What is the proper way to board a US Naval vessel?

2016-01-31T17:31:32-05:00

Nope, you don't get to just saunter aboard! See my post below for the proper procedure. (Originally posted as an update, RP staff said it'd be good as a question. Sorry for the duplicate, but this actually gets it to a broader pool of people who might need to know it (ie non-Sailors).

If you feel inclined to 'like' this post, please like the post below, that contains the actual info, (so it doesn't get lost below well-crafted replies), rather than this one (The titled post). This is because the Answer box is character-limited upon initial posting.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 31 at 2016 5:32 PM

2016-01-31T17:32:58-05:00

Do you know how to properly board a Naval Vessel?

(Naturally Sailors and Marines will know this -- or should!!!) For members of sister services, you may not know this, yet are required to comply fully should you ever have occasion to board one, in uniform or not.

1. Climb the gangway and stop short of the quarterdeck. (Do not step onto the ship.)
2. Turn towards the stern of the ship, and render a hand salute to the Ensign (Flag). Do this even if you can't see it. (This isn't required between the hours of sunset and 0800, when the Ensign isn't flying. Thank you SCPO Private RallyPoint Member )
3. Turn back towards the quarterdeck, and render a hand salute to the Officer of the Deck. This person may or may not be an actual officer, yet you must still do this, REGARDLESS OF YOUR RANK relative to theirs, officer OR enlisted. You should have your ID out and on display while doing this. (Thanks to SCPO Joshua I for squaring me away)
4. While saluting (because you're not likely to get a return salute until you do this), verbally request permission to come aboard. You're free to recover after the OOD returns.
5. The OOD may then tell you that permission is granted, or might ask you to state your purpose. After permission is given, you're free to board.

Notes:
-This applies to EVERYONE on active duty, regardless of what service you're in.
-If you are not in uniform, rather than saluting, turn towards the Ensign, come to attention (Thanks, Capt Mark Strobl ), then back to the quarterdeck, come to attention, then request permission to board.
-It does not matter if you are an O-6 and the OOD is an E-6, you must still salute and wait for permission (He represents the CO, who has absolute authority over the vessel.)
-Civilians are not required to do the pause/pause, but may if they wish to honor the tradition, and must request permission to board.

"Another note: Usually during working hours (when the Quarterdeck can be very busy), entry control duties will usually be delegated by the OOD to the Messenger of the Watch who is usually a Seaman or junior Petty Officer so one would request permission from him/her instead of the OOD." - SCPO Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 5:37 PM

2016-01-31T17:37:15-05:00

SN Greg Wright In or out of uniform? The ship one is serving on or a different one?

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jan 31 at 2016 5:41 PM

2016-01-31T17:41:18-05:00

I used to love watching my Marine brow sentries tell Sailors the didn't do it right and to go back and do it again. All the while, the OOD or the JOOD would not say a thing.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jan 31 at 2016 5:54 PM

2016-01-31T17:54:25-05:00

It depends who you are. If you are the Captain, you salute the Ensign, then the Officer of the Deck salutes YOU, and you "report your return onboard". All others salute the Officer of the Deck after saluting the Ensign and "request permission to come aboard".

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 6:08 PM

2016-01-31T18:08:16-05:00

Footnote for Step 2: Omit this step during the hours between sunset and 0800 since there is no Ensign there to render honors to.

Another note: Usually during working hours (when the Quarterdeck can be very busy), entry control duties will usually be delegated by the OOD to the Messenger of the Watch who is usually a Seaman or junior Petty Officer so one would request permission from him/her instead of the OOD.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 31 at 2016 6:27 PM

2016-01-31T18:27:56-05:00

The last time I was invited to board a naval vessel was in the mid-1990's at Norfolk Naval Station SN Greg Wright we were piped aboard. the senior ranking officer an O-6 went first and we followed up the gangplank to a nuclear submarine.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 6:57 PM

2016-01-31T18:57:05-05:00

i work with the Naval Sea Cadet program (Was a Sea Cadet myself); that is one of the things they learn early in the program. As a Sea Cadet adult leader, I have been aboard many Naval vessels, dockside and underway.

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Jan 31 at 2016 7:04 PM

2016-01-31T19:04:33-05:00

Grab my cutlass and flintlock, holler "Marine Corps!" and swing aboard...of course after saluting the national ensign.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Feb 1 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-02-01T11:01:17-05:00

Go up the gangway, turn to the Colors and Salute. Turn to the OOD or the person at the top of the gangway and ask "Permission to come aboard Sir/Ma'am" Hold salute until "Permission Granted" is said, drop your salute, and move out. That was my best guess from the Sea Cadets 30yrs ago

Response by PO2 Kayla Modschiedler made Feb 1 at 2016 12:26 PM

2016-02-01T12:26:14-05:00

Permission to cross the patio Daddyo!

