Royal Navy Instructor Officers

Letters

TWO STRIPES

"D. M."' in the August number, causes me to set down some thoughts that have been long brewing. Thoughts about THE LIEUTENANT and his loss of caste.

Time was when the lieutenant was the backbone of the Navy. He commanded destroyers and submarines; he led companies in landing; he ran the daily affairs of the Service with little supervision by his superiors and, how vital to his self-confidence, the sailor was content to look to him for guidance.

This was surely right and proper. To know that two stripes meant a capability for all these things gave stability to Service affairs; to both the flag officer and the ordinary seaman they indicated a trained and trusty officer, and each could therefore go about his business with this sure rallying point.

Alas, this is not so to-day. Two stripes are now worn to indicate years of service, degrees of civilian or professional experience, and even the age of the body within. In detail, what have we done?

We have put two stripes on the arms of schoolmasters who are yet but schoolmasters and before they have learnt that chalk is out of place on uniform.

We have filled the halls of Keyham with students as striped as the staff, and then have allowed them to overflow into ships, where their very numbers have added to the irritation of those who would disassociate tyros and two stripes.

We have let loose lieutenant doctors before they have realized that all four buttons are meant to do up and whose knowledge of naval affairs is so little that they believe that medicine can override discipline all the time.

We have-but surely these examples suffice. The results of such policies or expediencies ?-are worth studying.

This influx of ignoramuses at the lower end of the scale has led to some attempt to distinguish the genuine trained man at the upper end ; hence the quasi half-stripe and the temporary half to lieutenants in command.

Artificial promotions are bad enough in themselves, Heaven knows, but vastly more important is the feeling that the lieutenant rank is no longer worthy of many of its legitimate tasks, and that a more senior officer must be provided. More posts, more promotions, and hence our present much-overstriped Navy. In my younger day I recall that a commander was one of the gods ; his presence is now often ignored among so many.

At the other end of the scale this artificial lieutenancy has brought dissatisfaction and suspicion to the warrant officers. It might, in fact, be considered one of the major causes of such dissatisfaction to-day. The warrant officer looks at some " sprog " lieutenant who has just appeared and says "If he can have two stripes so should I"-seed number one.

Seed number two lies in the use of the Warrant Officer Branch as a shunting bay for failed candidates for two stripes. This is quite contrary to the fundamental point that the Warrant Officer Branch exists for quite a different purpose and should be recruited from quite different types. To make it a home for "under 40 per cent. lieutenants" was screaming for trouble. That trouble came.

The final aspect is that of the ship's company, which I have already mentioned. How can the sailor have confidence in all lieutenants when he finds that some of them know less of the ways of the sea than he, even to the extent of his having to give them some instruction? The schoolmaster who professes no interest in discipline and who, under the guise of resettlement, spreads the gospel of the brave new world "outside" ; the doctor who, in the smugness of his sick bay, says "Don't you worry about ships' routine, my man, you be here at 1630" ; the young engineer who asks a damnfool question of the stoker watchkeeper; the raw youngster on the bridge who is three jumps behind the yeoman-all these beings wear the same stripes as the captain of that submarine over there. And the answer, I maintain, is not to give the submarine captain another stripe but to prevent the sprogs wearing two until they are fully responsible naval officers.

There is, of course, some attempt at this-and it has improved since the end of the war-in that all these officers do a period as sub-lieutenant. But this period is very brief and depends; in the main, on the ability of the individual to pass his professional examinations.

Why not a probationary period of two years at sea, after professional training, and then advancement to lieutenant on ability as an officer. After which may be granted as much back dating and back pay as professional abilities admit, but, for goodness sake, let no one appear in public with two stripes until
(a) he can lead his men in all those affairs wherein they require leadership, and
(b) he can satisfy his superiors in those many tasks which are the legitimate duty of the backbone rank of the Navy.

Or am I just kicking against the pricks? Way back the midshipman was the Navy's handyman. Are we approaching the day when the commander will be ? God forbid !

TRELWEL
Source: The Naval Review February 1950

Reply
Sir, - The article "Two Stripes," contributed by " Trelwell " (The NAVAL REVIEW, February, 1950, p. 51) cries out for an answer, and I hope that others more worthy than myself wi! supply it. May I, however, attempt to take up the cudgels on behalf of the schoolmasters with two stripes on their arms who come under fire in the article ? To explain my standpoint a personal note is necessary: I wear, most proudly, the light blue cloth between my stripes (more than two now) but I graduated to this state not only through public school and university, but also through the lower deck and an R.N.V.R. executive Commission. Not only did I have several years as an adult civilian during which the Navy excited my constant interest from afar, but also, since 1940, my experience within the Service has, by good fortune, been fairly wide.

