Merry Christmas, Sailors

 

In a reversal of what has to be the absolute stupidest decision ever made by military management, the United States Navy has decided to immediately restore rating titles. The backlash against this abject asininity was immediate, harsh, and continual. A petition on the white house change website easily met the requirements to receive official address. The CNO was forced to admit that he rammed his bow forcefully up his own stern and misjudged exactly how unpopular this course of action would be. It turns out that hundreds of years of tradition cannot simply be swept away by the stroke of a pen. As so perfectly displayed in this Broadside cartoon, ratings were, and will be again, a functional part of the way the Navy operates and performs its mission.

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Merry Christmas to all you squids. You are more than a number again — for now.

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  1. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    The King Prawn:In a reversal of what has to be the absolute stupidest decision ever made by military management, . . .

    I agree!  The next most stupid thing has to be the black beret.  If we wanted to be French, we’d have Navy combat airwings like “The Fighting Escargot” or “The Mighty Mimes”.

    • #31
  2. nandapanjandrum Member
    nandapanjandrum
    @

    Stad:

    The King Prawn:In a reversal of what has to be the absolute stupidest decision ever made by military management, . . .

    I agree! The next most stupid thing has to be the black beret. If we wanted to be French, we’d have Navy combat airwings like “The Fighting Escargot” or “The Mighty Mimes”.

    Be glad it wasn’t “raspberry”…(Or did  they actually consider that? Sheesh.)

    • #32
  3. Eeyore Member
    Eeyore
    @Eeyore

    The King Prawn: If the navy really wants more ability to move people within the specializations they already have a way: rating conversion. Just make that process easier. But, even within the rates there is specialization, Navy Enlisted Classification codes. As a Missile Technician I carried NEC 3310 (C-4 weapons system), 3312 (D-5 backfit weapons system), and 3320 (nuclear weapons specialist). Each requires different training.

    Hopefully, things are moving along with your job change desires such that you will no longer have to re-qualify on the module “Structures – Ascent Devices – Manual – Static” ‘cuz dammit, you remember how to climb the ‘effin crane ladder already!

    • #33
  4. Texmoor Coolidge
    Texmoor
    @Texmoor

    Good riddance to Mabus.

    V/R,

    HM2 Texmoor

    • #34
  5. Giaccomo Member
    Giaccomo
    @Giaccomo

    They really should have carried this to its logical conclusion and included the flag ranks in the gender-neutral project.  If memory serves, ‘Admiral,’ after all is derived from the Arabic term of Prince/Commander (masculine) of the sea.

    • #35
  6. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    I think this is more sinister than what is being reported.

    I think back to how California used to get outrageous laws passed.  They would propose a law that was insane and vastly unpopular in six different ways, with one being most especially outrageous.  After the inevitable protests, they would take off that one really insane aspect of the proposed law, the protesters would leave and the other five onerous laws would be enacted.

    Likewise, Mabus has distracted everyone with this stupid ranks nonsense that was pointless, but now he will continue on with changing the titles to be gender neutral and they’ll put women in the infantry and everyone is sighing in relief that they still get their ratings.

    Classic.

    • #36
  7. profdlp Inactive
    profdlp
    @profdlp

    Umbra Fractus:You do realize the other three branches have been doing just fine calling each other by our ranks for hundreds of years, right?

    They have been doing fine without aircraft carriers, too.  Should the Navy get rid of them as well?

    • #37
  8. erazoner Coolidge
    erazoner
    @erazoner

    Umbra Fractus:

    erazoner:

    That was one of the main arguments used in defense of the decision. Of course, it’s a nonsensical one which willfully ignores the separate histories, cultures, and weaponry. Even our Marine brethren (who themselves haven’t been wholly immune to Mabus’ PC binges) objected to the change.

    Trinity Waters:

    So, all military branches must be the same? Just like all states should be governed identically? Maybe not. This is good news in a year brimming with it! HDAHA

    You people need to grow a sense of humor.

    I caught your sarcasm, but you repeated the exact same argument made by senior Navy careerists who courted attention and approval from progressive elites.

    • #38
  9. David Wilder Thatcher
    David Wilder
    @DavidWilder

    Umbra Fractus:You do realize the other three branches have been doing just fine calling each other by our ranks for hundreds of years, right?

    Yes the US Army and Air Force say Left, Right, Walls and Floors. Translated for Sailors and Marines that means Port, Starboard, Bulkhead and Deck.

    I suggest the Soldiers and Airman comply with our way of thinking.

    • #39
  10. nandapanjandrum Member
    nandapanjandrum
    @

    David Wilder:

    Umbra Fractus:You do realize the other three branches have been doing just fine calling each other by our ranks for hundreds of years, right?

    Yes the US Army and Air Force say Left, Right, Walls and Floors. Translated for Sailors and Marines that means Port, Starboard, Bulkhead and Deck.

