| Author |
Message |
    
Jeffrey G. Carlen
Advanced Member
Username: Jcarlen
Post Number: 295
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 67.235.229.197
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 03:02 am: | |
Leadsman was the guy who swung the leadline and sounded the water depth. Some leads had hollow bottoms filled with wax to pick up bottom samples. |
Doug Skillman
Member
Username: Dskillman
Post Number: 23
Registered: 02-2010
Posted From: 70.33.13.243
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 09:12 pm: | |
Hi Bill,
I think perhaps we are both right. I worked on many a range detail where we had the responsibility of raising the "drawers" before any round could go down range. |
Bill Terry
Senior Member
Username: Bill_terry
Post Number: 671
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 72.216.34.240
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 08:22 pm: | |
Doug, I believe Ed has it right unless they changed it. Maggie's Drawers were for complete target misses. I know cause I got a lot of them on the 500 yard KD (Known Distance) range, and put hundreds of hours in the "pit" marking targets.
The pea coats description reminds me of the wool Army Overcoats I was issued when I first went in. Because of the over coat and the boiled mutton in the mess hall, I have never been able to eat sheep meat. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 220
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 07:29 pm: | |
Anyone know the origin of the term "son of a gun", without Googling it?
How 'bout "leadsman?" |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 112
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 01:41 pm: | |
Once a Flag Officer, always...
Charlie, a new retiree greeter at Walmart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies. One day the boss called him into the office for a talk.
"Charlie, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome."
"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."
''Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear. It's odd though your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Air Force.
What did they say if you came in late there?"
''They said, 'Good morning, General, can I get you coffee, sir?''' |
Hale Lait
Senior Member
Username: Norwich50
Post Number: 880
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 70.232.162.80
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 01:03 pm: | |
The Naval Aviation Pilot (NAP) rating consisted of Chief and First Class only. When you received your wings you were given the rating of CPO. The NAP 1/c rating was to allow for an NAP to be reduced in rank for disciplinary reasons.
Another bygone rating was Turret Captain. |
Doug Skillman
Member
Username: Dskillman
Post Number: 22
Registered: 02-2010
Posted From: 70.33.13.243
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 12:50 am: | |
Ed, in the Army, Maggie's Drawers are hoisted to indicate that a firing range is "hot." |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 219
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 08:13 pm: | |
I remember a Marine R4QU2 landing at Atsugi NAS with a Marine MSGT at the controls. Also knew a couple of mustang naval aviators who had been commissioned from NAP. They flew R4Ds.
Maggies Drawers: Red flag indicating the target was missed completely. |
Mike Spengel
Advanced Member
Username: Mike_sp
Post Number: 362
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 88.31.12.62
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 07:57 pm: | |
OK, guys. I've been holding a sea story in for as long as I can. This last post about enlisted pilots burst my dam.
My first duty station after Navy boot camp in 1958 was Litchfield Park Naval Air Facility, AZ. It was the Navy's boneyard for surplus aircraft prior to DOD consolidation of all military surplus aircraft storage at Davis-Monthan.
Our active duty compliment was under 300. At that time there were about 60 enlisted pilots remaining in the navy; Naval Aviation Pilots or NAPs. Several of them were assigned to Litchfield Park to wring out aircraft brought out of storage for use by other government branches or for sale to foreign governments. They stayed pretty busy dong that but didn't do much else. All that I knew were CPOs but I recall being told that there was one PO1 NAP on active duty somewhere at that time.
Some of these guys taught me the basics of flying in some pretty old aircraft. Eleven years later when I was going through Navy flight training myself that experience stood me in good stead. I still think kindly of those fellows and recall some of the tales they told. Each of them was pretty colorful.
The Marine Corps also had enlisted pilots including some "flying corporals" at one time. I only met one Marine NAP and that was at NAS Memphis. The last NAP to retire, whose name escapes me at the moment, retired from Rota when I was stationed there in the early 70's. |
E.L.Fink
Intermediate Member
Username: Yahootie
Post Number: 136
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 75.247.119.250
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 03:04 pm: | |
In the Navy, I have seen E-6's as captains of bay tugs. I would imagine the USCG has the same.
At one time, I flew from Puerto Rico to Jax on a DC-3, during the days of enlisted aviators, which had an E-7 as the pilot and a commander as the co-pilot.
elf |
Doug Skillman
Member
Username: Dskillman
Post Number: 21
Registered: 02-2010
Posted From: 70.33.13.243
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 11:43 am: | |
Here's one from my days: "Maggie's Drawers" |
Barton Pepper
Advanced Member
Username: Barpep
Post Number: 305
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 173.58.23.7
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 03:24 am: | |
Irish pennant - my CO in the SeaBees declared that the term, Irish pennant, another term for an item of clothing or attire adrift on the deck or bunk or whatever, should not be used any longer. "That is an ethnic slur, Chaplain!" |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 111
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 01:02 am: | |
Peacoat:
In the days long ago, a navy peacoat weighed about the same as a flat car load of cinder blocks. When it rained, it absorbed water until your spine warped, your shins cracked and your ankles split. Five minutes standing in the rain waiting on a bus and you felt like you were piggy-backing the statue of liberty. When a peacoat got wet, it smelled a lot like sheep dip.
In the old days, peacoat buttons and grocery cart wheels were interchangeable parts. The gear issued by the U.S. Navy was tough as hell, bluejacket-tested clothing with the durability of rhino hide and construction equipment tires.
Peacoats came with wide, heavy collars. In a cold, hard wind, you could turn that wide collar up to cover your neck and it was like poking your head in a tank turret.
Every sailor remembers stretching out on one of those oak bus station pews with his raghat over his face, his head up against his AWOL bag and covered with his peacoat.
In Washington DC, they have a wonderful marble and granite plaza honoring the United States Navy. The focal point of this memorial is a bronze statue of a lone American sailor. No crow on his sleeve tells you that he is non-rated. The lad has his collar turned up and his hands in his pockets. Peacoats... One of God's better inventions. |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 110
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 09:23 pm: | |
Excerpt from a Flag Officer's comments at a CPO pinning ceremony not too long ago:
"Each of you is a specialist in your field. There is no one, officer or enlisted who has been where you have been, or done what you have done. Draw upon this experience. Choose your battles carefully. But never back down when your arguments are sound.