It is surely our task in the Service now to accept the inevitable and adjust ourselves to the altered circumstances, rather than to bewail the circumstances. And by adjustment I do not mean that we do nothing about the ignorance and/or callousness attributed by "Trelwell" to the "new-type Lieutenant," but that by practice and precept we should lead them in the way they should go, moulding their " new" outlook into the by no means rigid framework of Naval tradition. Despite " Trelwell's " indignant strictures, by far the majority of these men will be found eager and willing pupils.

Many of your readers will be aware that the Instructor Branch underwent a radical change of constitution four years ago. The result, apparent already and predominant very soon, will be the emergence of a completely university-trained body of officers competent not only to undertake the highly technical instruction required at the " departmental " training establishments and the " bread-and-butter " work of H. E. T., E. T. 1, etc. ; but also able to tackle the practical work of plotting and weather forecasting which increases in importance with the rapid development of the science of modem warfare. The qualifications of these officers are such as would enable them to obtain far more lucrative positions as civilians. It stands to reason, therefore. that they come into the Service for no other reason than that they want to come. On this fact hangs the whole strength and tradition of the Navy, whether the recruit be a milkman's boy of 14 or an honours graduate of 23, and I submit that the latter. by virtue of his age and experience, comes in with a mature enthusiasm which we should be wise to nurture and incredibly foolish to despise.

The Instructor Officer comes in eager to be first and foremost a Naval Officer: I have interviewed candidates, and I know. Those who interview them invariably put this point first of all, and the candidate whose answer to it is unsatisfactory rarely gets very far. The question of disciplinary training after entry is, of course, a vexed one, but again the natural adaptability of the still young, but educated, man comes to his rescue in nine cases out of ten. But surely "Trelwell" reveals the unreality of his estimate of the situation by his suggestion of a probationary period of training at sea. It would be glorious -we should all welcome it enthusiastically, but where are the sea-going ships these days in which hundreds of Instructor Officers, Doctors, Dentists and the like could serve their apprenticeship ?

I cannot leave the subject without reference to Trelwell's remark about "rettlement." Five years have passed since the war ended and the world outside is still no "brave new world." We have realized, none too soon, that the sailor going out to pension is going out to a struggle for a living far more testing than his life in the Service. The object of resettlement work by Instructor Officers is to show in a practical form the Navy's gratitude to the man who has served it well by equipping him for this struggle. We afford some similar assistance to the National Serviceman who has been with us for a comparatively short time: he is the man who will come back to us in the event of a future emergency, and, in due proportion, he deserves the same consideration. The Service reaps the dividend in the long run, no less than the individual. No doubt " Trelwell " also had in mind what is known as "Current Affairs Instruction"-a bone of bitter contention since about 1943. We know it has been subject to abuse, but we also know that we live now in a world society in which the unending conflict is no longer between nation and nation, but (to reduce it to its simplest terms) bstween tyranny and that freedom of which the Royal Navy has been throughout its history the most jealous guardian. We have been the jealous guardian of freedom, but we have also taken it for granted without knowing very much about it. Nowadays, faced with a powerful rival ideology (and its exponent is very well versed in his creed) the British sailor, no less than his counterpart in any other walk of life, must know what his birthright of freedom really means, and what he is up against. That is the job that the Instructor Officer undertaking these " extra-mural " forms of instruction and advice is tryiyg to do.

Have I strayed rather far from the burden of "Trelwell's" article ? Perhaps. But "Trelwell" is rather typical of a number of people in the Service who fail to realize, I think, that time and the circumstances have overtaken them, but that at the same time the Service has not changed. The strength of the Navy lies now, as always, not in the stripes on the officers' cuffs or the badges on the sailors' sleeves, nor even in the professional qualifications of which these should be the outward sign, but in the wholesome pride of a great Service which hundreds of years of tradition instils into every man, to a greater or lesser degree, the moment he dons naval uniform.

Yours truly
"I.O."

Source: The Naval Review May 1950

Sir John D. Kelly, 1871-1936, British Admiral
"In 1931 he was on the verge of retiring, when news of a pay cut ranging from 10% to 25% reached units of the Atlantic Fleet at Invergordon. On 15 September the crews of a number of major ships refused to follow orders to put to sea to take part in exercises. The “mutiny” was essentially a strike over pay and conditions, and only lasted for one day, with all the ships involved sailing for their home bases on 16 September.

