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Crimson Tide and Organizational Communication Organizational Communication This 1995 movie that deals with the secretive ways in which the navy's submarines operate to safeguard the interests of the United States and the world overall and the movies storyline is based on the disciplined organizational communication that is required to be effective in this specialized arm of the United States. The main characters in this movie of Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) and his Lt. Commander Hunter (Denzel Washington) aboard the nuclear submarine USS Alabama have with excellence portrayed the clash of wills that is filled with military drama and intrigue. As far as organizational communications are concerned in this clash, we can observe that both are right and both are wrong in their approach to what they assume to be the correct line of action.
Usually contradictions in organizational communications are never an option, but on rare occasions like the one on which this movie is based a whole storyline has been superbly woven with the very thin line between wrong and right being infringed and yet being respected for what it represents. When in the movie the Russian rebels take over a nuclear missile site and refuel it for a possible strike against the United States, tensions are raised under the high seas when an incomplete follow-up message is received that could either confirm a nuclear missile strike or an order to cancel the strike. The importance of the confirmatory follow-up order becomes the main basis of the movie story line because of the fear of the possible Nuclear fallout, upstart Commander Hunter and veteran Captain Ramsey and the other naval officers aboard a Nuclear missile submarine have to go through the turmoil of averting the attack on the United States through how they contradictorily assume the meaning of the incomplete follow-up order. Captain Ramsey believes with conviction that it be the order to launch a strike, while Commander Hunter insists in waiting for required confirmatory message. This ensuing misunderstanding turns into a clash of wills which escalates into mutiny as Ramsey and Hunter fight for control of the Alabama's nuclear missiles. Other scenes in this movie also symbolize the discipline required to not breach the limits of organizational communication in a profession of a submariner under any circumstances, as the chain of commands is based on a hierarchical structure which has to be respected with absolute blind faith even when on a personal level any command may seem counter-productive to the individual carryout the order.
In the scene where a depth gauge that shows the submarine sinking to hull-crushing pressures and it appears inevitable that the sub will be destroyed, the crew members follow the Captains orders without even thinking of revolting in fear of the likely consequences that would possibly arise. Again the tough legendary character of Captain Ramsey known for chewing up his subordinates is also enhanced by his little Jack Russell terrier that is allowed to lift its little leg wherever it pleases. Since this unhygienic practice is related and has the approval at the head of the structured hierarchy, it has to unquestionably and without challenge accepted by the lower rung of the hierarchy structured personnel. Furthermore, when a fire breaks out in the submarine's galley, the captain chooses that moment to order an onboard drill and when Hunter questions the decision, saying he would have attended to the fire first, before calling a drill.
Captain Ramsey replies that he saw the fire as an opportunity to test the ability of his men to function under chaotic conditions. In subtle manners, the discipline that is required to maintain the correct mode of organizational communication has been very cleverly portrayed in this movie, which can in many ways be considered an educational movie in the art of discipline. Please note, although you did not want references, I have included them below in case you or your professor wants to refer to them: web web web web web
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Research essay sample on Nuclear Missile Organizational Communication
