I guess we are both arguing different points.
While I don't really consider a stint as XO as a "PCO" cruise...(
the focus being on supporting the current captain rather than preparing for your own command)....I do see how such could give you a feeling for the boat in question.
Fair enough.
As mentioned the original question was related to my in-game captain transferring from Sugars to Fleets and wondering about the procedures involved....specifically in the early war period when such transfers took place.
I believe we've covered that pretty well.
Presumably my captain similarly made XO cruises in peacetime prior to the war as well.
In early '42 however...there was little time.
I appreciate all the input and viewpoints.
C'est la guerre.
.
BTW...Im curious as to what reference you used regarding the bios of Coe and Chapple...Id love to review them for more info.
For myself I used the microfilm ships logs of the various boats at this site. : https://issuu.com/hnsa/docs
Tons of great first hand info complete with typos from the original captains.