Turn The Ship Around!

by L. David Marquet

The issue I had the hardest time coming to grips with was how I didn’t know all this was happening. Technically, the XO signs the enlisted watch bill so, technically, I wasn’t responsible. Still, I was. I had been in the control room a hundred times during the previous week. I’d frequently seen Sled Dog standing there on watch. Sure, I had excuses. I was focused on other things, whereas managing the watch bill was the direct responsibility of others. No matter how I rationalized it, however, I felt responsible. Perhaps this sense of responsibility colored my actions and perhaps it could have come out badly. Had I carefully weighed the potential impact to me personally, I would never have gone in body to the enlisted barracks. I didn’t think like that, though. I was only worried about my sailor, who was off by himself and dealing with senior management that wasn’t trying to get him on board.