Tiger119 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 1491 times:
OK, I have spent all day in the Internet (don't tell my boss ) and I have been trying to figure a couple things out about the US Navy. They are not aviation in nature.
Number 1: What is a "Boatswains Mate"
Number 2: Names of ships. I know most US Naval ship's names start off with a "USS" in front of their names but I have seen "USNS" in front of some. They seem to be all support type service ships. The second question is, what does "USNS" stand for?
"And Thank You For Your Support!"
David
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to mankind, landing is the first!
Garnetpalmetto From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 5244 posts, RR: 55 Reply 1, posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 1483 times:
Quoting Tiger119 (Thread starter): Number 2: Names of ships. I know most US Naval ship's names start off with a "USS" in front of their names but I have seen "USNS" in front of some. They seem to be all support type service ships. The second question is, what does "USNS" stand for?
United States Naval Ship - a non-combat auxiliary support service ship in USN service crewed by civilians
I defer question 1 to someone who served in the USN and can best explain a Boatswain's mate - simple explanation is it's a rating given to the senior NCOs within the Deck Department. They have general knowledge of seamanship rather than some specific technical knowledge as might be required in other departments.
South Carolina - too small to be its own country, too big to be a mental asylum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boatswain
A boatswain, often (at least since 1868) phonetically spelled and pronounced bosun, is a warrant officer or petty officer who is foreman of a ship's crew and is sometimes also third or fourth mate.
Traindriver From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1464 times:
In the Navy, Boatswains Mates are basically the sailors. They handle the
lines during docking, and if the ship drops anchor, they perform those
duties also. If a ship has to make a "hi-line" transfer at sea, they handle
the rigging etc. They also handle any deck related tasks onboard.
The Navy rating for a Boatswain is BM. Those way down on the food chain
such as Seaman (E-3's) or Seaman Apprentice (E-2's) would be called
Boatswain Mate strikers. If you're a Petty Officer 3rd class, your rating
would be BM3. A 2nd class P.O. would be a BM2 right up to the chief P.O.
who would be a BMC.
On board Aircraft Carriers and at Naval Air Staions, there is an Aviation Boatswain Mate. I think on a Carrier, they are part of the catapult crew.
I was stationed at an Air Station and used to get some flying time aboard
P-3's as a radioman. It was so long ago, that I forgot what the Aviation
BM did. I also spent some time on a Destroyer, so I got a chance to
experience both the fleet and the airdale Navy.
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From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1919 posts, 
) and I have been trying to figure a couple things out about the US Navy. They are not aviation in nature.
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