On Combat

Here are 10 propositions on the nature of war at sea. You may fire back when ready!

• Sailors fight from their home and the fate of all sailors is tied to the fate of the ship

• Individual roles in battle are not much different from roles in peacetime

• Compartmentalization on board ship affects perceptions of battle, danger, stress, uncertainty

• Crew seldom sees the enemy, or is aware of his proximity

• Majority of crew not likely to sense imminent danger

• Dependence on sensors to detect the enemy mandates intimate knowledge of technological limitaions and capabilities

• The captain fights the ship and there’s not much room for individual initiative in battle

• Nobody runs away unless the captain runs away—everybody else pretty much has to stay on the job due to compartmentalization of the ship

• Morale/Esprit may yield marginal improvements in combat effectiveness if alertness/responsiveness is heightened

• Initiative/courage/innovation is needed in great measure when fighting to save the ship