IMPORTANCE OF CHAIN COMMAND
The United States Navy is a service branch of the United States of America Armed Forces. It also ideally presents one of the seven uniformed services of the country. The United States Navy is the largest in the world with its war fleet larger than that of 13 next largest navies combined. The basic movement of muscle and ideologies within the navy system is manned and aided by the chain of command. The chain of command system ideally refers to the framework in place in the navy regarding the passage of information and giving of orders. The importance of the chain of command in the navy is ideally the main point of argument in this paper. The negatives of not being in line with the chain of command will also be discussed. This aspect is also followed in discussion with the issue of not following orders and respectful consequences.
One of the basic importances of the chain of command, in not only the navy, but also other military organizations regards the issue of giving orders in a crisis. The chain of command largely comes into good use in the case whereby a problem has arisen in the course of duty in the navy. In this case, the chain of command is very significant in ensuring that the problem in question is solved not only in time, but also amicably. When the chain of command is applied in a problem situation it ensures that the respectful problem is ideally solved at its lowest level. Unnecessary out of point explosion of the problem is avoided. A situation whereby a small issue can involve the whole navy and authorities is thus wholly and adequately avoided. This provision and setting is very vital in presenting professionalism in the navy just like is the situation in numerous business entities and organizations.
The war situation and scenario brings about the second, though not in terms of weight, importance of the chain of command in the navy. The war case scenario is very sensitive and vital. The small actions and processes that are undertaken in this case are largely influential in determining which side emerges the winner. The chain of command in the war scenario is perhaps one the most important ingredients towards the determination of who wins the war. If there was no chain of command in the war situation, then everybody would believe and think that they are in charge. This presents a very risky and shaky situation. If for instance an NCO instructs a private to undertake a certain action, refusal to follow this instruction may result in fatalities. The chain of command brings the vital order in the war situation. It allows for coordination of individual actions and consequently influences the war outcome.
The chain of command in the navy brings about the issue of discipline. It is evident that not all individual with specifically given academic qualifications as set in the navy threshold can be a member. This is because of the vital inclusion of the moral perspective of the respectful individual. The navy is ideally a very sensitive professional especially in terms of patriotism. The morality and personal perspectives towards rule following is a very important input in the determination of who is eligible to represent the United States in war. The principles of the navy are based on the vital issue of following commands and rules. The chain of command plays a very key role in ensuring that individuals pass this test.
All members of the navy will eventually be players in receiving directions. For instance, the E1 up to E3 are ideally the navy ranking position for receiving and following rules. At this stage, the individuals under this rank are almost under everybody in the navy. It is a very important rank stage for the concerned people. The naval authority in strategic levels can ideally gauge the levels of discipline of the people under this rank. It is a very important stage in the determination of whether the recruited naval personnel can importantly follow given rules.
Passing the lower stages in the navy ideally means that individuals are in a position to follow the orders of the authority. This stand presents them with a chance of handling other positions in the navy. For instance, the E5 can give informed and patriotic orders to the lower ranked personnel like E3. Rising in the naval ranks implies that individuals are in a position to handle given orders and therefore have respect for the authority (Stavrides, 2008, p. 24). This therefore implies that they can be charged with higher responsibilities in the navy. Thus, the chain of command is a vital player concerned with the promotion of individuals within the navy.
The chain of command therefore brings the vital order needed in every organization. It sets out to display the vital aspect of professionalism in the navy. The aspect of lawfully abiding by the rules stated in the navy is also closely related to the chain of command and its respectful vitality. Following given rules and commands by relevant authority is a basic input in creating the required discipline in the navy. Without this factor, the navy and army at large would be in chaos and would even lack meaning.
The consequences of not following given rules in the navy are diverse. They also range and differ in terms of criticality. The fact that one took the oath to obey and abide by all the rules and regulations before sign up in the navy is used as a basis for one being punished as a result of disobeying given rules and the chain of command. One of the basic and perhaps the simplest form of punishment incurred to victims involves the use of words. Verbal punishment and perhaps counseling is given to individuals who disobey or disregard the chain of command.
Individuals can also be given hard physical labor and activities if they disobey the rules and chain of command. Physical punishment can be administered in regard to individuals directly failing to obey the authority. This is especially in cases where people refuse to follow instructions in public. Therefore, the authority can impose the punishment to publicly warn potential victims.
Another basic and quite severe punishment regarding disobedience in the chain of command regards being relieved of service. There are situations where the levels of criticality involved with breach of authority command can be big. These are the cases that largely qualify for the concerned person being discharged from the navy (Stavrides, 2008, p. 31). The consequences of not obeying the authority rule and chain of command is the basis used in the removal of respectful individuals from state service.
It is evident that the inclusion of the chain of command in the navy is indeed very vital. It is an inclusion that largely affects the process and activities in the navy positively. Without the chain of command there would be very little gf4is the basis used in the removal of respectful individuals from state service.
It is evident that the inclusion of the chain of command in the navy is indeed very vital. It is an inclusion that largely affects the process and activities in the navy positively. Without the chain of command there would be very little order in the navy. Therefore, all navy personnel should adopt the responsibility of following stated rules and consequently the chain of command.
References
Stavrides, J. G. (2008). Destroyer Captain: Lessons of a First Command. New York, NY: Naval
Institute Press
