Well, there are exceptions to every rule; especially in time of war. But, in the cases of Chapple and Coe there weren't really any exceptions made.
Chapple did a peacetime "PCO cruise" equivalent as XO of TARPON (SS-175) before taking command of S-38...no further PCO cruise in a "P" Class boat required...already done.
Coe did a similar "PCO cruise" equivalent in a "Salmon" Class boat (maybe even the SKIPJACK) while he was on the Staff of ComSubRon 5 (June '39-January '40), before taking command of S-39...again, no further PCO cruise necessary...already done. The Squadron Commander, CAPT John Wilkes, required all of his staff officers to train with, and qualify in, each of the different types of boats in his squadron. Admiral Hart retained him and promoted him partly because of his exceptional understanding of his skippers and their boats.
CAPT Wilkes (promoted to ComSubsAsiatic) was thoroughly familiar with both Chapple and Coe. They both had served a long time in "S" boats of SubRon 5 under his command and he would have had no qualms assigning them to a "new" boat with which they were already completely familiar.
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