"You will, no doubt, encounter the prototypical 'Salty' Ensign. He will be your nemesis. He will assert his authority. And you will support him. But after quarters is done, you will seek him out and attempt to set him right. If he is potentially a good naval officer, he will listen to you. If he is wise, he will seek your council. If he is none of these things it is your responsibility… indeed, it is your duty to confront him, and the consequences be damned. You must, when the time comes, be willing to put everything on the line.
"I had it put to me, in no uncertain terms, from a grizzled old Chief Boatswain's Mate, when I was a young First Lieutenant. 'Sir,' he said. 'Let me put it this way. I am a Chief Petty Officer. I will retire as a Chief Petty Officer. Nothing that you can say or do will change that fact. My career is winding down. Your career is just starting. This makes me a very dangerous person. I can do you a whole lot more damage than you can do me. Do we understand each other?'
"I charge each of you to emulate my old Chief. In my career, I can think of no individual, officer or enlisted, who had the impact that he did. I consider him both my mentor, and my friend. I went on to learn from him, not just about his rate, but about life, leadership, and responsibility. Often, to this day, when I encounter a problem I'll ask myself, 'What would the Chief have said?'" |
Jesse Hinson
Advanced Member
Username: Seagull
Post Number: 270
Registered: 08-2007
Posted From: 98.82.189.60
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 07:21 pm: | |
A former neighbor, a Navy nurse, once told a seaman the only thing higher thant GOD is a Master Chief!!
Elane |
Karol Stanley
Intermediate Member
Username: Stanlekv
Post Number: 83
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 184.1.133.80
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 06:02 pm: | |
I had to check in with the Master Chief at Norfolk once. There was a big sign on the wall, "The Master Chief is working, when the Master Chief is not working, he is busy". |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 109
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 05:45 pm: | |
You got it, Jimmy. In the Navy, "Chief" is all you need. Although there are also Senior Chiefs (E8) and Master Chiefs (E9), those grades largely exist just to keep up with the other services. A Command Master (or Senior) Chief is akin to the 1stSgt billet, but he never gets his hands dirty and swaggers around calling everybody "shipmate" because he never took the time to learn anyone's name. He seldom really DOES anything <G>
Yes, the Navy runs on its Chiefs, whatever their pay grade. They are the grease that allows the wheels to turn --- they also can screw the pooch big-time if they don't get the job done. God Bless 'em all. |
Hale Lait
Senior Member
Username: Norwich50
Post Number: 878
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 70.232.162.80
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 03:26 pm: | |
Keep in mind that a submarine is often referred to as a boat. The CO of a submarine is typically a CDR, O-5.
In an a/c with a pilot, ACC- Aircraft Commander and co-pilot, AACC-Assistant Aircraft Commander, the ACC position is determined by time in type of aircraft not rank.
In 1964 when I was at NAS Kodiak, there was a Chief Aviation Machinist Mate who had earned his Wings of Gold during WWII, who would regularly fly with the Admiral, Commander Alaskan Sea Frontier, also a rated pilot, in the station Beechcraft. The Chief had much more time in type than the Admiral and would be the ACC. The usual procedure when they flew together was for the Chief to offer the Admiral the left-hand seat. On alternating flights the Admiral declined and the Chief was the ACC. It was interesting to watch. |
jimmy
Member
Username: Jrowland
Post Number: 9
Registered: 05-2010
Posted From: 66.8.198.193
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 02:56 pm: | |
One of the interesting things I learned when I was on my joint assignment was the Army First Sergeant position.
In the AF, the First Sergeant position is a duty position, and doesn't reflect rank. You must be a MSgt (E-7) (no higher, no lower) to qualify to be a 1Sgt, but once you are a 1sgt, you can be promoted to E8/9 and still maintain your duty position as a 1sgt. Typical "tours" in the duty of 1sgt are 4 years, during which you can be moved from unit to unit, deployed, or even PCSed to another base, but you'll always be performing 1sgt duties. During these 4 years, you are also competing for promotion against all other 1sgts in the AF, making it MUCH tougher to get promoted than the normal competition against your career field peers. After 4 years, you can request to remain a 1sgt, or go back to your regular career field.
The Army 1sgt position can only be held by an E-8. Also, you now have the "rank" of First Sergeant, as opposed to Master Sergeant (also an E-8). USAF 1sgts still maintain the "rank" of Master Sergeant (E-7), even though both the USAF and the Army each put a diamond in their chevrons to denote being a 1sgt.
The typical nickname for an AF 1sgt is "First Shirt", or, more commonly, just "shirt". (anyone serving in the position as a fill-in, who is not actually a diamond-wearing 1sgt, is called an "under shirt"). The Army's nickname is "top", although I've read that it can also be "first shirt", "top hat", "top sergeant", or a host of other terms starting with "top".
The duties are also slightly different. The Army 1SG is the ranking NCO of the Company or Battalion, and is directly in the chain of command. The AF 1sgt is never in the chain of command, and is rarely the most-senior NCO. His or her duties are the well being of all enlisted personnel, including those of higher grade, and he reports directly to the unit commander. The AF 1sgt can serve in any available billet, with any unit. The Army 1SG stays with his/her MOS (an Infantry soldier becomes an Infantry 1SG).
I've read about the US Marines 1stSgt, and understand it is different yet than either the Army's or the AF's, but I have no experience there. It seems slightly closer to the Army's version in comparison, as more of a leadership position than an "advisory" position.
And of course, the Navy's Chief Petty Officer does all the above and more! ;^) |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 218
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 02:06 pm: | |
Joe:
Well, an 0-1 can be a Captain, but an 0-6 would not necessarily be a Captain.
An 0-3 could be a Mister but an 0-2 could be a Captain.
When would an 0-4 command a ship while an 0-5 would command a boat?
In the Naval Service, when would an 0-4 outrank a Captain? |
JOE KIRKPATRICK
Member
Username: Jkirkpatrick
Post Number: 16
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 97.201.91.118
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 12:55 pm: | |
There are several ranks in the Navy that are also positions (jobs). Example; a Captain can be an O6 or someone in charge of the boat. lets see what you fellow shipmates do with this one. |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 108
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 10:06 pm: | |
jimmy:
WELCOME! Never too young, never a FNG! Your Sea Stories are always welcome. I see by your IP address that you're stateside again - so we're all glad that you're back from the "sands" and are able to participate on this board. Thanks for your service...even if you are a "zoomie"! |
jimmy
Member
Username: Jrowland
Post Number: 8
Registered: 05-2010
Posted From: 132.3.1.68
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:49 pm: | |
I might be a tad young to jump into this conversation (still active, 17 years in)... but I did recently do a tour in Iraq with a joint unit. Learning all of the different service languages was a challenge, but fun... and good, too, as we do more and more in the joint environment.
