<p>Hello from Fifth Fleet, thanks to MWR.</p>
<p>JT,</p>
<p>It may be easy to see why a pointless rule should not be followed and usually at USNA no one enforces or cares about the rules.</p>
<p>Let me tell you that if you enter the fleet with that attitude, you will be surely disappointed and find yourself getting into trouble. When a CO puts out an instruction, note, or standing order…he/she expects that the fellow officers and senior enlisted will carry out the skipper’s rules. In the 10+ days that I have been with my ship, I have noticed how well ALL HANDS have enforced and complied with the CO’s wishes. One of your roles as a future officer is to carry out the CO’s intentions. Unfortunately, MIDN have a tendency to look poorly upon those that do enforce rules. However, as I previously said, it is practically the exact opposite in the fleet. And FYI, you don’t have to “fry” someone to enforce or make a rule known. </p>
<p>And trust me, they do hold those accountable that don’t enforce the CO’s rules. I have seen it reported in my DIVO binder.</p>
<p>Bottom line, realize that at USNA there is peer pressure to be relaxed regarding the rules…but when you get to the fleet, it is different business…at least from a SWO’s perspective.</p>
<p>If you ever think that there is a rule that is stupid, inconsistent, or unfair…you always have your chain of command to broadcast it to.</p>