SEC Champs said:
Operational commitments? How about the socially progressive programs that are weighing down the Navy like a wet towel? Within days of a racial prank, the entire service was forced to sit through two hours of "extremism training" despite our service oath and commitment to core values. We obligate millions of man hours to teach Sailors how to play nice rather than do their jobs and win battles. And we wonder why we're technically incompetent and unfit to fight!
I feel like this is delving into forum 16 territory, and getting off topic, but...
Yes, operational commitments have led to a "just in time" mentality with everything. Kick things down the line until it's really needed, or until funding becomes available to do what the instruction says we're supposed to do. In my opinion, if you aren't going to fund a program, don't enforce it or don't get mad when people can't meet its objectives. We've been constantly doing more with less, and eventually it's all going to come crashing down when it can't be sustained.
Regarding the separate topic that you bring up, yes, it is annoying having to do all these safety stand downs, all these NKOs/JKOs, etc. And they can interfere with the optempo. But, at the same time, whether we like it our not, there are plenty of service members that feel marginalized for something about themselves. Whether that be their race/religion/gender/orientation, whatever. It if a little training every now and again helps ensure they feel like part of the team, and enhances their ability to trust and work with their team, that's a win-win.
The reality is that there are people out there who are willing to don't understand what our service oath really means. I don't know if extremism will do anything to change their perceptions, but there are lots of shady things out there and in people's minds.