The operational readiness inspection is conducted to ensure that the ship is ready and able to perform the operations which might be required of it in time of war.

This inspection consists of the conduct of a battle problem and of other operational exercises.

A great deal of emphasis is placed on AA and surface gunnery, damage control, engineering casualty control, and other appropriate exercises.

Various drills are held and observed, and the ship is operated at full power for a brief period of time.

The overall criteria of performance include:

1. Can the ship as a whole carry out her operational functions?

2. Is the ships company well trained, well instructed, competent, and skillful in all phases of the evolutions?

3. Is the ships company stationed in accordance with the ships Battle Bill, and does the Battle Bill meet wartime requirements? *

Observing Party

The personnel and organization of the operational readiness observing party are similar to those of the administrative inspection party. However, more personnel are usually required for the operational readiness observing party. These additional personnel are very often chiefs and first class petty officers.

The observing party members are briefed in advance of the scheduled exercises and about the drills that are to be conducted. They must have sufficient training and experience so that they can properly evaluate the exercises and drills that are to be held. Each observer is usually assigned to a specific station, and should be well qualified in the procedure of conducting drills and exercises for that station. That each observer be familiar with the type of ship to be inspected is also highly desirable.