I'm Air Force enlisted, and the other services used the term "Zoomie" for me - as in, "Hey, Zoomie, what do you think of this?"
Some of my lessons learned: Never EVER call a Marine NCO by the generic term, Sergeant. An Army NCO "is not a sir, or a ma'am, because they work for a living"... not just something you see on TV - a female E-8 locked me up and lit into me for saying, "Yes, ma'am" when she asked me a question. It is quite possible to play "Bingo" with the Navy rates - my section was mostly composed of AF and Army, and we had a great game where we'd call the other sections that were heavy with Navy personnel. We'd see who could gather the most letters and numbers when they answered the phone "IT2 Smith", or "PAC Jones".
I've also been in Squadrons where we routinely sent the new guys (FNGs) around to the various shops to gather things we "needed" - 100 yards of flight line, 20 gallons of prop wash, etc. So, those terms (and gags) are still in use. It was an unwritten rule that when someone showed up at your area looking for 100yds of flight line, that you made up some excuse for not having it on hand and send them on to another section... keeping the young kid occupied for the entire day sometimes. Unless you were ornery enough to fill up 4 or 5 mop buckets with "prop wash" from the tap, and snicker as the poor guy tried to get it all back to his assinged section without spilling it. |
Karol Stanley
Intermediate Member
Username: Stanlekv
Post Number: 82
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 184.1.133.80
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 02:52 pm: | |
As an ex "Wheels" and "Skivvy Waver" we had to know the "International Book of Signals". The rate has bounced back and forth between QM and SM. I believe it is now back to QM. Many of the flag signals Are in the lingo such as Bravo Zulu (good job) and Delta Sierra Dumb Shit). |
Denny Knott
Senior Member
Username: Degause01
Post Number: 1458
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 98.183.26.167
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 02:35 pm: | |
Joseph asked about Air Force types, they were called
"Fliegers" in Germany which translates to "flyers". |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 105
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 02:30 pm: | |
Indeed - except that the Skivvie-Waver (Signalman) rate went to the Quartermasters (Quarter-Guesser or Wheels) back a few years ago. Not much difference -- neither one ever got their hands dirty!!
 |
E.L.Fink
Intermediate Member
Username: Yahootie
Post Number: 134
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 206.180.152.73
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 02:06 pm: | |
Ha! John would make a good skivvy-waver!
elf |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 103
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 11:01 pm: | |
OK - for those for whom the suspense is just too much:
"Oscar" is indeed a Man Overboard Drill dummy that is thrown over the side with no notice to test the response of the watch team. A 6000 ton ship just doesn't stop on a dime, so the ship must be maneuvered quickly to try to return to the spot in the ocean where Oscar was first noticed going over the side. Of course, this presumes that Oscar was noticed at all -- many Oscars are still treading water out there somewhere!
The maneuver most frequently used to re-trace the ship's route is known as the "Williamson Turn", so named for a young naval officer, John Williamson, who published the technique in 1943.
For more than you want to know, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_overboard_rescue_turn |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 102
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 06:29 pm: | |
HA! Good show, John! #1 is indeed the answer. The bonus remains -- with apologies to our friend "ed" at 76.114.109.206, but he is not the "Mr. Williamson" in the question. The fact that my post immediately followed his was pure coincidence -- but it was misleading, I'll grant you. |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 2734
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 06:20 pm: | |
Jim:
Oscar has three Navy meanings: (1) The dummy used for man overboard drills. (2) The international signal flag hoisted for "man overboard". (3) Phonetic alphabet for "O.". I suspect you were looking for meaning #1. Only a guess but did ed spend some time overboard?
Happy travels, John |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 101
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 05:27 pm: | |
"Oscar" has served prominently on probably every ship in the fleet. But he frequently mis-steps and ends up in the water. Who is "Oscar"?
Bonus point: How is "Oscar" related to a certain "Mr. Williamson"? |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 216
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 04:36 pm: | |
Anyone ever stand the mail bouy watch?
How 'bout cleaning the tanks on an AO on the way home? Only the XO and CO were exempt. |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 2732
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 04:24 pm: | |
elf:
A-5
Wikipedia is your friend:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-5_Vigilante
John |
E.L.Fink
Intermediate Member
Username: Yahootie
Post Number: 132
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 206.180.152.73
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 04:12 pm: | |
Before the unified armed services designations, Naval Aviation had the C-zero-W, B-one-R-D, along with the AD, A3, A4, F4 type aricraft.
Does anybody know what designator the Vigilante was?
elf |
E.L.Fink
Intermediate Member
Username: Yahootie
Post Number: 131
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 206.180.152.73
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 04:05 pm: | |
Then there is the bos'n (boatswain), bos'n mate, cox'n (coxswain), cox'n mate, black-shoe, and - - - - - - .
Then one could be sent after 10 foot of water-line or steam-line.
elf |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 2721
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 03:25 pm: | |
"Ring-knocker" (hopefully the Zoomies won't be too mad at me). |
JOE KIRKPATRICK
Member
Username: Jkirkpatrick
Post Number: 15
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 97.40.105.151
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 12:34 pm: | |
I was an Airdale, even numbered chief, and a p3 sailor. We had gallons of propwash and 50 yds. of flightline. We flew at zero dark 30. We had beer machines in the barracks, and reported to the wing weenie. |
Jack T. Paxton
Senior Member
Username: Jpaxton
Post Number: 858
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 24.27.231.67
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 09:52 am: | |
I tried to stay out of this but some of you need to be grabbed by your "stacking swivels" for all of the "grabass going on. For non-Marines, the stacking swivels were on the M-1 rifles and you stacked arms by joining two others to yours by their stacking swivels. Wednesday afternoon "grabass" was organized athletics at some posts. Some of us oldtimers also are referred to as "brown shoe" Marines because in the early 50s the Marines purchased light brown shoes from the Navy and we were required to burn-in cordovan-colored dye before starting the spit-shine process. Semper Fi |
E.L.Fink
Intermediate Member
Username: Yahootie
Post Number: 126
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 75.247.200.64
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 03:25 am: | |
Well, there is the nose-picker, twiggit, skivvy stacker, and sky-pilot.
