How has the Navy changed in the last 20 years?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:35:40 -0500

My time on active duty is now over 20 years ago. I am interested to hear from veterans and active sailors how things have changed in that time. The day to day life, deployments, the overall mission, etc.

For instance, in my day there was no internet to speak of. Is that a daily part of shipboard life? Satellite phones if they existed were strictly for SEALS or somebody like that, cell phones came in a giant bag or were about the size of a claymore mine. Do you get to use your cell phones when you get signal? Did they every finally put a McDonald's on an Aircraft carrier? Our mission included playing a giant chess game with the Soviet Navy...what is the current mission like?

Inquiring minds want to know.

There's 72,000 + Navy on this site and we rarely hear from them. I'd like to see the squids get more engaged.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 19 at 2015 12:52 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:52:19 -0500

I'm following this thread closely as well. I have no idea how life is in the Navy. I saw Seabees pulling convoy ops in Iraq and it almost blew my mind.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Feb 19 at 2015 12:54 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:54:28 -0500

Excellent question! I have sat here several times wondering how different life in the military must be in the day of cell phones, internet, etc. --- I come from the day of getting letters that were weeks old and making the monthly international call home to check on family.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 1:03 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:03:19 -0500

SFC Mark Merino. I believe Seabees consume flying bullets, casings, and any other raw materials in their path for use in their construction projects. Sandy

Response by SGT Micheal Adams made Feb 19 at 2015 1:04 PM

SGT Micheal Adams — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:04:54 -0500

Well I'm not navy, however while I was over seas we were allowed to use cell phones we could get in country. Of course when we did call it was very late here. Or we stayed up till 2 am to call at a decant time at home. My deployment was in 06. E- mail was an every day part of deployments and letters from jome were seldom.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 1:14 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:14:14 -0500

I had internet on my ships, but it was very unreliable. Letters were still very much appreciated while underway. I saw the ship's satellite phone used only once, for a personal emergency. Cell phones were just going mainstream, but my ships were exceptions (CIVMARS) and the rails were lined every time we transited through the Philippines. Our main mission was UNREP with a heavy dose of humanitarian aid. Of course, my experience was 10 years ago, and all my ships have since been scuttled.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 1:14 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:14:39 -0500

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 1:16 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:16:04 -0500

Response by PO2 Terri Myre made Feb 19 at 2015 1:40 PM

PO2 Terri Myre — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:40:16 -0500

Oh my. Where do I start? First of all, all of this PC BS needs to go. It has no place in the military. This kinder, gentler crap has taken all power away from RDCs and DIs. Boot was supposed to be where all of the crap was thrown out. But now they make it to the fleet and it's the LPOs job to babysit. Oh yeah, they are also allowed to watch tv and have cell phones in bootcamp now. What kind of &#*$@ is that?!?!

There is most definitely NO respect at all for rank structure. This generation of entitlement are babied through boot and well into the fleet. I really and truly am glad that I was medically retired 2 1/2 years ago because there is no way I could deal with how drastically it's changed since I've gotten out. My husband, being an LPO, has his hands basically tied. Everything has to go on paper. No more attitude adjustments. Hell, I don't even think they issue EMI anymore. Oh and swearing, you may as well forget about that too. It might offend someone. *eyeroll*

Yes, they have internet on the ships. Most correspondence with your other half is email. There are shipboard phones that you can use phone cards with but those are hit or miss. Last I was on a ship though was 2008. And it was a dollar a minute to use those phones. Unless they have changed the rules, which I doubt they did, all cell phones have to be turned off while underway.

Lol...No McDonald's or anything like that aboard ship. Those that have any type of fast food like that have the hook up with folks on the CODs.

As for exercises, it sounds as though they're pretty much the same. War games. Us against them.

Hope that gives you some insight as to how it's changed and how it's stayed the same :)

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 1:44 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:44:51 -0500

I havent served in the Navy Yet just waiting on the MEPS to pull their head out of their fourth point of contact, So deffinantly looking to find out the Life of Corpsman in todays Navy specificly the 8404 type

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 1:49 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:49:27 -0500

Well I'm a submariner so rarely do we really have unclass internet access (on surface we do,early used so slow) we do get email though. Cell phones you can use if not working or on maneuvering watch. But you can Olly imagine that at sea you don't have signal.

Our missions focus on support war in the middle east mostly like every one else in the military. However to do some other thinks we did back in your time.

I'm pretty sure carriers don't have McD's (PRTs would be tough to pass) but I don't know much about that life. But I do know they have internet underway on surface ships, must be nice and TV. You should look in to watching Carrier (PBS series) seems like it maybe accurate to their life underway (sucks it focuses mustly on flight deck life and not most of the rest of the ship like they don't exist) but its pretty enjoyable and insiteful.

Response by CPO Ed Ball made Feb 19 at 2015 2:07 PM

CPO Ed Ball — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:07:54 -0500

I retired Jan 97, I was one of the last generation of "old" chiefs initiated in 86. But from what I've read, this newer, kinder, politically correct Navy, no doubt in my military mind I would have seen a court martial for numerous offenses.

One of my jobs my last two years at DISA in Guam was the planning and implementation of the NIPRNET/SIPERNET nodes throughout the Southwestern Pacific Region. NIPERNET is the unclassified but sensitive black side of satellite communications systems that authorized internet connectivity. In 92-94 we were in the R&D stages for the NIPRNET run across SHF satcomm terminals that didn't prove that reliable at sea which could have been a number of factors, ships gyro not properly calibrated, blockaged due to shipboard manuevers at sea from the superstructure, lack of proper signal amplification, loss of digital signal prior to the conversion process from digital to analog. It was great when it worked, but I can't say how the systems operate at sea since Jan 97.

I had internet in the barracks at Guam and used voice software to make long distance calls home for those that had the same software loaded on their computers. This was all prior to Skype. But still saved on long distance calls. Cell phones were just coming on line in Guam in those days.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Feb 19 at 2015 3:17 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 15:17:13 -0500

Outstanding question, PO3 Private RallyPoint Member! Thanks!!!!

I'd like to ask one thing, if I may...

Back in the 80's, the primary mission for the Fast Attack submarines was to locate and track ballistic missile subs.

