qualifications questions

From a topside sailor perspective and observation from a long time ago.

When did this fluster cluck of paperwork and those PQS books start. Personal observation would be about 1980 or so. I remember making a Cadet Cruise, in either '78 or '81, when the twits from the Acadamy showed up on board with their little PQS book that had to be signed off, indicating that they had mastered the art of the seaman in 6 weeks just by completing that check-off booklet. Those same twits are now the senior officers you've got today, and they perpetuated that whole program you labor under today.

From my initial qualification days in cutters, there were locally prepared check offs for that cutter, its operations, and equipment. Then, the First Class Petty Officer had an extremely important part in the process. As you learned and perfected your trade, the PO1 would then start the grilling process. Whats this, hows that etc etc etc. when he was satisfied, he brought you down to the Chief, they'd both check out your skills, put their heads together, and if you were ready, gave the nod, signed off the local quals sheet, informed the Department head that you had been checked out and ready to become a watchkeeping sailor.

The senior enlisted had that responsibility to produce the watchkeepers, and the officers trusted the judgement of the Firsts & Chiefs.

By the early 80's that cluster of PQS that you endure took root and it eventually became , from the sounds of it, a self perpetuating paper trail. Something the powers that be can use to cover their collective tookus'.

I'd say then, personal opinion, prior to the 1980s, the officers put a lot more trust in the judgement of their enlisted folks when it came to qualifications.

From cutter to cutter, it then became a matter of the local check off and familiarixation watches.
Once a sailor, always a sailor. Once the art was learned, it is/was just perfected and polished.