Starting as an EM1 , at 19, I was in the small electrical branch on the old 'A' &'T' boats , before Lt(L) s appeared jn boats , so the POLTO answered to the Jimmy and as long as you did your job as POLTO , you were pretty much left alone. In return you expected any officer to be a competent Officer of the Watch . Effectively representing the Captain having read his standing orders. Of course you expected much the same thing from the look-outs .Had little if anything to with the EO , but had the occasional run-in with a fierce CERA, over some ER/MR event as a young EM1 on watch alone in the MR . One CERA, I think, saved my life with a sharp ear and quick on his feet to shut down the starboard engine , just before the cylinder nearest the MR blew up while we were snorting . In my experience , they were the most important bloke aboard, both technically and inspiration . Unusual -- I was quite friendly with my last Jimmy , and we made the tortuous journey from DOLPHIN pier across the water to VERNON , through the gate and then the bus stop, he being saluted , me saluting --- otherwise just chatting about life in general --not the boat , A fine officer , but not the only one . On the whole I was treated with respect , especially as POLTO, and in return recognised the ward room was a different world and treated its members with respect as Naval Officers .
This of course was a long time ago , now I'm 85.
Advice to a young officer , think out what the navy expects of all its officers (and doesn't always get ) and do the job properly without presenting a false personality and treat the troops with respect, but firmly expect to be treated the same in return. Of course all this depends on everybody else playing the same game --- if not and its bad enough (often with arrogance ) put them on a charge at the first suitable occasion . Worked fine for me when I was first made POLTO and the LEM thought he could do as liked , despite my orders ( we were finishing a major refit in Pompey and tightening up discipline ready for commissioning.) .
Always remember you are an officer of the Royal Navy and make sure with easy firmness , everybody else does .
What not to do -- we came in after a long trip up North (spent a lot of time on the surface in those days ) and we had taken beating such that all the grey paint came off , just leaving the yellow undercoat. We had used the spare armature for the fuel separator , and as was usual went straight ashore to get a new one , so we were ready for sea , unlikely, but that was the rule. I was the POLTO as I figured the P---k in the store would move it along if I went . Half-way up the connecting pier at DOLPHIN a Subby pulled me up, in front of any crew around and ticked me off for having a button undone on my shirt . I tolerated the lecture from this lad and went on my way ---but at that point I knew it was probably time for me to make the decision whether stay (sign on) and do the Mechanician's course or leave the Andrew . There were other things , family etc , changing scene in boats and so on ,but this little incident involving young Naval Officer ( not a submariner ) that made up my mind as I realised I would probably punch the lights out of the next officer who humiliated me like that in front of our crew.