What's the predominant mission now, and are there any "enemy boomers" out there to track?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 12:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 00:39:09 -0500

of the bigger gripes that i hear my fellow shipmates speak about is the uniforms and how they don't like the nwu's

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Feb 22 at 2015 2:01 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 14:01:58 -0500

I remember having to use a satellite phone to make phone calls, which was in the library on the ship (USS Independence) and good luck being able to use it because it was always being used by someone else! We had arcade style video games instead of X-Box, PlayStation, etc. Yes, we didn't have Internet and yes, we had to write letters to communicate back home.

Fast-forward to my last ship that I left in 2003 and things were a lot different. We had Internet, even though connection was limited. At least we could email friends and family back home instead of having to use snail mail. You could use cell phones, assuming you were close enough to land to get a signal. We had X-box/PlayStation tournaments.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 4:48 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 16:48:30 -0500

I think the reason the Navy personnel hardly speak on this site is because the Army and Marines seem to have more problems than we do. We can voice what appropriate actions we would take however those are different branches who have different methods for solving their problems. Like I'm sure several people have stated, the Navy has got a lot nicer. We cater to everyone's needs.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2015 12:28 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 12:28:45 -0500

Where to start? I just transferred from a DDG last year, we had "high speed" internet to around 100 PC's. The internet is a huge part of day to day operations with the 3M system, parts ordering and the such all utilizing the web. Satellite phones are for emergencies only however there is a pool of phones available to the higher ups and a few offices. On my ship from Taps to reveille we had a "morale" line set up for 15 minute calls to Norfolk for free. If the person was to call long distance they needed a phone card. This was all on a first come first serve basis. Cell phones are a huge NO NO. Once the ship set sea and anchor, no more cell phone usage. The mission today, for DDG's at least, is counter piracy, escort duty, or in my case Ballistic Missile Defence. Haven't done any shadow games with the Russians or any other navy since I've entered service in 2001.

Response by SN Martin Bush made Feb 25 at 2015 12:20 PM

SN Martin Bush — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:20:22 -0500

Women aboard Combatant ships is a major change from when I was aboard the USS Carl Vinson CVN 70 from 86-90. But the best change today from when I was in is the internet. We learned about news stories a couple of days from when it occurred. I recall learning that Wayne Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to the LA Kings 4 days after it happened. Getting news stories as it happened would have been enjoyable back then.

Response by LCDR Steve Didio made Feb 25 at 2015 12:27 PM

LCDR Steve Didio — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:27:30 -0500

Thanks for posting such an interesting topic. I served from '77 - '01, so I was at sea a lot during the "era of 3-4 week old letters" at Mail Call. I'll tell you, in those days, when the Helo came in with First Class Mail, it was a big deal for the morale of the crewmembers. My wife was a prolific letter writer, and would number each of her daily letters to make it easier for me to follow what was going on at home.
I remember during Westpac in 1980 onboard USS Truxtun (CGN-35), we were in the IO during the Iran Hostage Crisis. Spent 144 straight days at sea because we needed no refueling. So the letters from home were particularly prized during that deployment. We got word that the Helo was on approach, and went to Flight Quarters, eager to receive what was described as 1200 pounds of First Class Mail. Suddenly, the Helo developed serious mechanical problems and the crew had to ditch into the ocean about 1000 yards astern of us. Everyone on the Flight Deck was obviously concerned, and we were able to witness the rescue of the Helo crew. But down to the bottom of the IO went our mail bags, and, as Sailors will do, the griping and colorful language ensued. More than once I heard comments like, "to hell with the crew, they should have saved the mail bags". I still laugh when I think back on that day.
When we received a load of mail the next time, I was missing over 20 numbered letters. Made it a bit difficult to follow the news from home, and when I was able to finally call home, I had to reset my wife's expectations of what I knew and didn't know.
Such was the life of a fleet sailor in the early '80s. One last thought, I also remember making a MARS call home from the harbor at Diego Garcia. Had to be connected through a half dozen or so HAM Radio operators who volunteered their time all over the world. Had to say "over" after each sentence, so they could switch the gear from transmit to receive. Anyone else ever do that?

Response by LT Justin Gombos made Feb 25 at 2015 12:48 PM

LT Justin Gombos — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:48:07 -0500

The Navy is more interested in EEO and affirmative action than they are in winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas. It' sad. More emphasis on promoting unqualified women and minorities than on being a potent fighting force.

Response by PO2 Eric Lozaga made Feb 25 at 2015 12:58 PM

PO2 Eric Lozaga — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:58:32 -0500

I'm glad I got out of the navy in 06 before everything really started changing. Especially the uniforms. Bleck

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Feb 25 at 2015 1:14 PM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:14:10 -0500

I talk often LOL. I was in 75 to 81 on board the greatest ship ever USS Enterprise CVN 65. One huge difference is women on ships. We had none. The crossing the line ceremony has been changed due to that. I'm not saying women onboard is bad just saying that things on the ship where much different before women deployed. To become a Shellback sucked. Wearing your clothes inside out and backyards and crawling the length of the flight deck on your knees while cut off fire hoses are used to move you along wasn't one of the best days however I wouldn't have missed it for love or money. Just saying it was way different.

Response by MCPO Douglas Pennington made Feb 25 at 2015 1:38 PM

MCPO Douglas Pennington — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:38:43 -0500

I retired in 2004, and i saw a lot of changes in my 23 years. Went from standing in line at Disbursing on the ship to cash my payday allowance to going down to an ATM and withdrawing it. It wasn't like a bank ATM it was actually money that you held out of your paycheck that was yours. Phones in the beginning were only at ports now they have phones that take phone cards throughout most ships and accessible to the crew. Working on the boat hasn't changed much. same long hours and humping components up multiple ladders. I do understand now they do breathalizers on the quarterdeck after liberty. This i feel is total BS. You stuck on a ship for days at a time, you are supposed to get off and unwind not unwind just to blow to high on a breathalizer and have your liberty restricted. Chow was still Chow, no changes there..

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Feb 25 at 2015 3:27 PM

PO1 Donald Hammond — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:27:13 -0500

I work with the military now. Got out in 88. I made coffee at the office one day and a crusty old Master Chief comes up to me and says "You must have been a bubblehead cuz that is chest thumping coffee that only a bubblehead would drink." He took me aside at one point and said "this ain't the Navy you remember". He joined in 84 and retired in 14. So when I said about North Korea making threats "Nuke 'em till they glow and shoot 'em in the dark" and all these military types were shocked he reminded me this isn't the Navy I once knew.

