Download - Royal Australian Navy

30 australian maritime issues 2009: spc-a annual
The close quarters within which a ship’s company lives, works and fights have always
demanded a high degree of honesty. However, as with any microcosm of society, a ship’s
company will occasionally experience dishonesty within its ranks and when this occurs,
the destructive effect on the ship as a whole cannot be overstated. Divisiveness is often
the first symptom when this happens, followed by mistrust and all of the unpleasant
characteristics that come with it. The ill feeling generated by this mistrust can spread
rapidly throughout a ship and undo years of hard work and team building.
Honesty and pride in oneself, as a well-trained professional, is the hallmark of any
effective member of a ship’s company (RAN)