On Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:24:49 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Don White" wrote in message
.. .

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Don White" wrote in message
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"Eisboch" wrote in message
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Watching the live commissioning ceremonies for the USS George Herbert
Walker Bush CVN 77.

Love the tradition.

Eisboch

What network??

I forgot. I think it was on a couple. The live coverage was cool.
They go through the ceremonial commissioning as an active warship, then
announce "Set the watch, section one". Then a civilian guest (in this
case the elder Bush's daughter), says a few words then issues the order
for the sailers assigned to the new ship (who are all standing at
attention on the dock) to man their stations and "bring the ship alive".
All the ships complement then run in single or double lines down the
dock, up the gangway and take their positions on the ship. From that
time on, until it is de-commissioned, there will always be naval people
on watch aboard the ship. The commissioning crew are known as "plank
owners" of the newly commissioned ship.

They had a typical flyover by some modern Navy fighters, then they
surprised the elder Bush by having a solo, WWII vintage Avenger (the type
of airplane Bush flew in the war) fly over the ship.
You could tell he was both surprised and moved.

Even the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) in Boston harbor still has
active duty sailers standing watch aboard her. She's still an active
duty ship in the US Navy.

Eisboch


Too bad there's a war ongoing. We used to get visits from the new
carriers each summer.
http://bushcommissioning.com/


I don't know how the Canadian services compare, but having been in the US
military service for the better part of 9 years back in the "old" days,
today's US Navy personnel are amazingly professional.

Every ship or command has a senior enlisted, non-commissioned officer
(usually a Master Chief Petty Officer) who is designated as the command's
"Master Chief". (There is also a Master Chief of the Navy as well). The
Master Chief is the liaison between the ship's commissioned officers and
enlisted personnel for all non operational issues. Look at the background
and qualifications of the USS George H.W. Bush's Master Chief:

"Master Chief Port holds a MBA in Management, Bachelor of Science Degree in
Political Science and is a designated Master Linguist. His personal awards
include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Air Medal
(Individual Action), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), and the Navy
Achievement Medal (4 awards)."

He enlisted in the Navy in 1986 as a seaman recruit.
Not exactly a slacker.

Eisboch

Yabut, in Harry's book he's stupid.