Kelly was chosen as the right man to deal with the aftermath of the mutiny, and was promoted to commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet (soon renamed the Home Fleet). He was acknowledged as having excellent personnel management skills. He held the post for two years, and soon demonstrated those skills. The worst parts of the pay cut were cancelled, 121 ratings were dismissed from the service and the fleet kept busy. In his report on the affair Kelly blamed the Admiralty for their poor handling of the pay issue, allowing the crews of the Atlantic fleet to learn of it through newspapers. He was also unimpressed with their general lack of interest in personnel issues. The naval schoolmaster branch also came in for criticism for its “socialistic” staff."
Source: http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_kelly_john.html

Commander Alan York RN (rtd), Sheffield
Sir – It is good news that the national curriculum is to be extended. I hope that it will include recognition of the thousands in the Royal Navy who died trying to suppress the slave trade over the past 200 years, and how, despite all their efforts, the slave trade still flourishes.
The Telegraph 29 Aug 2008

Should civil servants be blamed for incompetence at the Home Office?
Sir - For nine long years, the Blair administration has misdirected and mishandled this country - which makes the sight of John Reid disowning the hardworking and dedicated civil servants of the Home Office even more shameful.
Alan York, Commander (rtd), Sheffield
The Telegraph 25 May 2006

Who gets a state funeral?
Some might - and do - say that it's somewhat tasteless to be discussing a lady's funeral before she's actually taken her leave, even if popular opinion holds that she is made of iron. Others discern yet another instance of New Labour invidiousness. "Sir," spluttered Cdr Alan York, RN (rtd) in the Daily Telegraph, "Mr Blair started his premiership with an act of spite directed at the monarchy, when he removed the Royal Yacht. Will he end with another?"
The Guardian 14 August 2006

Sir - Market researchers know that even minor tweaks of methodology can lead to widely differing findings. For example: the same adult males may grossly exaggerate their consumption in some circumstances, while seriously under-reporting in others. The Government should be aware of the likelihood that there are millions of healthy people quietly enjoying alcohol at levels rated "dangerous" by benighted statisticians.
The Telegraph 17 Oct 2007

Service officers will resign rather than allow Navy collapse
Sir- In 1970, five ratings belonging to the minesweeper Iveston were involved in a sit-in. At that time sit-ins were popular, particularly among students. The view of the area flag officer, Rear Admiral David Dunbar-Nasmith, was that what had happened was a mutiny. This caused a sharp intake of breath among some of his advisers, worried about how it might "play with the press". His response was: "We will do what is the right thing [for the Service], and then decide how to handle the press." The five men were convicted of mutiny and sentenced. The reaction of sailors was that they had got what they deserved. There were no more sit-ins. Events surrounding the taking of the 15 members of Cornwall's boarding-party differ greatly from those of the Iveston mutiny, but I cannot believe that the circumstances are not to be investigated by a board of inquiry. For obvious reasons, its proceedings need to be held in camera.
14 Apr 2007

Sir - What in fact does England gain today from the union with Scotland?
11 Dec 2007

The Falklands war showed the danger on cutting replacement aircraft carriers
SIR – Before Waterloo, discussing how he and Blucher could beat Napoleon, Wellington pointed to a British infantryman saying: “It depends on that article whether we do the business or not. Give me enough of it and I am sure.” However hi-tech modern warfare becomes, we will always need enough well-trained and disciplined personnel on the ground or manning our ships. They are a precious commodity that cannot be turned on and off as easily as some politicians would wish.
21 Sep 2010

Funding for the Royal Navy is vital for our foreign policy
SIR – The review will doubtless lead to what David Cameron calls "a more clear-cut defence policy" (report, October 3). It will have to fit a multiplicity of defence needs within the available funding. What is surprising is that Trident should remain sacrosanct. There is rumbling discontent at the two-facedness of Britain keeping Trident and while being party to a treaty obligation to phase out nuclear armaments.
10 Oct 2010

Britain lacks health checks for travellers at airports and for hotel workers
SIR – The assertion by Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary (report July 20), that swine flu is a greater threat to Britain than terrorism, is ungrounded. Flu may become a civil emergency, but terrorism aims to control the British way of life. That is why the British forces are fighting the terrorists in Afghanistan.
22 Jul 2009

Enemy tongue
SIR – The Navy has always considered foreign languages to be important (Features, August 26). In 1783, Horatio Nelson decided to learn the language of the traditional enemy, the French, because his fellow captain, the future William IV, had advised that the lack of a foreign language would handicap his career. He travelled to St Omer to begin his studies, but was soon distracted by an attractive daughter of an English clergyman and quickly decided he would never be a linguist. However, for the rest of his career he always ensured that he had linguists on his staff.
30 Aug 2010

Flat caps may be trendy, but they're also sensible
SIR – Most of us who live north of the Watford Gap would never think of our flat caps as fashion items (Features, November 4); they are functional items of headgear. Many own at least five: a sober patterned best for church or when out with the wife; a snug-fitting one for everyday use; a lightweight colourful one for leisure activity; and a couple of old, well-worn favourites for work and gardening. The manner in which a cap is worn reveals much about a man's character.
10 Nov 2010

SIR – I would like to have served with Captain Keble (report, June 17) because I too hate sprouts. His noble example could be a boon to Royal Navy recruiting.