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 1 at 2016 12:29 PM

2016-02-01T12:29:51-05:00

Proper way would not include falling into the water.... ;o)

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Feb 1 at 2016 2:24 PM

2016-02-01T14:24:17-05:00

Depends on How drunk you are coming from Liberty in Bali!! HAHAAHA

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 1 at 2016 4:39 PM

2016-02-01T16:39:23-05:00

I will remember this the next time I visit the USS Constitution. I've been going there since I was a little kid and never knew any of this. Hopefully I don't make a fool out of myself. Thanks for sharing SN Greg Wright

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 5:16 PM

2016-02-01T17:16:37-05:00

Can you just take a small boat out then throw a rope with grappling hook onto the deck and then climb aboard?

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 1 at 2016 5:58 PM

2016-02-01T17:58:58-05:00

Is the ship underway?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 3 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-02-03T11:38:58-05:00

Well, as the saying went in the Marines, depending on whether you were embarking or debarking, it was either "salute the flag, then the f$#", or "salute the f@%, then the flag"... Sorry, that's how I was taught at PI.

Response by PO2 Robert Cuminale made Feb 4 at 2016 4:59 PM

2016-02-04T16:59:11-05:00

Being a SEABEE I haven't the faintest idea of the procedure. The last ship I saw was the USS Never Sail in Boot camp in Orlando in 1971

Response by LCDR Anthony Montague made Feb 13 at 2016 5:14 PM

2016-02-13T17:14:48-05:00

SSG Swan is correct. Walk to end of gang, turn to salute The Colors. Turn again to salute the OOD and hold salute (if enlisted) until salute has been returned (depending on rank for officers as to who salutes and holds first), ask "Request permission to come aboard Sir/Ma'am". They will request to see your ID and orders/inquire as to reason for boarding. Once all is in order to their satisfaction, they will grant permission. If things are NOT in order or they have any reason for suspicion, they have a range of options from simple denial to having you held in the brig for questioning.

Leaving the ship: Salute the OOD, request permission to go ashore. Once granted, turn and salute The Colors, then disembark the ship.

Response by PO1 Sojourner "Chancy" Phillips made Feb 27 at 2016 2:07 AM

2016-02-27T02:07:27-05:00

Salute the flag, salute the watch and request permission to com aboard.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Mar 2 at 2016 5:59 PM

2016-03-02T17:59:28-05:00

Proper way is to not fall overboard as you stagger back from first night of liberty after 3 months at sea.

Response by SSG Steven E. made Nov 3 at 2016 12:05 PM

2016-11-03T12:05:57-04:00

While in New Orleans during Katrina, The Navy brought the USS Iwo Jima to the dock behind the River walk, and offered all Branches the chance to come on board and take a shower. There was a representative from the ship on the dock that briefed us on how to properly come aboard a Navy vessel.. Once aboard, the ship's personnel were classy and gracious hosts..

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 3 at 2016 9:09 PM

2016-11-03T21:09:51-04:00

we approached the guard at the base of the plank and requested permission to board and presented the orders and proceeded up the plank to OD saluted again requested permission to board ... saluted to Officer took a step saluted the Colors and were escorted below deck...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 4 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-11-04T10:35:24-04:00

SN Greg Wright I like learning things so thank you. A question though..
You use the word "proper" and I dont doubt that it is... but is it done so though tradition or regulation?
And is it common to ignore those non navy folks that do not "properly" board?
I ask as I have been on board a few Navy ships and a few Coast guard ships,,,and though ignorance never "properly" boarded. ..not a word was said...
Next question,,is the "proper" way to board different if you do not come on board from land? IOW, if you arrive by helo (I did) or airplane (I did)

Response by SN Edward Dempsey made Jun 25 at 2020 10:10 PM

2020-06-25T22:10:09-04:00

You did not mention thar before saluting the US flag, you have to face the bow and either salute or if in civilian clothes stand at attention, and our Jack some respect. Then left face salute the flag, and then salute the OD. Ask for permission to come a board, and if an officer, you say sir at the end. I did plenty of Quarter Deck watches, i never not saluted anyone coming on borad my ship, and I've never seen an OD not saute someone asking permission to come aboard.