I asked "can you still duct tape somebody upside down and naked from the steam pipes and attach a vacuum cleaner to certain portions of his anatomy?" He choked but knew what I was talking about. Then told me about "stress cards". Say what? No training by pain? But if something stresses you out you can take a time out?

Of course the problem where I work is there is only 1 other submariner but I'm the only nuke. I have to keep myself in check at work because they just don't get me. Well, there is a Senior Chief who rode on submarines as a spook once. He sort of gets my humor.

Okay. Have to have a sea story. There was one guy who used the "F" word a LOT. So one day I was bored sitting on watch and I started using a grease pencil to mark every time he used it. After awhile he noticed the marks and asked about them. I told him what they were. I showed him that in 1 hour he had used the F word 386 times. He didn't say anything. A few days later he comes to me all pissed off because "now I can't say it because I think about you counting everytime and it freaks me out". Never heard him use the F word again. :)

Response by HA Charlrs Kraus made Feb 25 at 2015 3:46 PM

HA Charlrs Kraus — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:46:23 -0500

I have often wondered the same thing, how much easier it would have been to talk to loved ones back home.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Feb 25 at 2015 5:22 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 17:22:02 -0500

I served aboard the Biddle CG-34 from 75-79 out of Norfolk. Like the other old timers we had snail mail and was grateful to get that. Seems like the entire crew was waiting outside the ships Post Office when it was suppose to be only the Division Mail POs. We had the reel to reel films on the mess decks and we swapped movies with other ships. Made my share of MARS calls back home when authorized for Navy business. Used the heck out of telephone exchanges in foreign ports. And what is up with all the roast beef we ate when we ran out of the meal on the menu? No computers, but did play many a long running board game over a few years and an occasional “sink my ship” game on our NTDS consoles in CIC. Swearing was the rule of the day, no political BS to deal with and oh yeah those crappy coat and tie enlisted uniforms for 4-lousy years until the fleet switched back to the Cracker Jacks.

I later crossed over to the Seabees and had life a bit better ashore, different Navy but just as venturesome.

In 97 I took a commission into the Air Force, man oh man what a totally different life, talk about creature comforts. Still serving but now in even a more comfy service, the Public Health Service, so another 3-years and I will hang it up after serving 38 years. Too bad the military has changed so much to the political leanings. Many old shipmates and fellow officers who are prior Mustangs like myself reminisce about the “old” days and see such a difference. Interesting topic!

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Feb 25 at 2015 5:35 PM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 17:35:39 -0500

When I went in, there were no computers and cell phones didn't exist. Everything was done by typewriter and land line. It was the year of the 900 lb chief. That was 1980-ash trays hung on every bulkhead. Beards were common for enlisted and officers. By the time I retired 20 years later, every office had PCs but no internet. I was a PN1 and I still work in the same area for the Navy as a civilian. I always fondly talk about the way it was and how it is now with technology. After I got out things got really different. I heard if a recruit is stressed out today at boot camp, the get to hold up a "time out" card and the Company Commander can't yell at them. You would be surprised my friend at all the changes.

Response by PO3 Shawn Oconnor made Feb 25 at 2015 7:41 PM

PO3 Shawn Oconnor — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 19:41:48 -0500

Am I the only one who gets pissed off when the Americas Navy commercial comes on?? I served in the US Navy, Like my father before me. None of the other branches have changed their names. Am I just over sensitive or have the "Navy" lost its tradition?

Response by PO2 Richard Gravitt made Feb 25 at 2015 10:09 PM

PO2 Richard Gravitt — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 22:09:35 -0500

I joined back in 1981, no internet, no cell phones. It was the most freedom I have ever had.
We did get movies on the cruises and we used ham radio to make calls back home. Letters were weeks or more old and the care packages were a welcome site. I would do it all over again.

Response by PO2 Lon Hebert made Feb 26 at 2015 12:15 AM

PO2 Lon Hebert — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 00:15:41 -0500

I retired from the navy on april 30th 1993. as I sit on the beach it has changed completely. it was not the same navy I joined in 1978. prior to that I spent 6 years in the Air Force. but after being on my first sea duty as a RMSN. After arriving to COMSEVENTHFLT Embarked on USS OKLAHOMA CITY CG-5 My RMC took me under his wing and showed me what it meant to be a RM at sea A petty Officer, so coming in on my off time getting my PQS Done so in 1 year after coming in as a RMSN I made RM3 First time up. yes they tacked on my crow. we were getting ready to pull in subic bay the admirals semi annual conference. but for enlisted it was a time to party lay down with some fine filipina. but after my 2 years in the navy were up I cancelled the next year and reenlisted for 6 years and RM C-7 School and follow on to IMCO Morse code school and my next assignment to USNS PASSUMPSIC-T-AO-107. While on deployment I was on watch and across the broadcast came the promotion list from out battle group and under my name was selectee. at the time my wife was pregnant with our first child when I pulled back into subic bay I showed here the message I had been promoted to RM2.

Response by PO3 Bob Walsh made Feb 26 at 2015 2:50 AM

PO3 Bob Walsh — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 02:50:07 -0500

I was aboard ship from1955 to 1958, I served on the USS Bennington CVA 20, an Essex Class Aircraft Carrier, and the USS Gardiners Bay AVP39,.a Seaplane Tender. My tour of duty ended 57 years ago. The Bennington was always underway, and it seemed as though the routine never changed, standing watch in the Fire room, 4 hours on 8 hours off. The one change was when we were under battle conditions, then the watches were, 4 hours on and 4 hours off, with General Quarters mixed in. For example, upon being relieved from watch with 4 hours free to take a shower, eat, if it is chow time and try to get some sleep. If General Quarters sounds you run to your Battle Station. When General quarters is over it may be time to go back on watch, this quickly becomes very exhausting. I remember going to the ships Post Office to buy some stamps and mail a letter home. The Postal clerk told me that we were in a combat zone and I did not need a stamp. I thought, OH BOY! I just saved five cents.
At sea was much different from what I hear of the present Navy. We had a locker for our cloths and personnel belongings approximately 2.5x2.5. Sleeping was in a bunk, a piece of canvas laced into a steel frame with a thin mattress laid on the canvas. The uniform of the day was required to board or leave the ship, no civilian clothes. There was no Telephone, cell or hard wired. No TV but we did have Movies at night in the hanger bay. Communication with home was by the US Mail, Mail call was always popular but less frequent. Most of the Mail came on the high line, from the AK supply ship or the Tanker refueling us.
I would get my turn to stand smoke watch and this involved going up to the 07 level on the super structure. From this point I could observe the smoke stack for all eight Boilers. If a boiler was smoking I would call down on the phone and tell the fire room that a boiler was smoking and to clear it up. The smoke could be seen over the horizon and alert the enemy to our position, and could also interfere with the landing of aircraft. One afternoon our new Division Officer came ep to the 07 level. We were taking on supplies over the High Line from an AK. He told me to watch for Mr. Dennis, our departing Division Officer, who will be going over to the AK on the High Line. When he is on the Highline call down to the fire rooms to send up a puff of smoke to say farewell. I passed the message to the fire rooms and that I would tell them when he was on the Highline. When Mr. Dennis was on the highline I called the fire rooms to send up a puff of smoke. The smoke came gushing out of the stack so fast that in a moment the AK was engulfed in smoke and could not be seen. Mr. Dennis was suspended between two ships in zero visibility of black smoke. I was franticly Yelling into the phone, clear up the smoke. I don’t know what happened to Mr. Dennis, I assume he made it to the AK. For two ships to be running that close to each other with, 0 visibility, is very dangerous, especially with a Man suspended between them. I was surprised that I never heard anything more about the incident.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 3:40 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 03:40:18 -0500

