June 2,2008:
A recent flurry of U.S. Navy
inspections that showed a decline of ship maintenance standards, led to a
search for reasons. Discussions with young sailors revealed that one problem
was the increasing use of computer simulations to train recruits to perform a
lot of basic maintenance tasks. While seemingly efficient, the lack of literal
"hands-on" experience led to a lot of errors, wasted effort, sailor
frustration, and essential work not done, on ships. Sailors who thought they
knew how to use tools and do maintenance procedures, found the reality was that
the computer simulations, for many young sailors, did not impart all the
knowledge and experience required.
As a
result of these findings, the computer simulations will be revised, and some
hands-on training added, before the new sailors are turned loose on maintaining
many items of equipment found on warships.