Wolff, USN, of the Fleet Numerical Weather Central predicts that all 

 practical operational analyses in both fields will soon be done by 

 computer, requiring specialists educated to a high academic level 

 with a sound preparation in mathematical and synoptic meteorology, 

 and descriptive and predictive oceanography, viewed always as an 

 inseparable system. 



If, in the future, we find ourselves depending to a greater extent 

 on deep mounted, high powered, active sonar systems, -we ■will require 

 specialists with a broad oceanographic education in the physical var- 

 iables and their prediction; and in climatology, computer mathematics, 

 and physics supporting probability analysis of detection; geology 

 relating to bottom boundary effects; and some biology and chemistry. 

 It also seems likely that an understanding of high speed communica- 

 tions and signal processing theory will be needed. 



Now let's look at the subspecialist. What is his function in the 

 Navy? Commander Don Walsh who has earned a Ph.D. in oceano- 

 graphy and has given this a good deal of thought since his deep dive 

 in Trieste, says that the subspecialist should be an enlightened 

 manager, able to hold his own in a roomful of oceanographers, and 

 capable of deciding which proposals or projects to encourage, which 

 to hold back and which to initiate. This judgment of course must be 

 based on a clear understanding of operational need combined with 

 sound technical competence. 



Commander Walsh sees two broad areas of employment for sub- 

 specialist officers. One would be in the applications area, through 

 performance in fleet operational billets such as a staff specialist, or 

 in a shipboard billet requiring this subspecialty. The other would be 

 in the management area through assignment to R&D programs at 

 either the headquarters or laboratory level. He regards the sub- 

 specialist as the "bridge" between the fleet and the R&D establish- 

 ment, representing the ultimate customer, the operator in the Fleet. 

 Particularly pertinent in this regard is the operations option in 

 oceanography at the Naval Postgraduate School. The oceanography 

 subspecialist should be the one who inspires the ship's company or 

 the air crew to get the most out of equipment and the environment, 

 and who proposes the improvements to gear and tactics which in the 

 long run are the quickest route to enhanced operational readiness. 



Commander Walsh is also certain that the demand for both 

 specialists and subspecialists in oceanography will grow rapidly 

 because the Navy is faced with pioneering much of the scientific 

 exploration and technological development of inner space which will 

 lead to the civil efforts in ocean exploitation. 



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