dealing with lower rated personnel. If you are sloppy in your  use  of  technical  terms,  you  will  likely  confuse them. This may cause them to do work in an improper or unsafe manner. Just  as  you  ensure  accuracy  and  clarity  in communicating   with   your   juniors,   you   must   also remember  to  communicate  effectively  with  your superiors.   You  must  be  aware  of  what  technical knowledge, if any, your superiors have. Many times you will be called upon to work for junior officers with no prior experience in the electronics or combat systems field. You are responsible for keeping them aware of all matters concerning the systems and personnel under your control. PROFESSIONAL UPDATES Practically   everything   in   the   Navy–policies, procedures,  equipment,  systems,  publications–is  always in various stages of development and revision. As an electronics supervisor you must stay informed of all changes  and  new  developments  that  might  affect  your w o r k . Some  changes  will  be  called  directly  to  your attention.  Others  you  will  have  to  look  for.  Try  to develop   a   special   alertness   for   new   information, especially  technical  information  on  electronics  and associated  equipment  and  systems.  New  types  of equipment  and  systems  are  constantly  being  designed and tested. Existing types of equipment are modified. If you follow the history of electronics since the end of World  War  II,  you  will  find  that  several  important changes  have  occurred.  Designers  of  new  electronic equipment  have  designed  several  functions  into  a  single piece of equipment as a self-contained system. This approach   replaces   combining   several   pieces   of single-function equipment into a system. The size of electronic equipment has decreased as electron tubes have given way to transistors. Smaller and more reliable electronic  components  such  as  capacitors,  resistors, transformers,   and   coils   have   been   developed. Microcircuits are common. In addition, computers have become  more  prominent  in  the  systems  you  now  work with.   The   Electronics   Technicians   of   today   must perform  maintenance  on  a  wider  variety  of  equipment than ever before. As a supervisor, you must be aware of all  changes  that  are  happening  in  the  electronics  field. STANDARDS How do standards apply to you as an electronics supervisor? Let’s start with a definition. We can define a standard as something set up by either custom or authority to measure quality, quantity, performance, or service.  As  a  supervisor  you  must  be  sure  that  the standards set by the Navy, your ship and division, and you are met. Four standards that you will deal with on a continuing basis are as follows: Naval  Standards Occupational  Standards Personnel  Qualification  Standards Equipment  Standards Use these standards to develop a training program for your division that will encompass all aspects of your subordinates’ rating. NAVAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS The  Manual  of  Navy  Enlisted  Manpower  and Personnel   Classifications   and   Occupational Standards,  NAVPERS 18068, (commonly called the Occupational Standards Manual) lists the minimum skills requirements for each rate within each rating. You are  probably  familiar  with  much  of  the  following information. However, we will review it to help you work with your lower rated personnel. Naval Standards Section I of the Occupational Standards Manual lists the naval standards for each paygrade. These are the  skills  and  knowledge  essential  to  the  overall effectiveness  of  the  enlisted  personnel  in  the performance  of  their  duties.  Naval  standards encompass:    Military requirements   Essential virtues of professionalism Pride   of   service   in   support   of   the   oath   of enlistment   Maintenance  of  good  order  and  discipline Basic  skills  and  knowledges  concerning  the well-being  of  Navy  personnel Naval standards are the basis on which the military requirements  training  manuals  and  military/leadership examinations  are  developed.  An  example  of  an  E-6 naval   standard   is NAVSTD  944601–  Write  enlisted  performance evaluations. 1-3