Posted on Jan 31, 2016
What is the proper way to board a US Naval vessel?
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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.
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.
Sailors
Naval/Maritime History
Customs and Courtesies
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Edited 9 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 24
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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".
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SCPO (Join to see)
SCPO Joshua I Same on all my ships. Officers are supposed to get permission from the CO/XO before going ashore.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
In my experience, we officers did report that we had permission to go ashore, rather than requesting it from the OOD. Permission came technically from the CO, but was granted by Department Heads for Division Officers and the XO for Department Heads. We still requested permission to come aboard from the OOD, however, because something like a Security Alert might preclude that.
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PO1 Clint Miller
When your ship is nested outboard you follow the same steps but the request is to cross over to (name of vessel)
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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.
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Capt Mark Strobl
LTC Trent Klug , SN Greg Wright --better to be "squared away" by one of your own --at least before the CPO of the Watch figures out who you are (and your 1stSgt's name as well)!
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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)
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)
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SN Greg Wright
It's regulation AND tradition. If you come on board from a dock and ignore the OOD and proper procedures, you're likely to find yourself on the wrong end of a gun (they're armed), and a security team call-out. Until I read your entire post, where you came on board from the air, I was scratching my head, because if you ever came on from land and got away with that, someone wasn't doing their job. As for coming from air, no, this doesn't apply.
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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..
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Salute the flag, salute the watch and request permission to com aboard.
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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.
Leaving the ship: Salute the OOD, request permission to go ashore. Once granted, turn and salute The Colors, then disembark the ship.
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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.
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.
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Capt Mark Strobl
SCPO (Join to see) - (Asking because I have forgotten...) During hours of darkness, the Union Jack replaces the ensign. Are salutes rendered to the Union Jack?
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SCPO (Join to see)
Capt Mark Strobl No, nothing replaces the Ensign after sunset. The only thing flying from a ship inport after sunset is the commissioning pennant or the personal flag of an embarked commander. Underway, the Ensign is up 24/7, but flies from the mast.
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SN Greg Wright
Capt Mark Strobl - SCPO (Join to see) Hey, I posted this thread and forgot that they take the Ensign down at Sunset in port, lol! It was a 'I'm glad no one can see my face right now' moment, lol!
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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.
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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...
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Proper way is to not fall overboard as you stagger back from first night of liberty after 3 months at sea.
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