You should become familiar with critiques and derive
maximum benefit from the one you attend as a
member of the exercise ship so you can present
meaningful appraisals.
During the exercise, observers must keep a
chronological record of the events that take place or
make notes of occurrences that may have a bearing on
the outcome of the exercise, such as the following:
Procedural errors
Handling times
Outstanding performances
Equipment failures and repairs
The important aspects of each observer's notes are
presented as a part of the critique. The following
points about the exercise should be covered:
Manner of performance
Errors committed
Deficiencies of material or procedure
Recommendations for improvements of
material and personnel performances
The last point, recommendations for improve-
ments, may be more important than any other item
because improvement is the goal of all training.
Recommendations may be limited to minor changes
in procedures or to training in a particular area.
Conversely, they may encompass overhaul of entire
systems and addition or replacement of equipment.
Tentative grades may be assigned at critiques.
Final appraisals, however, are the responsibility of the
type commander, who can compare the performance
of one unit with another. The type commander also
strives for uniformity of grading within the type.
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
(CCC-15-SF THROUGH
CCC-17-SF)
Visual communications exercises may be used for
day-to-day training and evaluations or as the criteria
for operational readiness inspections (ORIs). For all
exercises, preparation and execution must be oriented
toward training. It is intended that various
communications exercises from FXP 3 be performed
in combination to test all installed systems and
functions. The operational or type commander
designates the exercises for your ship. During periods
of emission control (EMCON), visual signaling may
be the only method of communications available.
Therefore, proficiency in visual communications must
be maintained. The series of visual signaling exercises
(CCC-15-SF through CCC-17-SF) is designed to train
and evaluate personnel in visual signaling procedures.
COMMUNICATIONSEVALUATION
The visual communications exercises may be used
individually or in combination to satisfy the following
evaluation requirements: training, ORI,
predeployment COMM/ELEX inspection, and overall
communications exercises.
The officer conducting the exercises (OCE)
supplies the following information:
1. Where: Ship's name, location (in port/under
way)
2. When: Starting time and duration of exercise(s)
3. Which: What exercises and for which installed
system(s)
4. Who: The senior observer
Any additional comments required will be issued
so the exercise unit will be fully prepared.
GRADING
The number of points assigned for each evaluation
factor is the norm. However, the senior observer may
deduct points to the degree that circumstances show a
need. Additionally, if performance or material
readiness is of exceptionally poor quality, the senior
observer may deduct more points than are assigned.
The senior observer obtains the final grade for the
exercise by subtracting points lost from 100.
SECURITY
Any action resulting in a reportable security
violation, or any action, if not stopped or prevented by
an observer, that would have resulted in a reportable
security violation will cause an exercise to be
evaluated as unsatisfactory. No numerical grade will
be assigned, and the exercise will be canceled at that
point. Report violations through the chain of
command. The reporting of a security violation can be
as low as operator or as high as supervisor.
All nonreportable security violations will result in
the loss of five points of credit. Three or more of these
nonreportable violations will result in grading that
exercise unsatisfactory. Examples of nonreportable
violations are classifications not in letters larger than
14-2
