The Navy has many programs that will affect you at some time in your Navy career. In this chapter you will learn the basics of some of the programs that will affect you as a Fireman. This chapter is not designed to make you an expert in any of these programs, rather it will make you aware of their existence and advise you where to seek more in-depth information. Programs we discuss include only those you will need to know about while carrying out your assigned duties.

After studying this chapter, you should be able to identify the organizational structure of the engineering department, have a general understanding of each engineering rating, and be able to incorporate general safety precautions to perform your day-to-day tasks. You should be able to discuss with some accuracy the various programs pertinent to you as an engineer; that is, the planned maintenance system (PMS), the equipment tag-out program, and the engineering operational sequencing system (EOSS).

STANDARD SHIP ORGANIZATION

The responsibility for organization of the officers and crew of a ship belongs to the commanding officer by U.S. Navy regulations. The executive officer is responsible, under the commanding officer, for organization of the command. The department heads are responsible for the organization of their departments for readiness in battle and for assigning individuals to stations and duties within their respective departments. The Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy manual (SORM), OPNAVINST 3120.32B, prescribes this administrative organization for all types of ships.

ORGANIZATION OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

The SORM organizes the engineering department for the efficient operation, maintenance, and repair of the ship's propulsion plant, auxiliary machinery, and piping systems. The engineering department is responsible for (1) damage control, (2) operation and maintenance of electric generators and distribution systems, (3) repair to the ship's hull, and (4) general shipboard repairs.

The organization of each engineering department varies according to the size of the ship and the engineering plant. For example, forces afloat, such as repair ships and tenders, have a separate repair department with many engineering ratings responsible for ofd ship repair and maintenance. These ships also have a standard ship's force engineering department. Smaller ships, because of the smaller number of engineering ratings aboard, combine many ratings into one division.

Figure 1-1 is an example of the organizational structure of the engineering department aboard any large ship. Note that the administrative assistant and the special assistants are aides to the engineer officer. These responsibilities are often assigned as additional duties to officers functioning in other capacities.

The three main assistants to the engineer officer are the main propulsion assistant (MPA), the electrical officer, and the damage control assistant (DCA). Each assistant is assigned the division(s) shown on the organization chart. The division officers are responsible for the various divisions. The organization of each division by sections is set up by the watch, quarter, and station bill.