http://www.npr.org/2016/02/22/467210492/u-s-navy-brings-back-navigation-by-the-stars-for-officers
This one has ER’s name all over it. 
I think its a smart move. Not only do they have a backup, but learning an ancient skill that predates their job is a good way to better their regular job skills. In my own field, it easy to see which drafters had some instruction with t squares and protractors and which started out on CAD. It makes you think differently when you actually have to draw geometry as opposed to typing the polygon command.