In the ocean it's not much different really as in space (or above the water). Passive sensors have a much longer range than active sensors. And they can tell you that something is out there - and depending on the quality of the signal/observation you can tell even more about what may be there. So you can target and fire a weapon at it. However your target will have far more power in its electronics (typically) than any missile or torpedo and can use that to blind, confuse or simply lure it away from what you wanted to hit. That's why active sensors are still used for guidance and command/control of your in-flight birds. It's much harder to be successful in jamming another ship/aircraft that has just as much power as you do, plus it has the advantage of a human operator. Though since we are talking about such long ranges in space, light-speed delays come into the equation as well. Needless to say it can get complicated fast.
I am re-reading David Weber's Honor Harrington series which I feel is a good example of space combat and agrees with your comments.
I hope you don't stop contributing to the discussions. That's not what the boards are about. As far as anyone dismissing your experience, well, that's really more on you than them because if you let them get under your skin, they've succeeded in silencing a voice. And who wants to let people be successful in that???