The Origin of the Crow

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.

After many days of thought at morning quarters the Skipper was instructing his men on the daily task as birds flew overhead one solitary crow stood out in the flock of sea gulls as it passed the Captain gazed into the sky to watch the magnificent bird fighting for food “Men, I want you to look at that solitary crow fighting his way through the seagulls to get his food. That is the symbol that will represent my Petty Officers.” As the crow passed overhead the bird did what they do best and shat upon the shoulder of the Captain.

The skipper instead of anger showed a menacing smile, “Also with this symbol to set aside you further more I would like to see each of my most junior of Petty Officers to wear on Chevron to represent how much crap you will catch from those above you and as you increase your title you will increase how much crap you will have to take. Until the point where you are to no longer be Petty Officers but the Chief of the Petty Officers, at which time you will have a cap placed on top of your Chevron because since at this point you will be so full of crap that you will not be catching crap any longer.” The men did as there Captain said and word spread throughout the Navy and this is the origin of the crow.