    I suggest the Soldiers and Airman comply with our way of thinking.

    David, please refresh my memory re: ‘ceiling’ in naval/Marine-speak? TY.

    • #40
  11. erazoner Coolidge
    erazoner
    @erazoner

    Nanda Panjandrum:David, please refresh my memory re: ‘ceiling’ in naval/Marine-speak? TY.

    “Overhead”.

    Forgive me, @davidwilder.

    • #41
  12. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    David Wilder:

    Yes the US Army and Air Force say Left, Right, Walls and Floors. Translated for Sailors and Marines that means Port, Starboard, Bulkhead and Deck.

    I suggest the Soldiers and Airman comply with our way of thinking.

    Sorry, I prefer my American military to speak English. ;)

    • #42
  13. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Umbra Fractus:

    David Wilder:

    Yes the US Army and Air Force say Left, Right, Walls and Floors. Translated for Sailors and Marines that means Port, Starboard, Bulkhead and Deck.

    I suggest the Soldiers and Airman comply with our way of thinking.

    Sorry, I prefer my American military to speak English.

    Or, if you prefer, to know the difference between a boat and a building.

    • #43
  14. David Wilder Thatcher
    David Wilder
    @DavidWilder

    Umbra Fractus:

    Umbra Fractus:

    David Wilder:

    Yes the US Army and Air Force say Left, Right, Walls and Floors. Translated for Sailors and Marines that means Port, Starboard, Bulkhead and Deck.

    I suggest the Soldiers and Airman comply with our way of thinking.

    Sorry, I prefer my American military to speak English.

    Or, if you prefer, to know the difference between a boat and a building.

    The US Navy has Ships.  Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels.  Buildings are for land based facilities.

    • #44
  15. David Wilder Thatcher
    David Wilder
    @DavidWilder

    Umbra Fractus:

    David Wilder:

    Yes the US Army and Air Force say Left, Right, Walls and Floors. Translated for Sailors and Marines that means Port, Starboard, Bulkhead and Deck.

    I suggest the Soldiers and Airman comply with our way of thinking.

    Sorry, I prefer my American military to speak English. ?

    We do speak English, just from a more robust and expanded lexicon.

    • #45
  16. nandapanjandrum Member
    nandapanjandrum
    @

    erazoner:

    Nanda Panjandrum:David, please refresh my memory re: ‘ceiling’ in naval/Marine-speak? TY.

    “Overhead”.

    Forgive me, @davidwilder.

    Thank you….My Uncle and Cousin Colonels forgot this one…Oops.

    • #46
  17. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    David Wilder:

    The US Navy has Ships. Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels. Buildings are for land based facilities.

    *eyeroll*

    • #47
  18. David Wilder Thatcher
    David Wilder
    @DavidWilder

    Umbra Fractus:

    David Wilder:

    The US Navy has Ships. Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels. Buildings are for land based facilities.

    *eyeroll*

    Did not mean to bust your chops.  However to many of us former Sailors and Marines our lexicon and traditions are a part of a share ethos.  Our military services have the varying cultures.  While different, they have served this country well.  Why fixed what isn’t broke.  New Ship classes that breakdown on a regular basis are a much bigger problem.

    Peace!

    • #48
  19. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    David Wilder: Did not mean to bust your chops.

    You should know that I am an Air Force veteran, and making fun of Navyspeak is one of our traditions (and I’m pretty sure the Army and Marines get in on the fun too.) ;)

    • #49
  20. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Umbra Fractus:

    David Wilder: Did not mean to bust your chops.

    You should know that I am an Air Force veteran, and making fun of Navyspeak is one of our traditions (and I’m pretty sure the Army and Marines get in on the fun too.) ?

    Actually, Marines are better at nautical jargon than even the Navy, sometimes.

     

    • #50
  21. The King Prawn Inactive
    The King Prawn
    @TheKingPrawn

    Skyler:

    Umbra Fractus:

    David Wilder: Did not mean to bust your chops.

    You should know that I am an Air Force veteran, and making fun of Navyspeak is one of our traditions (and I’m pretty sure the Army and Marines get in on the fun too.) ?

    Actually, Marines are better at nautical jargon than even the Navy, sometimes.

    And they can march…

    • #51
  22. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    David Wilder: The US Navy has Ships. Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels. Buildings are for land based facilities.

    We were taught is that a boat is a vessel small enough to fit inside another vessel (called a ship).  This definition sort of breaks down, because just about everything will fit inside an aircraft carrier (except some of the largest cruise ships).

    • #52
  23. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Skyler:

    Actually, Marines are better at nautical jargon than even the Navy, sometimes.

