I’m from the old, “New Navy”. We didn’t have Drill Instructors or Company Commanders, we had RDCs (Recruit Division Commander). It always made sense to me in a way, after all, Drill Instructors are for Marines and Company Commander just sounds Army to me. We weren’t in a company anyway, the Navy doesn’t have companies, we have divisions and departments. So, Recruit Division Commander, I could justify that change.

Our RDCs didn’t hit us, either. They threatened to hit us constantly, but it was just part of their mind games that they liked to play. Boot Camp, all in all, was one big mind game mixed with marching and a lack of sleep. Taps was at 2200 (if we were lucky) and reveille was 0400. We had watch every other night, resulting in even less sleep and all of this, played into the psychological games that the RDCs would play.

The biggest mind game of all, letting out secrets about something called Battle Stations. We were told over and over again that if we failed battle stations, we would fail boot camp and have to start all over again. When was this battle stations to happen? Without a moments notice, they would say. All lies, of course.

Battle Stations amounted to nothing more than a single night of: running over 5 miles (carrying a seabag full of wet clothes), fighting “simulated” fires, swimming with a bunch of Navy Seals, and performing events like escaping a sinking ship and getting a ship underway for an emergency. You know, common, every day Navy occurences.

I’m not knocking the value of Battle Stations, it pulled our division together and we worked as a team. Where are those guys today, I have no idea.

I was surprised that the “New Navy” had gotten even newer. By newer, I mean weaker, of course. Here’s a blurb from navy.mil about the newer battle stations:

Recruits stand at attention during their capping ceremony after successfully completing Battle Stations 21 aboard USS Trayer (BST 21). Battle Stations 21 is the culmination of all training received at the Navy’s only boot camp. It is a grueling 12-hour test of a recruit’s skills in several shipboard evolutions, including fighting fires and stopping floods. The event is held entirely aboard Trayer and marks the recruit’s final rite of passage into the Navy.

“The event is held entirely aboard Trayer”. Well, so much for the hardest part of battle stations.

I also heard that recruits sleep in until 0600.

Anyone know if this is true?

Many years ago a Captain aboard one of the finest wooden Navy vessels was revolutionizing the way things would be run. This was shortly after the rank of Petty Officer was created so the Captain insisted to find a way of separating his appointed men over those they were to serve over.

Read the full story

Subject: Military Rules for the Non-Military Personnel

Dear Civilians,

We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation have many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can’t join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas we would like your assistance with:

Read the full story

For all you Land lovers out there…get a taste of our life

Read the full story

There is a long standing Naval Tradition known as Shellback Initiation or wog day and it occurs when a Navy Ship crosses the equator. This initiation ceremony, also known as the Crossing the Line Ceremony is a long standing Naval Tradition and is one of the most threatened of the Navy’s Traditions.

Navy Shellback Initiation has always involved a lot of contriversy and lately, Navy shellback initiation is in danger of becoming extinct due to the political correctness of today’s Navy. Regardless, we are here to document shellback initiation as a great Naval tradition and to help keep alive the loyal order of shellbacks.

Read the full story