Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 49 text:

he efficient operation of any machine is deternnined mainly by the efficient operation of its central power cir- cuits. This statement is also applicable to the brain, which, when it is deprived of its central nerve centers, becomes nothing more than a dead collection of cells. Every good machine therefore needs a good power circuit, and every capable brain an alert nervous system. In good faith to the same line of thinking, every effi- cient man-of-war must have an efficient EX division. Nearly everything that occurs on a ship of this type, whether good or bad, eventually finds its way through the offices and hands of the Incomparable EX division. COLUMBUS is certainly no exception. Beneath the guiding hands of LT W. I. Wellons and Chaplain M. E. Brenneman, ably assisted by LTJG S. L. Beck and ChHSCLK K. A. Neal and further supplemented by E. K. McGahan (PNC) and F. C. Wenzel (PNICA), we have managed to make this EX division one to be proud of. In its subdivided state, which consists of six major components, we see it as the Captain s Office, the Executive Officer ' s Office, the Legal and Training Office, the Chaplain ' s Office, (more familiarly known as the Crew ' s Lounge) Master-at-Arms and last but not least, our own Print Shop. Together they handle some of the most intricate tasks a Naval organization is called upon to perform: maintenance of all the records dealing with the officer ' s or enlisted man ' s entire Naval career — assignment of billets — leave and liberty — ship ' s official correspondence — morale and recreation — education and training — discipline — transfers — and a host of other detailed jobs dealing with sailors as individuals and sailors as part of a whole Navy. They often work many hours after the rest of the crew has completed the routine chores of the day — working to Insure a completely thorough justification of what every single man aboard Is doing and what every man has done. Relinquishing more than one liberty call themselves in order to provide a shipmate with as much liberty as is authorized, the EX division smilingly labours on. Call them the crew ' s loungers if you like .... Call them the Bureau of Information, the Pencil Pushers or even the Sea Waves, but remember this when you do: The boys behind the tapping machines are the hardest working loungers In the crew, the most informed bureau you ever saw, and together or alone they make the greatest bunch of sailors the rating and the COLUMBUS has ever had the pleasure to possess.