking and personal email sites must be blocked due to lack of security, but search engines and other websites that assist in bill pay? Well, her understanding that these are DoD computers for DoD use only. From where she came, which was shore duty, this is the norm. Unfortunately, when it comes to underway time and this is still enforced, I really hope she doesn’t have a car or house payment because it’s going to do a lot of good to not being able to access those bill paying websites.
From everything I’ve heard with the new LPO, I’ve been missing out on a lot. A lot of people are taking a disliking to her and I feel very sorry because when it comes time for us to back her up, I see very little eagerness from the ITs to help out. It’s already getting to a point where the ITs know that it won’t be until after 1600 that they will leave for the day. What I remember about that from the last ship was nothing got done until the last half of the day because we all knew when we were leaving and there was no real change in that. It’s starting to happen here and I don’t want this to happen. When I return from my school, I really hope she is understanding when I talk to her about this because I won’t be here for too much longer and when I come back, I don’t know what the shop will be like. I have my ideas and they revert back to Japan and that is something I really don’t want to see.
I wish for the best for this shack because if they collaspe from the inside out the entire ship will loose.
wooot you got me bloggin…ok so im not really going to start haha//sounds like you are screwed….its spreading haha…and no i will not come and be your LPO, im trying to move up
It’s the same wherever you go I guess.
Oh yeah, I can definitely relate to quite a bit of this.
I’m a CS2 on a DDG somewhere in the Pacific N.W. with
DESRON 21. Very nice blog (BTW) I wish I had the time to
start one of these.
Anyway, yup, I’ve dealt with a brand new LPO who’s
on a power drunk-on and overcompensating in their new
billet as the LPO. Hopefully your LPO will learn how to trust
and communicate with you and all your E1s-E3s and 3rds.
What she needs to do is allow you to do your job. If something
gets dicked up that your division is responsible for then it should
be only be your ass that gets chewed. She doesn’t need to micro
manage both you and your crew. That’s a waste of time and energy.
Yeah, I’ve dealt with the same BS. When I tell my LPO that I have
everything under control, then that should be the end of it. I don’t
need him looking over the shoulder of one of my E3s who’s already
demonstrated how to use a grittle flat top and not burn & dry out
the BBQ chops or how to boil/sautee crab legs in a 30gallon stainless
cauldron. If something fucks up in my galley, then come to me as you
plan my elaborate death. But leave my crew alone. Unless I come to
my LPO and indicate that its time for a sitdown session with one of
my E3s who’s just not cutting it, just leave it alone. It all boils down
to communication and a tit-bit of trust.
Your first scenario is horseshit. Yeah you’re right, she should not have
been sharp shooting you in front of brand new guys fresh out of A&C
schools. The “I dunno card” is nothing more than a pain in your ass.
Yup, been there done that. A big part of your job is to teach the
younglings how to do their job correctly and efficiently. Why else are
you wearing 2ndclass? I’ve walked up to my CS3s giving a class on
sanitation or even how to put out a grease fire. I don’t say a word.
I just listen to what is being said as I see the confused looks on the
newby’s faces. But I don’t interfere. That way I can relate to my LPO
that everything is fine. If there’s a problem, I’ll let ya know.
IT2 Drik, that is what your IT1 LPO needs to learn. She is not able to
trust the 2nd classes in your division. I’ve read quite a bit of your blog
here. It’s obvious you know what the fuck is up. You’re gonna have to
tell her to give you some breathing space so your crew isn’t flipping the
“I dunno card,” half the time.
Your 2nd scenario, It’s a matter of customer service. She needs to learn to talk to people like they are respectable sailors, and not treat them like they are recruits 1 day out of P week. My personal problems are not your fucking problems. Enuff said.
Scenario #3, so what? As long as I’m not intentionally looking up a site which contains 20 year old lesbian cheerleaders/strippers, there should be no problemo. One of our Frigates had this problem while back. Some of the younglings didn’t realize that “Girl on girl action sites” can be tracked through the firewall and your personal IP will be pinged and you will be found out and then you’ll subsequently answer for it at mast.
My point is that, alot of us do need non-DOD sites to pay bills. Cell phone, car loans, house payments, what ever. Our XO has specifically instructed the ITs to monitor what sites are being used. But he knows most of us have monthly bills. We’ve been given a wide amount of latitude regarding internet use. Just don’t look up anything that might be subversive to the DOD and NO PORN. If you do, you’ll pay for it dearly.
That includes opening any E-mail you receive inwhich you’re unsure of. In other words, if your cousin Harry, sends you a pic of Cindy Crawford naked, you don’t open it. The ITs on my ship have a pretty easy life for the most part. Something tells me your LPO wouldn’t last long here.
Drik, I would suggest talking to your LPO and let her know the problems she is inadvertently causing. If she can’t deal with it, then go to your Chief. I’ve been there done that. I just hope it all works out for you as well.
CS2 Ryan
Ya put a smile in my face.
This is an excellent review.
http://www.thedeckplates.com – cool!!!!
All the best for your future.
Hi, good post. I have been woondering about this issue,so thanks for posting. I’ll definitely be coming back to your site.
I miss you. Come back home.
Females…’nuff said. Good luck!