This was my original post on this subject several years back.
Quote:
Originally Posted by T. A. Gardner
Alright, I'll bite. Assuming that the clock is rolled back 60 or so years and that otherwise I am still the same person career and experiance-wise I would have certainly immediately been promoted to Lieutenant in the US Navy (as were many career Chief Petty Officers both active and reserve (me) on the outbreak of WW II in the US)and assigned as a division officer aboard a larger unit (most likely a cruiser) for 4 - 6 months and then promoted to Lieutenant Commander and Department Head in Engineering (my background).
If my ship wasn't sunk by the end of 1942 I would even survive the war. I would have ended the war promoted to Commander. After the war (as I would have started out with 24 years of experiance)I would have retired and resumed my civilian career.
Not glamorous but it's what I do well.
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It too would have been little fun.
While I would have had a stateroom or cabin on board ship (as a junior officer one with several other officers or as a senior officer one with one other officer or by myself) there would be little creature comforts there. Being at sea is alot like being in jail.
I would have had responsibility for my part of the ship's plant. I would have to spend several hours a day just scheduling work and seeing that maintenance was getting done. The material condition of my spaces would have been critical.
Then there is actual combat. General quarters is mostly a bore. You sit there and do a job you have done a thousand times before. That is, right up until you are actually in the fight. Then it is terrifying. Fire and flooding on a ship is a major, major problem. You have to get both under control NOW or there will be no later.
While as an officer I would not be "on scene" in an emergancy it is really worse sitting in some space only getting messages and sound-powered phone talk to let you know what's going on. The worst is when things on scene go wrong. And, they can in an instant. Been there, seen that.
On top of all this there are wardroom politics to deal with, the crew to deal with, and my fellow (having previously been one) Chiefs to deal with. While my having been promoted from "the ranks" will buy me alot with those below me it hurts politically dealing with my peers and superiors. Never mind my education or other background. The fact I was enlisted and senior enlisted works against me with the "brass." They expect it both ways. I am expected to be an expert at everything technical and a social ass regardless of the truth.
I'm not good enough for the regular officers but am expected to not make a mistake on the job at the same time.
You see, there are really few "easy" jobs in the military....then or now.