Know anymore?
elf |
Chuck F
Member
Username: Snipe
Post Number: 32
Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 68.1.96.12
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 03:11 am: | |
Junior Bird Men.
Chuck F. |
Irwin Rovner
Senior Member
Username: Irovner
Post Number: 429
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 66.32.73.113
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 01:10 am: | |
I knew a Coastie who referred to fly-types as "zoomies." |
Joseph Knight Jr.
Intermediate Member
Username: Cougarfan45
Post Number: 80
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 68.59.33.213
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 06:56 pm: | |
In addition to being called "Fat Albert", C-5s were referred to as "FORD"s (Fix Or Repair Daily) or, more commonly, FRED"s (------- Ridiculous Economical Disaster)...all in good fun, of course. <Joe CHS>
If Navy people are called "Swabbies", Marines are called "Jarheads", and Army soldiers are called "Grunts", what are Air Force members called? (I'm really leaving myself wide open on this one, I know) |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 90
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 04:26 pm: | |
When Kara Hultgreen "called the ball", she got a "Roger Ball", then yawed, rolled left, ejected a split second after her RIO. But she had rolled too far left and ejected straight into the water and died immediately upon impact. The RIO lived. Left eng failure or pilot error or both? We may never know the truth. |
Charlie S
Intermediate Member
Username: Avcm
Post Number: 137
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 76.109.41.57
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 03:24 pm: | |
Roger Ball |
Denny Knott
Senior Member
Username: Degause01
Post Number: 1450
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 98.183.26.167
| | Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2010 - 07:17 pm: | |
I hope you let CINCUSNAVHOUSE know in advance |
Charlie S
Intermediate Member
Username: Avcm
Post Number: 134
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 76.109.41.57
| | Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2010 - 05:58 pm: | |
Another ramp watch done at NORIS. Grabbin the nickel snatcher and headin for NAS Home Plate. |
Kenneth C. Arthurs
Member
Username: Kcarthurs
Post Number: 14
Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 71.22.41.221
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 06:38 pm: | |
Believe Gearing Class destroyers were referred to as 2250's not 2600. |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 82
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 02:09 pm: | |
Right you are, Chuck.
2100's were FLETCHER (DD-445) class and had single 5" gun mounts (and no inboard passageway). If you worked in the after engine room, you had to come up to the weather deck to get any place else on the ship. When we were MED deployed, we often had to change into undress whites just to get to the mess decks!
2200's were ALLAN M. SUMNER (DD-692) class (short hull) and had dual 5" gun mounts.
2600's were GEARING (DD-710) class, similar to SUMNER, but with 15' extra length composed of an additional fuel tank between fwd engine room and after fireroom.
Those Gearing's that survived WWII were eventually FRAM'd to delete MT-53 in favor of a small DASH helo deck and aluminum superstructure.
Little known fact: USS Hazelwood (DD-531) was the only FLETCHER to be FRAM'd (as a test platform) and was never fully seaworthy after that because the superstructure was steel instead of aluminum. The combined weight of the steel superstructure and the DASH deck made her terribly top heavy and she wallowed in a seaway like an LST. I rode her out of Boston for ten days as we searched for the THRESHER after that terrible trajedy. |
Chuck F
Member
Username: Snipe
Post Number: 31
Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 68.1.96.12
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 01:00 pm: | |
EARL: The BIG BIG difference between a 2100 and all the other destroyers built was the 2100 didn't have an inboard passageway. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 213
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 11:16 am: | |
Chuck: USS SAMUEL N. MOORE (DD-747)The "Slammin Sammy". Extra ton, she was 2200 tons before the Nationalist Chinese turned her into razor blades and cheap knives. |
Chuck F
Member
Username: Snipe
Post Number: 30
Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 68.1.96.12
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 05:41 am: | |
Anyone else ever ride a 21 hundred ton greyhound?
Chuck F. |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 81
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 02:19 am: | |
"Liberty Launch" (one of my favorites):
http://www.olgoat.com/substuff/dex185.htm |
Bill Gast
Advanced Member
Username: Actionwriter
Post Number: 198
Registered: 12-2008
Posted From: 96.8.222.198
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 01:49 am: | |
:::::; Ed Said ;"Ropeyarn Wednesday was originally intended as a time to repair uniforms and do other personal chores. I believe, haven't researched, the term came from using the smallest part of a line (rope) to sew with."
Right--that was when we got rid of all the "Irish Pennants" protruding from the clothing which distracted the inspecting officer from checking your "Gig Line" that was always in line. |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 80
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 12:16 am: | |
Time to resurrect this thread. Submitted herewith, the term "slush fund". For one of the finest definitions I've ever seen, click http://www.olgoat.com/substuff/dex26.htm
Brother Armstrong is one of the best authors of Navy lore on the internet today. Keeps me chuckling, remembering the old days. |
John D.
Moderator
Username: John_d
Post Number: 4530
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 95.208.80.143
| | Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 03:44 pm: | |
http://bluejacket.com/sea-service_tradition.htm#J |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 205
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 03:13 pm: | |
John: That was quick!
You can pick up your pastry with your midrats. |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 2658
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 03:06 pm: | |
Ed:
Jack o' the Dust was the person in charge of breaking out provisions for the food service operation. Originates with the British Navy. "Jack," a Royal Navy sailor, who worked in the bakery and was covered with flour dust. Also, "Dusty."
Happy Travels, John |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 204
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 02:02 pm: | |
Jack of the dust.
First one to come up with the definition get a freshly backed pastry. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 187
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 09:49 am: | |
John R: If I recall correctly, drawing a dead horse was only available to a sailor under permanent change of station orders.
Jim H's post on the Big O caused me to remember the locker clubs in San Diego and Long Beach. Before enlisted, E-6 and below, were allowed to have civies on board these clubs provided a place to store civilian clothing, purchased from the west coast equivalents of the Big O.
