Thread: 12 Strong
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Old 01-25-2018, 18:49   #18
Surf n Turf
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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The Navy / Marine Corps is split on more than just enlisted, chief, and O's. There is a caste system within each

You have LDO's (Limited duty Officers (x-em). who typically have a "unique" skill, and is promoted directly. He exhibits "leadership skills" (like Engineering officer) that are not required of a WO. If memory serves, He is senior to a Chief Warrant (W5), but cannot command a vessel. He is also restricted in rank, which was at Lt. Commander (Major). He is often the butt of jokes from "real" officers in the Ward Room. I believe that same is true with the Marine Corps...except being the butt of jokes... I don't think a jarhead would tolerate it.

Then you have Staff / Line officers. Same ranks, but the Line Officers (Stars on the sleeve) are in command of vessels, and the staff officers (Supply, Intel, etc. ) are not. Bad breach of protocol for a staff officer to call out a line officer..regardless of rank.

In the higher O category you have Rear Admiral (08), and Rear Admiral (lower-half O7). Same uniform, same rank insignia (but the wife's know the pecking order). I use to ride the bus into the Pentagon (in the basement, if that dates me) with an Army Brigadier General (O7) who did not rate a staff car, but his counterpart (Navy O7) did... I thought it was amusing...the General did not.

The navy has a rating, Stewart (use to be all Pilipino, the only ratings open to them) that are the personal valet of the officer corps. They did everything from shining the shoes, making the beds, to serving dinner in the ward room. They kept a separate mess, and funding was applied to each officers "tab", which he reconciled monthly. Sort of like a club. I understand that the rating is now changed to Culinary Specialists (Cooks), or Mess Management Specialist. Still heavily Filipino, and still an avenue to citizenship for Filipino's.

Warrant officers, open only to enlisted Chief's (E7 up), on the same grading as the Army. Was very difficult to obtain, as the CO had to approve, and live with the empty slot until filled at selection time. I had several acquaintances who lost out because of "command concern" I believe the Navy has now opened up the warrant program up, in certain fields (cyber, CT, Intel) wherein a 1st Class (E6) can apply. I also believe the Next level up from the command now approves, thus removing the "shortage" problem from the CO's mind / plate.

I understand that a great deal of this nonsense "disappears" in the "silent service" of our Sub Fleet.

SnT
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