Well I'm unique I suppose with all that happened to me early on in my career. I know that in today's Navy I wouldn't have lasted 6 months...special courts martial, knocked down to a summary, 1 COs mast and probably 6 or 7 DRBs and I can't even count the counseling chits.

It's not that I was a bad guy, I worked hard and played had. In fact one DRB was for a DUI, no one was hurt I was just UA for a few hours. It is my opinion that my good cowboy work ethic caused the CPO mess to squash it right there...don't get me wrong I still stand funny because of that ass chewing. I got another DUI that same year, no excuse but my wife left me on deployment and I didn't know how to cope. That DRB, nobody yelled, it was like they felt sorry for me, but the disappointment they all had in me was terrible. The XO almost cried at XOI, the CO at mast, threw the book at me but suspended it all as long as I got treatment. I squared my ass away and made 1st class in under 10. I dodged a couple bullets there.
I'm not proud of my earky years, but they helped me become a better sailor and leader...even now after being medically retired after only 14, I use that leadership I was taught.
In my opinion the Navy is quick to kick people out nowadays, and had my stuff happened 5 years later, I would have been kicked out. I'm far from perfect, but am a better man having been given those extra chances all those years ago.

By the way, the courts martial ended up being a bunch of BS....he said/she said,and she didn't even show up for the prey risk interview, so I was stil put on report for making bad decisions...like I said, work hard, play hard.
Probably not the kind of answer you're looking for, but today if a sailor made a small percentage of my mistakes he'd be out faster than shit. I just hoe people can learn from guys like me and not have to go through the same mistakes I made.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Feb 26 at 2015 5:45 AM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 05:45:29 -0500

Illegal aliens and openly gay folks have been permitted to join. Those groups have lowered the morals and morale of the Sailors in my units. The Navy refuses to house gays seperately setting up sexual harrassment in the barracks and on ships. Sexual harrassment is not acceptable inthe work station...but somehow is ok where you spend the majority of the time. Terrible social experiment gone wrong.
The Navy has also cut corners to allow expanded roles to females. The F-14 fighter pilot training program and the Field Medical Service School are just two examples. In the F-14 case people were killed because the standards were lowered to alloe the female pilots to pass and 'earn' their wings. In the FMSS example the same thing happened with the result in my case being 36 out of 40 in my platoon had to cheat to 'pass' the course. The instructors looked the other way because it was easier to allow that than it was to explain to Big Navy why 90% failed.
The high numbers of Corpsmen attending FMSS sets up another mistake. Far too many were then sent to other finishing schools. After the second finishing school likr Pharmacy Tech, realistically they are not going to ever serve with an FMF unit. Their numbers were counted as a viable Sailor grossly inflating the numbers of available FMF Corpsmen anyway.
That policy caused some units to run far short of adequate manpower. The normal ratio is 1 Corpsman to about 50 Marines during peacetime. With 8th ESB I had 1 other Corpsman with me and we had 520 between us to look after. Just trying to keep up with the shots on that many with only two men is i possible.

Response by PO2 Jason Privitere made Feb 26 at 2015 9:57 AM

PO2 Jason Privitere — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:57:56 -0500

The Navy seems to be on a downward spiral. A maritime war against a nation with a modern navy will separate the men from the boys, but all the B.S. that CPO's and Officers throw on the competent E5's every day seems to be pushing all the decent sailors out of the Navy, while the dirtbags re-enlist and marry girls that they've known for 2 weeks for the free house. The Navy also periodically takes away re-enlistment bonuses for most rates in order to save some money. I served on a Sub out of Pearl Harbor from 2009-2013 and they broke my back figuratively. I don't see the Navy being as dominant as they were during World War II when the next world war comes along.

Radiomen do have internet access when on the surface during local ops. and email rarely gets retrieved or sent while on mission. Russia sold most of their Navy to China...

Shipboard life on a Los Angeles class sub hasn't changed much in the last 20 years, considering my boat was commissioned in 1994. They only thing that has changed has been a drastic increase in political correctness, demolition of traditions, and acceptance for incompetence.

Response by FN Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 2:18 PM

FN Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 14:18:21 -0500

I'm on a carrier that is in rcoh rite now we do have to have internet to take care of all the work related tags just about every th ing is online now ur leave is online . And we can use cell phones just not on watch, in the plant only time we can have it out is when we go on lunch break or up in berling

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Feb 26 at 2015 5:28 PM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 17:28:32 -0500

I retired in 1989. I don't know if I could make it in today's Navy. In today's Navy I would, oh never mind it's just too much for me.

Response by PO1 Michael Gentile made Feb 27 at 2015 12:06 AM

PO1 Michael Gentile — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:06:45 -0500

Served 83-03 (Retired ET1) As for me one of the biggest an saddest is that on board ship people have less time for each other. Here my point.

On my first ship while underway I would make friends with people from all different shops ie. Snipes, OPS, Admin we would play cards board games, darts, BS outside while looking at the STARS. We would get to know each other pretty well an embrace the word SHIPMATES.

On my last ship when the work was done the junior guys working for me would turn-on the TV or Computers an play video games an all I heard was them talking about the games an never really getting a chance to know their fellow Shipmates or other people from different shops.

That's the sad part I like my time much better.

