Observation: ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a Key Force Multiplier to Beat Great Power Competitors in the Administrative Warfare Domain
This article is the first of a new recurring column: Observations by esteemed 1170 and friend of The Subpar Group, LTJG Ryan Zhang, the MPA on the USS REDACTED. Monthly, LTJG Zhang will provide a NUB perspective on issues affecting the subforce instead of working on his qualifications.
ChatGPT presents a unique opportunity to the enterprising junior officer: it can help with the most important thing a submarine junior officer can do, administrative paperwork. Message writing, critique write-ups, lessons learned, and even comments for audit and surveillance programs can all be drastically improved by its utilization.
Now, I know you might be saying, “But sir, isn’t the cleanliness of our hard to reach spaces the most important aspect in our competition with our opponents?” And yes, young ETN3 (SU), you are correct. Field Days conducted in contested waters will continue to be the benchmark for our ability to defeat near-peer adversaries in a kinetic conflict. Don’t worry, AI will never be able to take your critical role as a bilge diver. So, Shipmate, rest easy in the knowledge that your sustained, excellent preservation efforts remain the number one contributor to our global force for good. On the list of “Top 100 Jobs AI is Most Likely to Replace”, disgruntled ETN3 (SU) with a bilge grabber is nowhere to be found.
When I first started this experiment, I was inspired by a former roommate of mine, who serves on a carrier. He was raving about how much more cable TV he was able to watch, how much more FIFA he was able to play, and all the Hollywood showers he could take, all because ChatGPT streamlined his workload.
That got me thinking….if I could use ChatGPT to help me with all this important admin that I have to produce, I might be able to actually quit being dinq - maybe even make time for one game of cribbage a month! So far, in the three months that I’ve been running this ChatGPT trial, I’ve been able to fulfill a record-breaking 30% of our written duties and responsibilities.
It has been able to assist in all sub-domains of administrative undersea warfare. When our snorkel mast broke, but we had a diesel performance test in my oncoming I typed into ChatGPT “write a TSO that enables us to snorkel without a snorkel mast.” Likewise I told it to “write an OPS plan for the Pearl Harbor BSP that is exactly what my CO wants to hear,” and the night before an inspection “create an exactly average OSO program.” It only failed me once. It couldn’t “write a critique about the 8 out of position valves found during my watch that doesn’t end with me getting disqualified.” Some problems are too great even for a supercomputer.
Unfortunately, my XO is a total Boomer and does not feel the same way about AI. He believes the write ups aren't the point - that the real lessons learned are the hours of sleep a JO loses during the write ups - and he’s threatened to ban us from using ChatGPT as an administrative tool if we route him one more message he doesn’t have to edit. Personally, I think he secretly likes forcing us to reroute our messages. It's kind of an open secret, like the fact that he signed a DH contract in order to settle a massive tab at Club USA.
Whether ChatGPT will prove to be a useful tool is obvious to all. But one thing is certain: AI will never be able to scrape paint as well as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed young sailor.
End observation.
Boat Name redacted to protect LTJG Zhang from his XO and ENG
*This article was not written with any ChatGPT input whatsoever. AI has not yet grasped the intricacies of submarine-related sarcastic humor.
LTJG Ryan Zhang (1170) tells people he is from San Diego but is actually from Oceanside. In his free time, Ryan enjoys brushing his teeth, sleeping, and showering. He also enjoys the occasional flossing, but he doesn't have time to pursue his hobbies as much anymore, now that he is in the middle of qualifications.