I'm glad this has sparked a relatively heated debate about SOP adherence, when to push, risk to benefit analysis, and good old common sense. I'm sure all of us agree with most of the information put out.
I asked these questions for specific reason. Has anyone looked at the "Redwing boot" thread on AW? Many personnel stated that even though they referenced the Safety Center, they chose to ignore the guidance for personal comfort issues or image. One post comes to mind regarding 30 (my assumption was VP-30). Some even gave gouge on where to get them, what pair are the most comfortable...etc.
There is no doubt from my years of flying that both enlisted and officers in the Naval Aviation community share what I refer to as a "Cookie Cutter Mentality". When placed in similar situations, with similar training, a similar product will be produced. SOP adherence, ORM/CRM considerations, and NATOPS guidance is rarely amended, and when it is guidance from the Preface of NATOPS is always stated.
My question was more posed towards the little stuff that is allowed to go on without being checked or in some cases is promoted by senior aviators and crewman.
Again so you don't think I am casting stones...here is a little story. I was sent to Sumatra with a Det form HC-5 for relief post 2005 Tsunami. Long story short, a picture was taken of me walking a civilian dude from the A/C to the hospital staff in Bahnda Ache. I was in PRIME fleet crewman form...sleeves rolled to the mid forearm, big dip in my mouth, and my HC-3 FRS instructor patch visible for all readers of All Hands and Navy News Stand to see. Prompt guidance came down via NATOPS model manager to CO to all of our dets that we had better adhere to ALL requirements for flight gear wear. Now...I was dumb and should have known better; cameras were going to be everywhere. I took liberties with what I was suppose to do based on what I thought was "Cool" and projected an image of a "Cowboy Saviour" here to scoop up the downtrodden and make everything OK. I never would have allowed my students while at 3 to do these things, but we were "In the FLEET" and this was an "Acceptable" behavior.
The guidance in ALL the publications is there for a reason. Some one smarter than me got a good deal of money to decide what was the safest way for me to do my job. OR...someone dumber than me made a mistake in judgement, procedure, or good old common sense; and we all had to pay for it (i.e. the famous action hero with the red cape). Before blasting, I am in no way comparing the stupid to the silly.
I guess the ultimate question would be, regardless of how minor our (again including myself) violations of seemingly stupid rules are...at what point do we become part of the grand scheme problem?