And, liberty cards. Anyone remember them? When I was a deck ape my First Class Bosn's Mate kept them and, even though a Sailor might be in the liberty section, decided whether your work and behavior warranted going ashore. No appeal. |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 53
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 02:06 am: | |
John:
Close! "The Big O" was a clothing and uniform store selling "tailor-mades" of all types: gabardine, sharkskin, Seafarers, pre-tied neckerchiefs and all manner of really-bad-taste civvies. Most uniform items would never pass inspection, budt you saved up for months to buy a gabardine jumper with a zipper up the side and fnacy multi-color embroidery on the inside of each cuff. The Big-O was just outside Gate 2 at NOB, as I remember. |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 2593
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 01:48 am: | |
Jim:
"The Big-O"...are you referring to the beer joint on Hampton Blvd outside the gate of Destroyer / Submarine Piers (D&S piers)?
BTW...you can find anything on the net...only, just don't limit yourself to Google.
Happy travels, John |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 52
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 01:40 am: | |
Where many a Dead Horse ended up:
 |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 2592
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 01:35 am: | |
Jeffery:
"Draw a Dead Horse"
This needs a bit of historical explanation. Sailors would arrive
in harbor, and spend all their wages long before the ship left.
This was somewhat depressing, since somehow most of the
"attractions" of the port would NOT take credit . . . and so the
custom of ``drawing on a dead horse'', or drawing a month's wages
in advance, came into being. I'm told that this still exists in
the US Navy.
Happy travels, John |
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 51
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 01:21 am: | |
I once drew a Dead Horse to pay off the "Big-O".
Hint: "You Can Owe the Big-O". Only a D&S Piers sailor would know that one...and Google won't help you. |
John David Brooks
Advanced Member
Username: Johnb6597
Post Number: 392
Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 121.55.235.75
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 12:42 am: | |
Thanks, Sheila! I learn something new every day! |
Jeffrey G. Carlen
Advanced Member
Username: Jcarlen
Post Number: 289
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 70.174.46.22
| | Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 12:20 am: | |
Anyone ever draw a dead horse? |
Sheila Dunn
Advanced Member
Username: Sheila_dunn
Post Number: 217
Registered: 08-2008
Posted From: 174.102.3.201
| | Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2010 - 11:46 pm: | |
Clerk In Training. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 182
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 06:58 pm: | |
Jim: Roger that! No, never did, don't remember anyone getting six, six and a kick on any of my ships. Happened ashore though.
I thought the old dungarees worked just fine. They didn't require ironing, at least at sea, and stains on the pants didn't stand out. |
Jim Hunt
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 50
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 06:33 pm: | |
When you were at the Lucky Bag, did you pick up a couple of DC'd dungaree shirts? The right price, but the red DC stencil stood out like a sore thumb. But still better than today's blue cammies!! Is this guy a sailor or a sanitation worker? Then again, it beats Zumwalt's "wrinklies with combination cap"...gawd, they were awful.
 |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 181
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 05:33 pm: | |
No, but I remember going to the Lucky Bag to beg the boats for my gear back after I left it adrift on my rack. (Only cost me two hours extra duty.)
Guess I missed out the rain locker but I remember 3 minute showers when we'd pumped all of our fresh water to a couple of small boys and our distallation plant was slow. |
Joe Joyce
Advanced Member
Username: Joejoyce
Post Number: 151
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 199.224.21.254
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 02:41 pm: | |
Do any other sailors remember anyone saying they were headed to the "rain locker" (shower)? |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 180
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 02:37 pm: | |
Thanks John. My education continues. |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 2582
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 02:12 pm: | |
ed:
In the Air Force, USAFA grads are known as "Zoomies" ...since they graduated from the "Zoo"...check out Wikipedia for "Zoomie"...it brings you to the USAFA page.
Just a difference of the service's lingo. John |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 179
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 10:02 am: | |
Ah, the famous Z-Grams, known in some quarters as Zoomies. This could open a whole new thread. One of his first acts, when as a VADM, he became COMNAVFORV, was the creation of Z-Grams. As they say, the rest is history, long hair, sideburns and all. Of course those edicts came down after he became CNO.
Relating to another thread, I believe when he became CNO he did keep the welfare of his Sailors very much in mind, misguided though some of his actions were he very definitely meant well.
I'd like to have him back, or perhaps 31-Knot Burke. |
Wanda Seals
Senior Member
Username: Whstravel
Post Number: 724
Registered: 07-2007
Posted From: 69.153.10.82
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 02:22 am: | |
Can't believe I started this thread - but guess I have learned a lot. Overall, it seems the navy has a more colorful lingo than the other services.
I do remember my (now dead) Navy brother informed me of the diffence between a BOAT and a SHIP. 'Tis a shame he's no longer around. He and his USS Ranger pals wrote many Z-Gram spoofs which were hilarious! He did four West-Pac tours. Roland - RIP!
Ciao/Wanda |
Bill Terry
Senior Member
Username: Bill_terry
Post Number: 649
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 72.216.27.70
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 06:16 pm: | |
Guess it doesn't matter anymore but how many Army & Marines here have been chastised for mis-speaking rifle/gun?
"This is my rifle, this is my gun, this is for killing, this is for fun"
And punishment for that infraction was 25 push ups with the weapon on the back of the hands (not allowed to touch the dirt) or squat jumps ( now abolished) with weapon at high port (over the head) |
Jim Hunt
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 12:29 am: | |
Oops!. Maybe the moderator can delete/correct so we can get back on track? Then the rest of us could proof a little better before sending... |
John David Brooks
Advanced Member
Username: Johnb6597
Post Number: 382
Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 121.55.235.75
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 12:03 am: | |
Spent almost 21 years in the Army and only knew one meaning for "clit". If there's another, I'd like to learn it. |
Sheila Dunn
Advanced Member
Username: Sheila_dunn
Post Number: 216
Registered: 08-2008
Posted From: 174.102.3.201
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 - 09:33 pm: | |
Oh my gosh! You all have made me laugh all day-It is so fun recalling the language of the Army. Here's a few I can remember.
Top, leg, clit, blanket part, GI party, latrine, gig line, mess hall, SOS.
All terms of endearment-music to the ears. |
Charlie S
Intermediate Member
Username: Avcm
Post Number: 131
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 76.109.41.57
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 - 05:23 pm: | |
I have lost the bubble on this thread. Guess I'll secure for the day and go topside to see if it's bright or dark. |
Jim Hunt
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 47
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 10:06 pm: | |
That brings up a REALLY old tradition. Back in the day, sideboys saluted with the hand farthest from the one being honored; the sailors on the left saluted with their right hand, those on the right saluted with their left hand. And, of course, the bos'n mate saluted with his left as he held his pipe in his right. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 170
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 08:36 pm: | |
I haven't read anything about sideboys yet, so here is an illustration:
Well, there was going to be one, but I can't seem to make paste work. If anyone knows how, speak up and I put it on.