Response by PO1 Rodney Johnson made Feb 27 at 2015 3:52 AM

PO1 Rodney Johnson — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 03:52:07 -0500

45 years ago to do not have the Internet to do not have cell phone hack PlayStation Gameboy Xbox all we had was card,checker, backgammon, how cell phone was from our Mars stations.

Response by PO2 Gerry Tandberg made Feb 27 at 2015 10:28 AM

PO2 Gerry Tandberg — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:28:44 -0500

I can't respond how the Navy has changed in the past 20 years, but I can let you know how much its changed in the past 50 years. I left military service as an AE2 in 1968; three years regular Navy, two years active reserve, and the remainder inactive reserve. Since then I've been on two dependence day cruises aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, toured the USS Harry S. Truman, attended a 50 year reunion of my Attack Squadron along with 12 of my old ship/squadron mate, and I have about ten nieces and nephews in the military ranging from E9 down to E2 in all five branches of service. I also work with a group of vets that help wounded warriors.

Here is what I observed that we didn't have back in the day: ATM's scattered all over the ship, cell phones, Navy fatigues vs. dungarees, women aboard ship, women pilots, more minorities in uniform, ship stores with more choices, instead of VA and VF squadrons we have VFA's, and finally, were we every actually that young?

I'm sure I missed something but I sense that today's military is better prepared and maybe a bit smarter than we were.

However, I still can't get over having women aboard ship. I'm sure they are every bit as qualified as the guys, I just don't think having a relatively small group of women aboard ship with a relatively young contingent of men with raging hormons was a very wise thought-out decision...at least it wouldn't have been back in the old Navy.

Response by PO1 Timothy Miller made Mar 3 at 2015 7:34 PM

PO1 Timothy Miller — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 19:34:46 -0500

I was in from 1980 to 2000 and retired as a CTI1. I went from using typewriters and MOD-40's to IBM desktops and finally to something resembling today's computers by my last tour. Internet was only coming into its own in my last 5 years or so and as a CT there was no unclassified Internet at work due to security considerations. As for cell phones, I had one during my final tour but it was for work only and was strictly controlled for work-related comms only. I was never much of a tech junkie during my time in.

As for discipline, you could count on a by-the-book interpretation if you did something seriously wrong. Otherwise you would probably just get an expletive-strewn ass-chewing from your LPO or Chief and maybe some EMI or other administrative punishment. Also, in my junior years and as I became more of a leader in my own right, I liked to handle things at the lowest level possible and not bother the Chiefs or Officers unless the offense was serious (and by serious I mean that the guy killed someone or stole the Hope Diamond or something like that).

As for what the Navy has morphed into today, I can hardly see any of the camaraderie or the espirit-de-corps that was apparent during my time. Society has changed and has led to the entitlement culture which translates into headaches for anyone running any of the military services today. I wish all my brothers and sisters struggling with this problem today the best of luck. Reading this thread I am glad to see that some of the traditions and culture of the Navy I knew are still alive in the sailors of today.

Fair winds and following seas,
Tim

Response by PO2 Michael Stinar made Mar 4 at 2015 12:43 PM

PO2 Michael Stinar — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 12:43:20 -0500

This New Navy; Cammo Outfits, No Shellback/ Bluenose Rituals, times indeed have changed. This is “MY” Opinion I actually wonder if our Military has improved. Being softened by the lack of Time ordained Traditional Rituals kept our Sailors and Military for that matter Character’s STRONG, I'm sure the Army and Marines have had their same Rituals stripped away by this Politically Correct Society we now live in, However it's my Opinion that our military’s fighting force has been weakened, Yea we can beat up on small Countries like Iraq, and the bands of the Taliban - we are an AWESOME Force, however, Matched up against the likes of North Korea or China, I am not sure in a conventional Battle, we would be able to hold our ground & I am most DEFINATELY sure our PUBLIC doesn't have the stomach to handle such a conflict anymore. I Love this Country and Love the Dedicated Military Men & Women who serve every day & I am also Proud to have served myself like my Father did, However - the Higher Ups or Powers to be, have softened our Fighting Men & Women by taking these LONG held Traditions away, and replaced them with Cool Looking Combat Looking Cammo Uniforms, and treated them like porcelain dolls that break if you drop them, not to mention treat them to hard. I understand this PTSD thing; however there is a difference between Collage Hazing & Military Time Honored Traditions that developed Character, and as of late have been called Hazing also, and have put a stop to them all. So getting to my point, I don't think over the past 20 years our Military has gotten stronger, in fact I feel they have gotten "Mentally" weaker. Technology Definitely has improved - NO Doubt, but to win Major Conflicts, You need STRONG Character and Uniforms don't win Battles, Men & Women with Strong Characters DO !!!

And that's what ALL those long held Traditional Riturals were really meant to do – Build Character......

Response by MCPO Dan Whittle made Mar 6 at 2015 1:30 AM

MCPO Dan Whittle — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 01:30:15 -0500

