Your responsibilities for technical leadership are directly  related  to  the  nature  of  your  work.  Operating and maintaining the ship’s electronic equipment is a vital job. It’s a teamwork job requiring a special kind of leadership ability. This leadership ability can only be developed  by  personnel  who  have  a  high  degree  of technical  competence  and  a  deep  sense  of  personal responsibility. At this point, let’s consider some of the broader aspects of your increased responsibilities for military and  technical  leadership. RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE ELECTRONICS DIVISION CHAIN You  will  be  expected  to  translate  the  general  orders given  by  officers  into  detailed,  practical,  on-the-job language  that  even  relatively  inexperienced  personnel can understand and follow. In dealing with your juniors, you must see that they perform their work properly. You must also be able to explain to officers what your juniors may need or problems they may experience. RESPONSIBIILITIES FOR TRAINING Training is essential. Even if you are blessed with a highly skilled and well-trained electronics force, you will  still  find  training  necessary.  For  example,  some  of your  best  workers  may  be  transferred  and  replaced  by inexperienced  or  poorly  trained  personnel.  Often,  a  job may call for skills your assigned personnel do not have, especially   if   your   division   must   maintain   new equipment.  These  and  similar  problems  require  you  to be a training specialist who can conduct both formal and informal training programs. You must train individuals and groups to work safely, neatly, accurately, and with a spirit of cooperation. RESPONSIBILITIES TO SUBORDINATES Any discussion of responsibilities must include the responsibility you as a supervisor have toward your subordinates.  You  are  responsible  for  developing  their professional and general military skills. You must also help them to become mature, competent technicians who   are   prepared   to   assume   supervisory responsibilities. You must teach them and encourage them  to  usc  their  skills  and  knowledge  to  make decisions. You must then support those decisions when they are correct and fair. However, you must also advise or counsel your subordinates when their decisions may cause  harm  to  themselves,  others,  or  their  equipment. Use  the  “learn  by  mistakes”  theory  to  teach  your subordinates.  But  be  constantly  aware  of  what  is happening to be sure the lessons taught are worth the consequences,  should  problems  develop. You   as   a   supervisor   have   an   overriding responsibility  to  take  care  of  your  people  before  caring for  yourself.  This  responsibility  requires  steadfast devotion to your subordinates. Gaining the loyalty of subordinates  requires  unselfish  actions  on  the  part  of seniors. TAKE  CARE  OF  YOUR  PEOPLE  AND  THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU! RESPONSIBILITIES  TOWARD  OTHER RATINGS As you advance to ET1 and then to ETC, you will find  that  your  plans  and  decisions  can  affect  many people.  Some  of  these  people  may  not  be  in  your division  or  even  in  the  operations  department.  It becomes more and more important, therefore, for you to understand the duties and responsibilities of personnel in other ratings. Every petty officer in the Navy is a technical specialist in a particular field. Learn as much as you can about the work of other ratings. Plan your own  work  to  fit  in  with  the  overall  mission  of  the organization. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION The   basic   requirements   for   effective communication are knowledge of your own language, knowledge  of  standard  naval  terminology,  and  precise use  of  technical  terms.  Knowledge  of  your  own language includes using correct language when you speak and write. Remember, the basic purpose of all communication is understanding. To lead, supervise, and train others, you must be able to speak and write so they  understand  exactly  what  you  mean. Standard naval terminology consists of words that express ideas usually understood or procedures used only by those in the Navy. When a situation calls for the use of standard Navy terminology, use it. Use technical terms with precision. A command of the technical language of the Electronics Technician will help  you  receive  and  pass  along  information  accurately. It  will  also  help  you  exchange  ideas  with  other technicians. If you don’t understand the precise meaning of the terms used in your rating, you may not be able to understand  the  content  of  technical  publications. Although the correct use of technical terms is always important, it is particularly important when you are 1-2