Oh, and Cherry C.: I was there just before y'all, although at COMSERVPAC. |
Leland
Senior Member
Username: Leland
Post Number: 6194
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 98.218.147.237
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 05:34 pm: | |
An after-action report written in May 1945 by the CO of a heavy mortar battalion on Leyte noted that the infantry was not inclined to accept short rounds philosophically. Bubbles are important little things. |
Chaplaingil
Member
Username: Chaplaingil
Post Number: 31
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 138.162.8.58
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 04:57 pm: | |
Leland,
Amen, as you can tell I'm just a little off.
But, I also would not mind calling out "Section, deflection" one more time.
Blessings,
Chaps |
Leland
Senior Member
Username: Leland
Post Number: 6191
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 98.218.147.237
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 03:30 pm: | |
Ordinarily I decline to engage in lingo discussions, but as a mortarman (infantry indirect fire, technically) I have to comment that leveling (or centering) bubbles is what you do to mortar and artillery sights to ensure level. The famous "double bubble trouble" will have you dropping large rounds in places other than you intended. |
Chaplaingil
Member
Username: Chaplaingil
Post Number: 30
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 138.162.8.57
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 02:56 pm: | |
Jim,
Aye, Aye on the prayer! One just went up.
Missed the mark on the other however. |
Jim Hunt
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 46
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 02:11 pm: | |
Great post, Padre!
I would guess "turns off center" and "bubbles no level" would refer to sighting a rifle? How'd I do? I refuse to look it up...that'd be too easy.
I would ask a favor: I was in Newport RI the other day and took a ride past old Pier 1 where the ex-USS Forrestal and ex-USS Saratoga are berthed awaiting mothballing or scrapping. As I drove past the grand old ladies, I could swear I heard a 1MC go off: "Fire, Fire, Fire in Hangar Bay 3 - away the rapid response team". Beacuse we used to call Forrestal the "Forest Fire", it didn't surprise me, but brought back some serious memories of the more than 130 sailors who died in 1967 on her flight deck when John McCain's A-4 was struck by a Zuni rocket, starting a conflagration that became a case-study in fighting shipboard fires. I was on board the plane-guard destroyer; it was a scene I will never forget. My favor: please remember them all in your prayers. I do. |
Chaplaingil
Member
Username: Chaplaingil
Post Number: 29
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 206.39.250.30
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 01:39 pm: | |
Love this!!
But I'd better stop "Skylarking" (lofting) and "turn two" (get to work) before they "pipe" (make an announcement) "GQ" (General Quarter/Battle Stations) or the XO has me "Field Day" (cleaning) my office as “EMI” (Extra Military Instruction) before he allows me to go on "Liberty" (have a time off).
Maybe some of you who served in the less than colorful branches of Service, (just trying to “Spin you up” (make you respond)) with some of your specific language.
And I’ll add from my Army Days, yes I’m “a couple of turns off center” or my “bubbles aren’t level”. I’ll not explain those hoping for a response.
Have a Fine Navy Day Shipmates, as I head forward to the “Dirty Shirt Wardroom” (the forward WR where flight deck clothing is allowed) for a cup of Joe (Coffee). Not really “Haze Gary and Underway” (at sea) but love to “Shift Colors” (get underway) one more time before I retire in Aug.
“V/R” (Very Respectfully),
“Chaps” (Chaplain) "Choose your Rate, choose your Fate" (pick your job, decides what kind and how much work you do and under what conditions). |
Cherry C.
Senior Member
Username: Cherry
Post Number: 6299
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 71.163.18.160
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 11:41 am: | |
To confirm Ed's last sentence, when my husband was stationed at CINCPACFLT (at Pearl Harbor) -- admittedly, long ago; 1968-70 --they had Wednesday afternoons off and worked on Saturday morning.
We always thought it was so the senior staff could get in a round of golf mid-week (they certainly were not mending their uniforms during that time) but for us it was a benefit because it did mean my husband could watch our 2 pre-school aged children while I made a Commissary run that was made far more efficient without the presence of "helpers" in the shopping cart or the expense of leaving them at the Child Care Center while I shopped. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 169
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 11:18 am: | |
Ropeyarn Wednesday was originally intended as a time to repair uniforms and do other personal chores. I believe, haven't researched, the term came from using the smallest part of a line (rope) to sew with.
Even ashore, at many commands, the schedule called for working a half day on Saturday and being off Wednesday afternoon. |
Jim Hunt
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 44
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2010 - 05:12 pm: | |
Ray -
you got it. In the destroyer Navy, we used to observe Ropeyarn Wednesdays up unitl about 1966 or so, when giving up Sat morning for Wed afternoon became too difficult for all the young sailors who were married and wanted a full weekend off (a "72"). It was about that same time that married guys got a big pay increase in allowance for dependents and they were lining up at the Base Chapel with pay chits in hand! And if your ship was in three-section duty, you only had one in three full weekends to begin with. Trouble is, some of those "pay chit brides" were marrying more than one sailor ... hopefully in different duty sections! <G> |
Dakota Ray
Senior Member
Username: Rhammer
Post Number: 434
Registered: 05-2007
Posted From: 69.62.147.217
| | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2010 - 12:07 am: | |
Thanks Jim,
I need all the help that I can get about these phrases. I have not heard about many of them and I worked for the Navy for several years.
I did do a Google Search and found this http://www.tpub.com/content/administration/12966/css/12966_381.htm
Is it close??
Keep them coming. |
Jim Hunt
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 43
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 10:44 pm: | |
actually, the term is "Rope Yarn Sunday", but it's really Wednesday! Confused? Stay tuned... |
Jim Hunt
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 42
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 10:32 pm: | |
Ed -
B&W (P&P) can only be awarded if a brig facility is available for the 3 days' confinement, with adequate monitoring available. My days on destroyers saw many B&W "awards", very few of which were actually served unless we were in port and a tender or larger ship with a brig was available. But even if the time is not actually served, a B&W stint is a sure "veto" on the next advancement/selection cycle. Too many sailors never learned that lesson.
Let's keep this thread going ...
