August is Snipe Month
August 14th, 2009 | Historical Navy Personnel Ratings Ships The deckplates | Posted by Mark Faram
If you are a Navy snipe, then August is your month.
That’s because on Aug. 31, 1842, the first enlisted engineering ratings — fireman and coal heaver — were created.
Steam technology was in its early days at sea when the Navy built it’s second steam ship, the Fulton II, in 1837. And sailors would be needed to operate and maintain the boilers.
With the commissioning of the second Fulton, steam had entered the fleet to stay -- note the paddle-wheel -- a design that would dominate early sea going steam ships.
To man these new ships, Congress passed a law on on Aug. 31, 1842, establishing the two ratings. Those already skilled in steam and machinery skills would be enlisted as firemen. Those with no skills could join as a coal heaver.
Navy regulations dated Aug. 1, 1847, stated that no one would be enlisted as a fireman or coal heaver until he has passed a medical exam that attests to his “health and vigor” for the job.
Prospective firemen would also have to pass a practical exam given by “one or more engineer officers of the Navy upon their ability to manage fires properly with different kinds of fuel, and to use skillfully smiths tools in the repair and preservation of steam machinery and boilers.”
This establishment marked the beginning of enlisted engineering careers as sailors could enlist with no experience as coal heaver and progress to become firemen and eventually qualify as a third assistant engineer — the equivalent of a warrant officer position today.
AAARRRGGHH — Navy needs new “Old Tar”
July 29th, 2009 | Navy | Posted by Mark Faram
Is your master chief old? I mean really old? Well he or she just might rate an honor for that. The Surface Navy Association is searching for its next “Old Tar” — the active-duty enlisted sailor who has been Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualified for the longest.
The Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin -- if you've had yours the longest -- you might rate an award.
According to NavAdmin message 224/09, applications will be accepted for anyone who earned their pin “equal to or later than Aug. 1, 1982″ — and has the paperwork to prove it. The award, created in 1996 by the Surface Navy Association is currently held by recently retired Command Master Chief Sammie L. Lymon.
There is one catch, however, submissions must be received by Friday, July 31 at the association’s headquarters — 2550 Huntington Avenue, Suite 202, Alexandria, Virginia 22303.
Navy counselors everywhere!
June 15th, 2009 | Personnel The deckplates | Posted by Mark Faram
Navy
Greetings from Chicago! Navy Times staff writer Mark Faram is at the 21st Annual Navy Career Counselor’s Symposium this week, getting the straight scoop on everything impacting your career.
Check back for news and blog items from the conference. If there’s anything you would like to have us find out while we’re here, just send an e-mail to mfaram@navytimes.com.