degree of realism of this test determines its value: the
2. Is the ship's company well trained, well
more nearly it approximates actual battle conditions, the
instructed, competent, and skillful in all phases of the
more valuable it is.
evolutions?
CONDUCT OF A BATTLE PROBLEM.--
3. Is the ship's company stationed following the
Before a battle problem is conducted, the ship is
ship's Battle Bill, and does the Battle Bill meet wartime
furnished specific information such as that listed below.
requirements?
1. Authority for conducting the inspection
Observing Party
2. Time of boarding of the inspecting party
The personnel and organization of the operational
3. Time the ship is to get under way
readiness observing party are similar to those of the
administrative inspection party. However, more
4. Time for setting the first material readiness
personnel are usually required for the operational
condition
readiness observing party. These additional personnel
5. Time for conducting the inspection to zero
are often chief petty officers and first class petty officers.
problem time conditions
The observing party members are briefed in
6. Zero problem time
advance of the scheduled exercises and drills that are to
be conducted. They must have sufficient training and
7. End of problem time
experience so that they can properly evaluate the
8. Time of critique
exercises and drills that are to be held. Each observer is
usually assigned to a specific station and should be well
Observers must be proficient in the proper methods
qualified in the procedure of conducting drills and
of introduction of information. In general, when
exercises for that station. That each observer be familiar
practical, the information delivered to ship's personnel
with the type of ship to be inspected is also highly
should be verbal and should contain only that
desirable.
information which would help the ship's personnel
develop adequate procedures for the search and
Battle Problems
investigation of the imposed casualty. If the ship's
personnel fail to locate the casualty, the observer may
The primary purpose of a shipboard battle problem
resort to coaching, but a notation should be made on the
is to provide a medium for testing and evaluating the
observer's form as to the time allowed before coaching
ability of all divisions of the engineering department to
and information were furnished. Special precautions
function together as a team in simulated combat
should be taken to give the symptoms of casualty the
operations.
same degree of realism that they would have if the
casualty were actual rather than simulated.
The discussion of the battle problem in this
TRAMAN is from the viewpoint of the observer and
To impose casualties, ship's personnel must close
presents some general information about the
valves, open switches, or stop machinery. In each case,
requirements and duties of a member of the engineering
the observer should inform responsible ship's personnel
department observing party. The knowledge of the
of the action desired, and the ship's personnel should
viewpoint and duties of an observer should help you
operate the designated equipment.
prepare yourself and your personnel for a battle problem
and other appropriate exercises.
NOTE: A casualty should be simulated, or omitted
entirely, if there is danger that personnel injury or
PREPARATION OF A BATTLE PROBLEM.--
material damage might result.
The degree of perfection achieved in any battle problem
is reflected in the skills and applications of those who
NOTE: The supply of lubricating oil to the main
prepare it. A great deal depends upon the experience of
engines or the supply of feedwater to the boilers MUST
officers and chief petty officers. The element of surprise
NOT be stopped to simulate casualties.
in the conduct of a battle problem significantly increases
its value.
An emergency procedure should be set up by the
observing party and ship's company to ensure proper
Battle problems are the most profitable and
action in case actual casualties, as distinguished from
significant of all peacetime training experience. They
simulated or problem casualties, should occur.
demonstrate a department's readiness for combat. The
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