I have a little experience to speak to this topic. I joined the Navy as a non-designated Fireman Recruit (E1) in 1981 and after nine different ships, twelve deployments including boots on the ground in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and a combat tour in Afghanistan, I retired a Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman (E-9) in 2011.
For those unfamiliar with the Navy, when you join you are guaranteed a school or training in a specific rating (MOS in other branches) or you were “assigned” a general on-the-job training field, Fireman, Seaman, and Airman. Fireman field represents the ships engine mechanics and everything associated with that general area. Seaman field is what the lay world think of when they think Sailor. They are the Boatswain Mates, Signalmen, Quartermasters and the like. They are jacks of all trades on the ship, they paint, drive the boats, you name it. Airman, as you might figure works on the aircraft, helicopter or fixed wing. That is an area that has changed a few times in the last twenty years, from what I just described to everyone is sent to a school out of basic training. There are pros and cons to this change. Someone is going to do the crap work and that used to fall to the non-rates because if you had training you were needed in your division. But crap work did not go away.
In the early 80’s, most of my supervisors were Viet Nam Vets and could not understand the worthless POS’s joining the Navy today, because in there day life in the Navy was different…..
The 80’s was a particularly good time to be in the service. The economy sucked and Ronald Reagan was in the White House and the purses where opening for the first time since forever. The 600 ship Navy meant lots of money to buy things without many people checking very close to what things cost. Then the $700.00 hammers and toilet seats made the news. Now, every pen and pencil is accounted for. So that has changed.
The hangover of the 80’s spending brought peace time military cuts for the 90’s and Sailors were being paid to leave the Navy. Until, the Gulf War I. I was a Recruit Company Commander (Drill Instructor to the rest of you) during this time period. The size of the company went from 70’ish to 90+ in what seemed to be overnight. If you had a pulse, you graduated from basic. Now, it’s a bit more challenging with what is called “battle stations”, with real Navy world scenarios. So that has changed. Perfect? No. But better.
Post-Gulf War and pre 9-11 saw many changes some good, most not so good. Work smarter not harder and Zero tolerance were hot phrases. In my opinion, these philosophies has had the most impact on changing the face of the Navy. It became much easier for Sailors to apply for and get accepted to college and commissioning programs that resulted in a huge vacuum of talented worker Sailors. Some who came back as Officers with not great attitudes towards then minions who chose not to go over to the dark side. Zero tolerance prematurely ended the careers of thousands of quality, knowledgeable Navy leaders in both the Officer and enlisted ranks. Head hunting became the way to downsize otherwise great Sailors. That went away for the better part of the early 2000’s, but has returned under other names of rightsizing the fleet. Sad regardless what you call it.
Mid 2000’s brought in the social the engineering phase. Can’t we all get along? E-1’s have an equal voice in matters of “quality of life” and other issues, like evaluating their leaders. Sounds good on paper and in DC but in practice not so much. Sacred domains such as the Chief Petty Officers Mess on ships have all but gone away, because, who are they to eat better and have nicer accommodations that the regular squid? Besides, everyone knows that devil worshiping had to be going on behind those closed doors. And to promote to E8 you would now need a two year degree and to E9 a four year degree, or so was the threat (I took two college classes, still made E9, F’em). What may work for the Air Force does NOT work in the Navy.
In an effort to fill US Army positions as trainers and mentors in combat areas, the Navy who needed to cut 25,000 Sailors came up with a great idea to “augment” the Army with Sailors in roles of Embedded Training Teams in Iraq and Afghanistan. I for example spent 3 months in the Kansas snow learning everything there is to know about being a Soldier…. Uh, well as far as you know…. I did learn how to put plastic rap on a sucking chest wound and how to stick an IV in some unfortunate souls arm. Then sent to Helmand Provence, Afghanistan to train an Afghan Army Command Sargent Major how to be a Command Sargent Major. Yeah, not so much. He had a “night job” that prevented him from being around when our base would come under attack. Note to self; I joined the Navy so I would NOT have to run around with 80lbs of gear on and get shot at….. What the hell was I doing in the most deadly place in the world living with an Army of soldiers who wanted to kill me? But I digress.
And I just don’t understand these worthless POS’s joining the Navy today, back in my day life in the Navy was different…..

Response by PO2 Lon Hebert made Mar 11 at 2015 11:25 PM

PO2 Lon Hebert — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 23:25:45 -0400

In June 1992 I found out that I had not made RM1 Again for the 7th time. I saw the hand writting on the wall. back then it was bad when ever I told some one to go clean the head and would get why I would tell them well let me see I am a RM2(SW) and you are a SA-Seaman Apprentice and I told your butt to do this and if we fail inspection then you will be here all night cleaning the head. well he did it right for the CO's inspection.(I was on sea duty USS ROANOKE AOR-7) by the time I went on shore duty in dec 1991 I saw the hand writting on the wall next month it will be 15 years since I retired on April 30th 1993. but do not get me wrong I loved the navy I was in 1978-1993.

Response by PO2 Lon Hebert made Mar 19 at 2015 12:04 AM

PO2 Lon Hebert — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 00:04:40 -0400

all I know is that when I entered the navy in houston texas I knew that I wanted to be on the west coast had no desire to be on the east coast. so after OSVET School, RM "A" (graduated early cause I tested out had 6 years of AF Comms) just had to learn ship-shore communications so I tested out and scored a 92 plus typed on fredd, 45 WPM. But had to sit at NTC San Diego waiting 4 weeks so fianlly after sweeping streets. I called my recruiter STGSC(SS) Hunter and told him get me some orders he goes where overseas. Japan. he told me pack your trash so that day got my dress whites cleaned and packed my sea bag. next day at quarters I waited for my name then I hear and I was told go see the YN2, So I go into the admin shack and she goes tell me how does a RMSN get these orders. so I go where she handed me the orders that read "COMSEVENTHFLEET Embarked on USS OKLAHOMA CITY CG-5. I go sweet, I told her my Recruiter STGSC(SS) Hunter got me these orders, so I got me a hotel room out by the airport then went to get something to eat and drink flew to san francisco then took a C-5 cargo lift to Yokota AB. I knew that I was going to like these orders. by the time I Returned to the states for RMC-7, and IMCO I was a RM3 when I flew home to houston when I stepped out of the extension to the air craft my dad who was a RM3 during WWII. I saw the tears in his eyes when he saw me step off the plane.

Response by PO3 Larue Drinkwater made Mar 20 at 2015 4:20 PM

PO3 Larue Drinkwater — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 16:20:54 -0400

I heard that the navy has taken away shell back and blue nose because it was to ruff. That (to me) made you feel you were apart of a family. I loved being on the USS America CV66 one proud mag rat. Well I guessing by a lot of comments that the navy has gotten soft instead of salty

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made Mar 20 at 2015 6:09 PM

PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 18:09:25 -0400

Unisex uniforms...... You can't cuss at shitbags...can't knife-hand. Shitbags... No connex-box counselings allowed... They have "slow groups" for people at PT now instead of pushing them to succeed

The eval structure is still the same haha! Horrible!

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 7:46 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 19:46:14 -0400

Wow, in the past 23 years I have served four years in the Army and the past 19 in the Navy. Having gone to both Army and Navy Bootcamp, the thing I noticed right off the bat was the disregard for authority in the Navy. In the Army, if an NCO told you to get down and knock out 50 push-ups, you didn't ask why, you just did. Then in the Navy, no one was allowed to make you get down and do push-ups. An NCO in the Army used this basic technique to correct personnel deficiencies while ensuring you were physically fit, ensuring you understood the chain of command. Then when entering the Navy, I saw SN telling PO2's to STFU and, you F'ing sweep that up, I'm not a janitor. The PO2 had to eat it because he had no power to correct the deficiency other than going to cry to the Chief. The threat of a counseling chit had no meaning because no one ever wanted paperwork.