For example, how about "Ropeyarn Wednesday"...anyone? If you have the answer, please explain in full for Dakota Ray and others. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 168
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 10:22 pm: | |
How 'bout p... and punk?
Spent 11 years, 5 ships, on actual sea duty and can recall only one Sailor being "awarded" that punishment at Captain's Mast (Article 15). Don't recall the offense, but it must have really upset the skipper because three days on bread and water cannot be pleasant. |
Dakota Ray
Senior Member
Username: Rhammer
Post Number: 433
Registered: 05-2007
Posted From: 69.62.147.217
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 08:37 pm: | |
Hi Jim,
Thanks for clearing that up!!!
It was a comment that I had not heard before.
I am sure that every service has phrases or comments that confuse others but I think the Navy has more than others.
What an interesting thread!!
Happy Trails!! I am happy to have all the info provided by other services. |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 41
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 08:07 pm: | |
Sorry, Dakota...
It's probably not fair to "lose" anyone, just so we can prove how "salty" we really are in our dotage. I'll promise to provide explanation and/or definition whenever appropriate in the future, if others will do the same.
Your reference for Charley (sic) Noble was incomplete, as it did not explain the origin of the term. Quoting http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/trivia03.htm:
"Charlie Noble is an "it," not a "he." A British merchant service captain, Charles Noble, is said to be responsible for the origin, about 1850, of this nickname for the galley smokestack. It seems that Captain Noble, discovering that the stack of his ship's galley was made of copper, ordered that it be kept bright. The ship's crew then started referring to the stack as the "Charley Noble"."
So obviously, sailors like us are truly "salty" , whereas our brothers (and sisters) in the other services have led rather mundane and probably terribly boring existences. |
Dakota Ray
Senior Member
Username: Rhammer
Post Number: 432
Registered: 05-2007
Posted From: 69.62.147.217
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 07:10 pm: | |
You Guys totally lost me at Charlie Noble!
I did a little research and found this link.
Hopefully it explains things.
http://www.commanderbob.com/art27.html |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 167
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 02:28 pm: | |
In another thread: Dining Facility Availability, the subject of Dining Faclity vs Mess Hall or Chow Hall was brought up.
This reminded me of the first three months on my first ship (USS TALUGA AO-62)part of which you may have shaved with this morning or even have a knife made from her.
Anyway that first three months was spent as a Mess Cook which involved getting up very, very early, even earlier than "o dark thirty" and helping the cooks prep for breakfast, then go to the scullery and wash all the tin trays followed by back to the galley to be a pot wholloper for the cooking and serving utensils, then back to the "mess deck" to clean the tables and deck. Repeated until the conclusion of supper and finally knocking off around 2000.
The only redeeming feature was that we spent most of those months, in the winter, steaming off the coast of Korea providing NSFO (Navy Standard Fuel Oil)and AVGAS to TF 77. It was colder than the proverbial witches t... and the mess decks were a whole lot warmer, and drier, than the weather decks where the "deck apes" "turned too."
The last month of the three I was assigned to the Goat Locker (Chief's Quarters) and since we only had about a dozen hats it was like a vacation. At the time I would have been willing to spend my entire kiddy cruise (minority enlistment) in the Goat Locker.
And, finally, do any of you old dixie cup wearing sailors remember this being piped over the lMC: "Now knock off ship's work, stand clear of the mess decks until pipe down. Sweepers man your brooms, get a clean sweep down fore and aft." Followed shortly by: "Dinner is served in the wardroom. Mess gear, mess gear, supper for the crew." |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 40
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 07:50 pm: | |
L.E. - good one! Funny how the Smoking Lamp is always lit for good old Charlie Noble 
and Ed - your're right; that DOES seem strange! |
DAVIS, L. E.
Senior Member
Username: Ldavis
Post Number: 492
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 173.24.183.1
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 02:24 pm: | |
Is Charlie Noble still around? |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 166
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 01:42 pm: | |
Jim H.: You betcha! And how about the cattle cars at Subic?
Those "wrinkle necks" were carp and some of them grew to great size. My ship underwent an overhaul in Portland, Oregon, in a commercial shipyard, back in the sixties and we were quartered on a barge tied up alongside. Since Portland was a great liberty call, anyone who was there will recall all of the women's colleges, most ran out of money rather quickly. To relieve the boredom we'd tie a piece of any kind of food on a line and catch them. No hook needed. Of course we threw 'em right back. Seems strange now, but it was something to do. |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 38
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 01:19 pm: | |
...or "wrinkle necks" -- the nasty little fish that hung around the scuppers (overboard sewage discharge pipes) so much that they got wrinkles on the backs of their necks from looking up all the time. Of course, you could only see them when at anchor!
There is an alternate definition, but not appropriate for publication here. |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 37
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 01:13 pm: | |
How many fellow members of the "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" remember the carrier sailor's lament: "Liberty but No Boats"?? |
Karol Stanley
Intermediate Member
Username: Stanlekv
Post Number: 81
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 184.1.133.80
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 11:57 am: | |
I believe the Blue Angels still refer to their jet assisted C-130 support plane as "FAT ALBERT". |
Martin V Smith
Advanced Member
Username: Mvsusaf
Post Number: 273
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 72.76.38.134
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 09:54 am: | |
When the C5 first came into the inventory in the late 60s it became known as "Fat Albert" in reference to a character in Bill Cosby's comedy routine. After less than a year of that name, the "word" came down from way "upstairs" to cease and desist. It worked and "Fat Albert" left the AF lexicon. |
Dave Nosek
Member
Username: Waterman15
Post Number: 45
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 134.215.253.245
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 01:21 am: | |
"Trash Hauler" which is what we used to lovengly call the cargo aircraft we all love to ride. Also applied to the crews especially when coming from a fighter pilot. lol |
Karol Stanley
Intermediate Member
Username: Stanlekv
Post Number: 80
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 184.1.133.80
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 12:49 am: | |
The days When Dixie Cups and Cracker Jacks were in. Seafarer dungerees were Cool. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 165
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 12:05 am: | |
Ron: Don't forget the pogey bait!
Jim H: And, .....sailors belong on ships and ships belong at sea.
Also: Bucket of steam, mail bouy, 10 fathoms of waterline......
One of my favorites, from First Class Bosun's Mate to a seaman deuce (Seaman Apprentice E-2)
who wanted a 72 hour liberty to get married, "if the Navy wanted you to have a wife you'd have been issued one with your seabag!"
