A good example of a particularly effective subspecialist is 

 Captain Earle Wo Sapp, USN. As Commanding Officer of the 

 destroyer USS EUGENE A, GREENE (DD-711) he showed his 

 enlisted men and officers how to measure and predict the charac- 

 teristics of the air-ocean environment in the operating area, and to 

 lay out surveillance, screens, zigzag plans, and aircraft search 

 plans to take best advantage of the conditions. He identified a design 

 deficiency in the audio response of his sonar, and developed a simple 

 modification which removed distortion and greatly improved the 

 detection and classification capability of the system. He analyzed 

 the relationship of minimum pulse length to reverberation limitations 

 in the visual display, determined the optimum minimum pulse length 

 and recommended its adoption. He devised a weapons utilization 

 doctrine based on environmental conditions which was practical and 

 effective. These improvements -were adopted for use in all destroyers, 

 and the USS EUGENE A. GREENE was awarded the Atlantic Fleet ASW 

 Trophy. 



In his present shore duty assignment he is holding down a key 

 assignment in the Department of Defense, with responsibility for 

 reviewing proposals for funding of sea warfare projects. This is 

 the subspecialist ashore - immensely influential because he combines 

 an intimate know^ledge of operational need and sound technical judgment. 



Now^, how can w^e arrange the graduate educational experience to 

 prepare officers for all these functions? 



One way to accomplish these goals at the Naval Postgraduate 

 School might be to provide a common core curriculum in basic 

 oceanography, called an "ocean package" for all three officers - the 

 specialist, the subspecialist, and the subspecialist seeking a minor 

 in oceanography. The ocean package would have a strong offering in 

 physical oceanography, and a good introduction to chemical, biological 

 and geophysical oceanography. It would include several courses in 

 dynamics, and field experience. 



The specialist then could proceed either to advanced work at a 

 civilian university, or to a program of high quality and depth in one 

 of the major fields of oceanography at the Naval Postgraduate School. 

 The subspecialist where qualified, could proceed either to a civilian 

 university, or to a program of additional courses in oceanography 

 at the Naval Postgraduate School. The subspecialist in another major 

 program -WD uld terminate his oceanographic education with the com- 

 pletion of the ocean package. A flexible program in oceanography, 

 assuming a common core of basic oceanography, is the key to meeting 

 the needs of the Navy and the interests of the Naval officer. 



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