I remember going from a battalion of 600 people who got along, to an LSD where every single division hated each other and even the CPO's stabbed each other in the back in order to get the good evals.

After being on an LSD and then a CG, I decided that I needed to go Green Navy, where the GROWN UPS served. There, I noticed that a PO3 was running programs that a CPO was running in the Blue Navy. And guess what, the PO3 was doing it better, because he wasn't being micromanaged and was allowed to make his own mistakes. There was no babysitting required on the Green side, where in the Blue, you needed to always have a PO1 babysitting everyone.

The discipline in the Green side was there because the moment you stepped out of line, you weren't threatened with a counseling chit, you were threatened with being sent back to the fleet the first time and the second offense, you were actually gone.

I have seen the Navy overall go from people having to be told to knock out a qual so they can advance, to where LPO's start knocking out the qual for the person so that he can have a bullet in his eval, rather than holding the person accountable when he went Dink!

Now, leaders are approving every LDO, OCS, special programs package that comes across their desks because they are afraid someone is going to file an EO complaint, even if the person submitting the package is a dirtbag. And next thing you know, at PO1 lazy pants dumbass is Ensign lazy pants dumbass causing trouble.

The Navy has become so afraid of denying young undeserving Sailors of what they believe they are entitled to because they are afraid of the EO and sexual harassment option that everyone immediately aims for.

We've lost shellback initiations, blue nose and CPO induction because of the kinder gentler Navy. Guess what? The other Navies may not have the technology that we are so proud of, but they have the tougher more discipline Sailors that would put our fat EO ready to complain Sailors to shame.

Response by FN Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 11:07 PM

FN Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 23:07:25 -0400

I graduated from boot camp Jan. 9, 2015. I was 909- state flags. The reservist back home told me about boot camp and I was ready to be challenged, build character and discipline. Let me tell you, it was an adult day care with strict rules. We don't do the running around base thing for battle stations. There is a thing called "Training Time Out". You call it when someone is passing out, threw up on the track, or you don't feel safe during a training. (Ex. Freaking Out in the gas chamber) They can't PT us everyday cause they don't want to stress us out to much. They want us to balance it out with academics. They can't drop you randomly, you have to do something bad to get IT. They whip out an Orange card with #1-10 and you can either pick a number or RDC picked one. It was stressed the first couple weeks but it got easier. We, both RDC and recruits, can't cuss cause people found it offensive and it isn't quality leadership. Luckly, I had good RDC but I wish it was like tougher. I got almost 5 phone calls throughout boot. I don't know how the Navy was back then, but from what my instructors say, it has definitely changed.... A lot.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 8:29 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 20:29:20 -0400

Not much respect for rank structure. I go over twenty next month. If I were to talk to my YN1 when I was an E3/4/5 like these guys talk to me it would have been over with. I get questioned like we are on a leveled playing field and it's accepted when it shouldn't be. I sometimes spend a good portion of my time with nonsense paperwork that these incidents accompany. It's madness. I will not miss this. I wish I wasn't questioned by juniors when I tell them to do something and I wish they didn't question me - like where were you? I can imagine the look on my face when I get this because "in my day" that's not the way it worked. I am sad that I don't get the same respect that I show to my seniors. I have earned it but not to these guys who are so entitled and it shouldn't be this way. I have tried to correct this but this culture we have now, you have to baby them and it's ridiculous. It could also just be my time to go.

When I came in up until about 10 years ago we (mostly) all took our PRTs on the same day and it turned into a BBQ. There was a keg at the finish line and the smokers where all taking their last puffs before the run while in formation with everyone else - good times. Now with all the DUIs and we are responsible for everyone - the whole keg thing wouldn't work.

A lot has changed for the better, SAPR is serious business now. It wasn't always like that and that's good. I hope to see a fleet where men/women do not go through what I went through, because there is no place for that. We should all be a team, no individual men and women.

Response by PO1 Michelle McVay made Mar 23 at 2015 5:12 PM

PO1 Michelle McVay — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:12:43 -0400

I thought when we got to use beepers for duty section recall was something. Of course thst changed to cell phones. Most of all my deployments it was using a landline to connect back home.

Response by PO1 Allan Robinson made Mar 26 at 2015 5:35 AM

PO1 Allan Robinson — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 05:35:01 -0400

So nice to be home and not have to think about leaving again

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 7:59 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 07:59:55 -0400

They've gotten a lot better at scoffing at change.

And they went from "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to "Try Not To Shout It From the Quarterdeck We're All Sailors And We Don't Want to Confirm Any Suspicions the Army Has"

Other than that they're mostly the same.

Response by PO3 Tanis Huston made Apr 2 at 2015 8:44 AM

PO3 Tanis Huston — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 08:44:12 -0400

It's funny my husband and I have this same conversation all the time, he went in the Navy in 92 and was out before I went in the Navy in 02. We go through our Navy gear and it's funny you can see the differences, he had the old blue Jean utilities and I have the new ones, shortly after I got out in 07 they went to the digital camies. When he was in boot camp there was no such thing as stress cards, yep the division that startd just after me had stress cards they could hold up if things where "to tough" in Feb 2002 we where up at 430 with reveille playing, by Mar a month in They has to stop because other divisions that where starting didn't have to get up until 6.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 11:50 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:50:34 -0400

Drastically, some for the better, some not.

During my first three deployments, we had nothing but snail mail on which to reply for comms with the home front. I remember my wife and I having to number our letters to one another, as they often got delivered out of order. It was tough, but we managed. That said, I would consider the Internet to have bettered our lives with regard to connecting with loved ones while away. I don't know, however, if the Internet is a benefit writ large...people are less active as a result of the Internet; something I believe is a disadvantage.

I do miss the days when the Navy allowed the use of alcohol in a responsible manner. I remember when PRTs used to be conducted on one day, not over a months-long length of time. The PRT for a command was scheduled on one day, you simply didn't take leave on that day. It was always on a Friday, first thing in the morning, after which you had a choice...go back to work, or head to the beach for a BBQ and kegger with everyone else.

Before I get bashed for the comment on having a command kegger, we took care of each other in those days...and with no need for a policy in place to mandate that we did so. We had volunteers to act as DDs and never had an issue with DUIs. It may not have been that way everywhere, but it was where I was stationed. That is, until the Navy decided that having such functions was a no-no. After that, people went off to do their own separate thing and as a result, I saw DUIs that we never had an issue with before. Just my own personal experiences.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 4:00 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:00:16 -0400

While only vaguely related to the topic, I thought I'd post this picture. These two are from very different versions of the U.S. Navy. I know these meetings and pictures are for PR, but I still can't get out of my head just how cool this picture really is.