Same Bosun's Mate to another Sailor who wanted leave because his wife was about to have a baby: "You only need to be there to lay the keel, you're not needed for the launching."
I know those last two are not PC, but that's the way it was, back in the day! |
Ron Allen
Advanced Member
Username: Rona
Post Number: 169
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 71.200.218.63
| | Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 11:10 pm: | |
Make sure you carry lots of Gedunks on your space-a flights. RonA |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 35
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 10:32 pm: | |
Aye, Aye Sir!
Wilco
Over and Out
Try this one: "Haze Gray and Underway" ... anyone? |
John D.
Moderator
Username: John_d
Post Number: 4376
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 95.208.80.143
| | Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 07:33 pm: | |
All,
Please keep to the topic - thanks. |
Bill Gast
Advanced Member
Username: Actionwriter
Post Number: 190
Registered: 12-2008
Posted From: 96.8.222.198
| | Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 01:26 am: | |
Jim; Lt. Roberts could not make it to the lifer lounge--he'd get stuck coming thru the Hause pipe (:
Like my part of my uniform that had 13 buttons, I'll never turn loose of the memory(s) |
Chuck F
Member
Username: Snipe
Post Number: 24
Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 68.109.15.150
| | Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 12:15 am: | |
GENE and ED,
Until I read your E-Mails I never knew I had learned a second language. ENGLISH.
Thank you both.
Chuck F |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 06:04 pm: | |
Ed - you just sent literally thousands of SPATS scrambling for their Google -- I think the site crashed! BZ. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 160
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 05:52 pm: | |
Bob: Thought I had one that Google wouldn't find, (fidley deck) but lo and behold, there it was right on a Navy web site.
http://www.history.navy.mil/books/nnv/index.htm |
Bob Dart
Senior Member
Username: Bobdart
Post Number: 1501
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 208.114.116.98
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 10:46 pm: | |
There is a richness to our (military) language that adds to our culture and traditions. We should, as John mentioned, embrace it and if needed explain in clear terms what it means though Google seems to have erased some of that need. |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 28
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 09:17 pm: | |
I remember trying to jump-start the OPTAR req while at the same time dealing with the OP-09 mandate to pre-approve the annual SLATE of new accessions. Tough job...never did get it right. Damn Mustang mentality. Lesson learned: never mind who understands -- get your point of view out there; if they care to understand, they'll make the effort. And BZ to Gene - that site (glossery of obscure terms) is ourstanding! |
Jack T. Paxton
Senior Member
Username: Jpaxton
Post Number: 823
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 24.27.231.67
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 08:33 pm: | |
One of the things we are trying to do this year in our annual conference is indoctrinate our young Marines into our traditions. Example, while many of us remember when the rank structure changed in late 1958/early 1959 adding the senior rates, to our youngsters this is ancient history. I recently made a trip with senior Marine staff ncos to Reno to check out our hotel. Our bull sessions clearly showed our modern day warriors have not the slightest idea of our history. Hence, we will do several PMEs to bring them on board. |
John David Brooks
Advanced Member
Username: Johnb6597
Post Number: 369
Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 121.55.235.75
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 01:52 am: | |
Aw, hell, Ed...if we're all thinking the same, then nobody's thinking! :-) |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 156
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 01:15 am: | |
Jim H: I'm pretty sure LT Roberts wasn't a Mustang (up from the ranks.)
John David Brooks: Nice to be on the same side of an issue. |
John David Brooks
Advanced Member
Username: Johnb6597
Post Number: 368
Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 121.55.235.75
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 12:52 am: | |
I've always considered new words to be wonderful opportunities to improve my vocabulary...rather than avoid them, we should embrace them. |
Jim H
Member
Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 12:22 am: | |
Lt Roberts may have been a welcome addition to the wardroom, but he'd never survive in the Goat Locker, unless he came up thru the Lifer Lounge! |
Gene Williams
Advanced Member
Username: Gene_w
Post Number: 322
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 98.230.6.116
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2010 - 11:56 pm: | |
Wanda (and others)
Here's a good reference for some of those words you never heard before:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:U.S._Navy_slang#W
actually it's sorta refresher reading for an 'old salt'.
OBTW: "Wardroom" in the US Navy refers not only to the space where officers sit for meals, but the entire ship's officer complement. As in, "Lt Roberts was a welcome addition to the wardroom." or "Welcome to the wardroom."
Gene W. |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 154
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2010 - 10:23 pm: | |
Good idea Wanda. However, may I suggest that words/phrases peculiar to one service continue to be used but with an explanation. I'm always interested in most everything military and enjoy learning new, to me, military words and phrases from the other services.
As for "Ward Room", I believe the term/word is actually "Wardroom". Also, only on smaller ships does the CO, always addressed as Captain regardless of actual rank, dine in and frequent the Wardroom. On larger ships the CO has his own mess and dines alone unless he has guests.
I remember, when I served for a bit with the 9th ID (Infantry Division), I wondered what in the heck a "First Shirt" was that troops kept mentioning. Finally enlightened when I asked. |
John Fleming
Advanced Member
Username: Johnfleming10859
Post Number: 219
Registered: 07-2008
Posted From: 71.111.17.196
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2010 - 06:48 pm: | |
Wanda,
I agree with using terms that all can understand. I like to use the term "agent" vice "pax representative". It's not only short, but EVERYONE knows what an agent is. |
Wanda Seals
Senior Member
Username: Whstravel
Post Number: 718
Registered: 07-2007
Posted From: 69.152.250.36
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2010 - 05:46 pm: | |
I don't want to make a big thing, but (and apologies to the poster who used the word WARD ROOM:
Reference the term "WARD ROOM" which was used in the thread "General Space-a Forum » Everyone Please Read - Profiles and Postings"
Until that posting, I had never heard the word "WARD ROOM" used - either as miitary or civilian jargon.
I've heard "WARD" and "ROOM" but never used together.
Basically, I would like to encourage generic phrases and/or words that are recognized across the military spectrum - not just one service.
Guess there are some (such as Navy's "deck" and "head" versus "floor" and "toilet/restroom") that most military use and/or understand.
Of course there are many Americans that have no idea what a "W.C." (water closet - toilet) is - unless they have traveled overseas to those countries that so identify those facilities!
Ciao/Wanda |
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