dave, the term pre-dates double double duece.

btw, as I recall subs were never referred toas ships, but rather as boats. Yet
I seem to remember you claimed to be ship driver.

huh? How come you never heard the term? It has been around since Christ
was a
corporal in the infantry. In the US military, O-1 ranks wear a gold bar as
a
rank indicator, hence a "brown bar".

Yes, I know well what bars each wears. But the term "brown bar" was never
used within my hearing as best I can remember. Certainly not in the
wardroom, though our CO was a mustang. Since we were part of the sub fleet,
it might be that it's a term used mainly by the guys on the ground, which we
just didn't have.

At any rate I was an Ensign for the first part and a JG for the 2nd part of
my tour.
Dave
S/V Good Fortune
CS27