When you're a vet, survive WWII, and live long enough to have your picture taken with the CNO some 70 years later...you're bad ass! I have nothing but respect for the CNO, but he's not the hero in this pic!

Details of the photo:

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert speaks with World War II veteran Con Crabb during the 66th annual Chattanooga Armed Forces Day parade. Greenert was the reviewing officer for the event. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Laird (Released) 150501-N-AT895-095

Response by SN Joyce Sunderland made May 7 at 2015 7:47 PM

SN Joyce Sunderland — Thu, 07 May 2015 19:47:41 -0400

Memories of my time in the service:
Hafa! I was at NavSta Guam - Port Ops in '93 when they had the big quake ... Port Ops had fun trying to pull the piers back together. I'd been there a month when it hit. Pretty scary experience for a small-town kid from Nebraska.
I remember going to a friend's house in Lockwood Terrace and seeing her bubblehead hubby's internet setup & being amazed that he was chatting with people on the other side of the world... and trying to figure out the time difference between Guam and Nebraska so I could call home & tell my folks I was doing ok. Calls were so expensive that I wrote more letters than I called home.
I remember working my hind end off while doing line-handling on the Navy harbor tugs & feeling a sense of pride that my face was one of the first new faces those shipboard sailors may have seen in months.
I remember a strong sense of teamwork & a keen sense of belonging.
I remember when we got a new Bos'n for Port Ops & thinking "That's an officer who inspires me to do better, be better."
I remember our PT consisting of going to the base bowling alley & getting drunk while rolling several frames.
I remember a Port Ops party at Gab Gab beach, playing volleyball in the coral sand, reef walking, and stepping on a GD sea cucumber.
I remember feeling VERY teeny tiny when I saw my first "Gator Freighter" up close & being absolutely fascinated watching the SEAL's practicing in the harbor.
I remember being on watch the night the Admiral's gig was found on the bottom of the harbor & having to go "up the hill" for the board of inquiry. Sometimes, being a "dumb seaman" had it's advantages. All I had to do was report what I saw ... which was nothing.
I remember being jealous of my Seabee roommates in the enlisted barracks because they got to leave the island.
I remember getting orders to a destroyer in Everett, WA to be one of the first females in the Navy to serve aboard a warship ... and my now ex's hissy fit over the fact that he'd have to take care of our kids by himself if I ever went to sea & so he pressured me to get out, which my Bos'n (very much rightly so) told me that I would regret ... and I do to this day. Being Navy was my niche, my place in this world. I loved every minute of my time in & wish every day that I would have been smarter & stayed in.

Can't believe I remember this much of my time in this far in time from then ...

Now, I hardly claim my time in the Navy ... I only did a bit over half of my 4 yr enlistment thanks to an ex who, well ... he wasn't nice. Yeah, I served, but it doesn't feel like I really served. It wasn't really wartime in 93-95, I wasn't on board a ship. I was just on overseas shore duty. Maybe I'd feel differently had I served my full enlistment contract &/or made a career of the Navy.

Editing to add that I wish I could have gone through a Crossing the Line or Shellback ceremony ... or not. LOL!

Response by SN Zenefia Rahim made May 8 at 2015 2:10 AM

SN Zenefia Rahim — Fri, 08 May 2015 02:10:55 -0400

It's a corporation now. No tradition, no morale. Let the young sailors mess up and kick them out rather than teach them and make great leaders. Be afraid to go to your leadership and watch everyone stab each other in the back for a good eval.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 9 at 2015 12:35 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 09 May 2015 00:35:52 -0400

No McDonald's on ships though I have heard that some larger deck ships (gators and carriers) have Starbucks. I don't THINK (I could be wrong) that they use actual Starbucks baristas but FSA's who are "trained" to make coffee the Starbucks way.

Internet is pretty good these days, especially if you're an IT (merger of the old RM & DP ratings).

If you're within cell phone range and the CO authorizes it you can use your phone.

Response by PO2 John Riley made May 23 at 2015 9:09 AM

PO2 John Riley — Sat, 23 May 2015 09:09:17 -0400

I can only tell you how it changed since 1958. I was deployed on destroyers (DD 703 Wallace L. Lind) and we operated with the Nautilus - our first nuclear sub

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 23 at 2015 9:11 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 23 May 2015 09:11:06 -0400

Well, for one thing, it doesn't have any more of these ...

Response by PO3 Gregory Fessia made Nov 29 at 2016 9:34 PM

PO3 Gregory Fessia — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 21:34:31 -0500

The dress whites are uglier, the summer whites and the winter blues(Johnny Cash) uniforms for e6 and below are gone replaced by a year round class B uniform with khaki shirts, dress blue trousers and garrison caps. The rank is now worn as collar devices and e4-e6 wear rank on the covers. Females are wearing white hats and jumpers even dress blues and they look like men. The female CPOs and officers are wearing mens' style combo caps and choker whites and they look pretty masculine too. Obviously, the Navy has been brainwashed into believing that there is only one gender now. It is so ironic how such academically intelligent flag officers have become stupid, and politically correct just because the White House is.

Response by PO1 Dallas Shewmaker made Dec 6 at 2016 11:09 AM

PO1 Dallas Shewmaker — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 11:09:18 -0500

I think the biggest thing that has changed over the years is that the removal of tradition and camaraderie is systematically being removed from being in service. Serving in the military used to be something that people pridefully and willing did. Now, it's just "something to do" because they don't have any other options. Keeping in mind that there are some that join the military for traditional reasons but many simply don't. They expect the military to be just like any other job. When I worked in recruiting, I made sure that I was telling prospects the true story. I think this, along with proper screening, makes for strong and dedicated recruits. Unfortunately, this also scares people off... especially in this generation where they are so unwilling to work for anything. Yes, it's 12 hours on and 12 hours off while deployed... but then you have to work one typical workday out of three in a port like Australia! Come on! People spend thousands of dollars for a week in a place like that!

Challenge builds character. It tests who you are as a person. As a young person, you grown and mature. You develop mature skill sets and build up your core values, even if those values don't necessarily align with yours (I know many who do a "4 and out"). That's what's changed. Our military continues to break down the foundation of what makes our military (and its personnel) great! It's catering to those who want to make the military just like every other job.