Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharp1080 
Tighr,
What triggered this whole fiasco was the way the orders came in. I'm wondering if you asked them specifically if their Captain would launch on orders not thru the proper channels? These "ex-Navy" guys were not Captain of the submarine. Not being argumentative but they are stating their opinion and not the sub Captain's. That was the whole premise of the show at the start, he was asking as to why it was not sent properly. Chaplain was following protocol, they were not following it. .
Tighr,
What triggered this whole fiasco was the way the orders came in. I'm wondering if you asked them specifically if their Captain would launch on orders not thru the proper channels? These "ex-Navy" guys were not Captain of the submarine. Not being argumentative but they are stating their opinion and not the sub Captain's. That was the whole premise of the show at the start, he was asking as to why it was not sent properly. Chaplain was following protocol, they were not following it. .
I am a former US Navy Missile Tech that did serve on SSBN's. Based on my experience, Tighr's post above is very accurate.
The writers created a fictitious alternate method to receive launch orders called the "Arctic Network". So in the Last Resort world, there are two methods where the boat can receive an authenticated launch order. When the boat receives an authenticated launch order through a proper channel, which in this case they did, the ‘protocol’ is to launch. Period. No turning on the TV to check CNN, no transmitting a radio message for confirmation . You launch as ordered. When the boat receives an EAM (Launch Order), it is not a secret from the crew, we all knew it. It gets authenticated by two other officers under a very strict methodology. If the Captain refuses to follow a direct authenticated order, it is the XO’s duty to relieve the Captain and execute the launch order. The dramatic 'launch or don't launch' scenario is fine for movies and TV like 'Red Tide' and 'Last Resort', it's not reality.
