While in the Navy, I stood watch as Officer of the Deck on three ships. For those not familiar with the term, the “OOD,” designated by the captain, is charged with navigation, safety and performance of the vessel. At the end of my watch, I was required to give my relief a complete description of the vessel, her position in the water, the location and movements of all vessels in the vicinity, the weather, and anything else my relief needed to safely keep the next watch. It was my job.
No matter whether or not I liked my relief — although I genuinely liked most of my shipmates. No matter if I thought my relief was a good watchkeeper — that was the captain’s decision. It was my job to “turn over the watch.” And if I did not do my job — if my information was not clear and precise — the resulting collision would be the responsibility of my relief. Regardless of who was responsible, if my ship sank, I was sunk.
Mr. Trump, it is your job to properly turn over your watch to your successor. You cannot let the country sink just so you can gloat.
