The Importance of Punctuality in the Navy
-AD3 Jacobs
It is well accepted that being on time and ready to work will make you a more productive and well respected member of any organization. The same is true in the Navy. However that is not the extent of the importance of being punctual in the military. All sailors must be accounted for. My being at the appointed place at the appointed time is critical to all levels of the chain of command.
My supervisor is responsible for my whereabouts during working hours and my POOW is responsible for my whereabouts when I am scheduled for watch standing. They are responsible to the division chief/SDO respectively. And up the chain it goes from there. If I am not where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be there then they are not able to account for me. They then have to report me missing to the chain of command. If they then are not able to make contact with me, a search must be made. This costs valuable man-hours and unnecessary hardship on my shipmates.
As a vital member of this organization, when I am not at my appointed place those around me must take on the tasks that I would be doing. By not mustering for the duty driver watch, I was placing the ASDO and hanger watch in a difficult situation.
In addition, the importance of verifying information received cannot be overstated. Rumors can be dangerous things and believing them without verifying through the chain of command can be disastrous. I am responsible for knowing where to be and when to be there. If that means calling my supervisor or duty section leader the night before then that is what I need to do. If I have learned nothing else from this unpleasant event, it is always be positive about where you need to be and when.
Being punctual, for any member of the armed forces, is extremely important to the defense of the United States of America. Dependability,...