    Right, I’ll concede error on this one. It’s been a while since I had to interact with the jarheads,

    • #53
  24. David Wilder Thatcher
    David Wilder
    @DavidWilder

    Stad:

    David Wilder: The US Navy has Ships. Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels. Buildings are for land based facilities.

    We were taught is that a boat is a vessel small enough to fit inside another vessel (called a ship). This definition sort of breaks down, because just about everything will fit inside an aircraft carrier (except some of the largest cruise ships).

    View comment in context.

    It certainly does break down when you consider a submarine is called a Boat.  Last I checked an SSBN is rather large.  We were told outside of a submarine, if it was smaller than a Frigate it was probably a Boat.

    Of course I could be mistaken. I was a dry land sailor having spent my sea tour with the USMC.  It was one of those small details my recruiter failed to informed me.  Navy Corpsman get shipped off to the Marines.

    • #54
  25. Nanda Panjandrum Member
    Nanda Panjandrum
    @

    David Wilder: It was one of those small details my recruiter failed to informed me. Navy Corpsman get shipped off to the Marines.

    View comment in context.

    And, boy are we grateful, Doc! RAH and S/F! Merry Christmas!

    • #55
  26. Douglas Inactive
    Douglas
    @Douglas

    Umbra Fractus:

    David Wilder: Did not mean to bust your chops.

    You should know that I am an Air Force veteran, and making fun of Navyspeak is one of our traditions (and I’m pretty sure the Army and Marines get in on the fun too.) ?

    View comment in context.

    Each service mocks the other, as this pilot found out when he landed on the wrong carrier.

    • #56
  27. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    I used to be an aircraft maintenance officer (maintenance control officer) for a Marine A-6 squadron. One time one of my jets had some problems in Hill Air Force base after the crew stopped there for a weekend of skiing. There was a series of stupidities by the air crew combined with a faulty canopy jettison system when they were servicing the aircraft to prepare to depart.  Most people assumed they intended to claim the bird was broken to extend their ski slope time by a few days, but things got out of hand.  To keep the story short, let’s just say the aircraft needed some serious structural work on the vertical stab to be performed before flying again.  Fortunately Hill had some very talented depot-level facilities that fixed it up nice.

    But when the plane was returned, it was painted trainer orange and “Ski Utah” was stenciled all over the plane. It was pretty embarrassing. I had that thing towed into the barn immediately to repaint it. I was still angrier at the crew than I was at the Air Force, but since the pilot was my direct boss I had to bite my tongue.  I was so glad when that dummy transferred out two years early.

    • #57
  28. erazoner Coolidge
    erazoner
    @erazoner

    Stad:

    David Wilder: The US Navy has Ships. Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels. Buildings are for land based facilities.

    We were taught is that a boat is a vessel small enough to fit inside another vessel (called a ship). This definition sort of breaks down, because just about everything will fit inside an aircraft carrier (except some of the largest cruise ships).

    View comment in context.

    Actually, a boat is usually a vessel that can be launched from another vessel, regardless of size, or a coastal craft. A submarine may be affectionately called a boat only by its own crew, but is always referred to as a submarine (or just a “sub”) by other mariners, never “ship” or “boat” which would be confusing in a maritime environment.

    Got that?

    • #58
  29. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    erazoner:

    Stad:

    David Wilder: The US Navy has Ships. Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels. Buildings are for land based facilities.

    We were taught is that a boat is a vessel small enough to fit inside another vessel (called a ship). This definition sort of breaks down, because just about everything will fit inside an aircraft carrier (except some of the largest cruise ships).

    View comment in context.

    Actually, a boat is usually a vessel that can be launched from another vessel, regardless of size, or a coastal craft. A submarine may be affectionately called a boat only by its own crew, but is always referred to as a submarine (or just a “sub”) by other mariners, never “ship” or “boat” which would be confusing in a maritime environment.

    Got that?

    View comment in context.

    Not true.  Subs are called boats.

    • #59
  30. Eeyore Member
    Eeyore
    @Eeyore

    Skyler:

    erazoner:

    Stad:

    David Wilder: The US Navy has Ships. Boats are limited to submarines and very small water vessels. Buildings are for land based facilities.

    We were taught is that a boat is a vessel small enough to fit inside another vessel (called a ship). This definition sort of breaks down, because just about everything will fit inside an aircraft carrier (except some of the largest cruise ships).

    View comment in context.

    Actually, a boat is usually a vessel that can be launched from another vessel, regardless of size, or a coastal craft. A submarine may be affectionately called a boat only by its own crew, but is always referred to as a submarine (or just a “sub”) by other mariners, never “ship” or “boat” which would be confusing in a maritime environment.

    Got that?

    View comment in context.

    Not true. Subs are called boats.

    View comment in context.

    Alrighty! All we need is a bar, a few unattached chairs, some tattoos, and we got us a popcorn-worthy brawl!

    • #60
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