#Basic Training for Seaman

[ausetkmt]

On this day in 1838, Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom and found his calling as a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. Douglass escaped slavery by boarding a train to Havre de Grace, Maryland.

He was dressed in a sailor's uniform, provided to him by Anna Murray, (he married her 12 days later, she was a free Black woman in Baltimore) she also gave him part of her savings to cover his travel costs, and carried identification papers which he had obtained from a free black seaman. He crossed the Susquehanna River by ferry at Havre de Grace, then continued by train to Wilmington, Delaware.

From there he went by steamboat to "Quaker City" (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and continued to the safe house of abolitionist David Ruggles in New York; the whole journey took less than 24 hours. Frederick Douglass later wrote of his arrival in New York: "I have often been asked, how I felt when first I found myself on free soil. And my readers may share the same curiosity. There is scarcely anything in my experience about which I could not give a more satisfactory answer.

A new world had opened upon me. If life is more than breath, and the 'quick round of blood,' I lived more in one day than in a year of my slave life. It was a time of joyous excitement which words can but tamely describe.

In a letter written to a friend soon after reaching New York, I said: 'I felt as one might feel upon escape from a den of hungry lions.' Anguish and grief, like darkness and rain, may be depicted; but gladness and joy, like the rainbow, defy the skill of pen or pencil."

Frederick Douglass first tried to escape from Freeland, who had hired him out from his owner Colonel Lloyd, but was unsuccessful. In 1836, he tried to escape from his new owner Covey, but failed again. In 1837, Douglass met and fell in love with Anna Murray, her freedom strengthened his belief in the possibility of his own.

Once he had arrived, he sent for Murray to follow him to New York; she arrived with the necessary basics for them to set up home. They were married on September 15, 1838, by a black Presbyterian minister eleven days after his arrival in New York.

[celeste-i]

flints general apathy and distance to the crew ("the men find me aloof, too educated") is bc of the navy hierarchies of the officers and the men never being familiar. there were certain areas of the ship that only officers could be in. and not giving proper respect to an officer (tipping you hat, saying sir, general deference) could get you flogged. so if flint went from a crew member to becoming an officer, that would give him an ego like no other and would inform basically all of his behaviour toward the crew.

I've said before that he cares about his crew and I got some disagreement from that, but he does care about them but like sheep. they are his flock and of course he is upset when they die but I think he's more preoccupied with the cost of replacing them. much like in the navy, it was hierarchical. you had services for everyone that died, but an able seaman was easily replaced whereas a lieutenant or a midshipman (who were in the class of officer and were familiar with each other, and in the case of midshipmen were directly trained and educated by the captain) would be a massive loss to the ship in terms of knowledge and money spent on bringing them up. so I think within a pirate ship where there isn't the officer-crew binary, flint struggles to have any sort of connection to the crew. not saying he should be close to them, as any good captain keeps his distance. but because there is no official "officer" class he initially only has Mr gates in his corner.

then billy (after not even knowing his name, presumably bc he referred to him as manderly), and silver, degroot etc are included. I think his meeting Madi influenced him very deeply and that's when this internal binary started to fall away and he had the likes of Dooley in his corner

[foxhopfics]

How the Squads, teams and ranks actually work in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

The dissonance in tumblr users versus the actual branches of the military and how they've been written in fics.

Now, I'm very aware that's because no one here is an actual member of the SAS, and TF141 isn't real. So it's... not exactly like we've had the first hand knowledge about it.

However, I have noticed a lack of research having gone into understanding how the military actually works. The worst culprits are the people who've never actually played CoD, but to a degree, I've seen this in like 99% of CoD writing.

So, here's your OFFICIAL easy to understand guide to how the layout of the SAS and the British Military/Her Majesty's Armed Forces will Affect Your CoD:MW Fanfiction.

SAS:

All non-officer soldiers are returned to the rank of Trooper(Private) when joining the SAS, they then have to work themselves up again.

The 22nd Regiment SAS normally has a strength of between 400 and 600 men and is commanded by a Director-Special Forces of Major-General rank. While you may get ~125 candidates for tryouts, you're only going to end up with 10 new recruits who pass. Tryouts are held twice a year, once in summer and once in winter. A soldier must be a junior NCO to attempt, and only gets 2 total tries.

The regiment has four operational squadrons each consisting of 65 men commanded by a Major. Each squadron is divided into four 16 men troops commanded by a Captain and each troop is split into four patrols with each patrol consisting of four men, referred to as Alpha Company, Squad or Team, Beta Squad, Charlie Squad, and Delta Squad. Our boys from the 141 are part of the Beta company, which is why their callsigns are Bravo 6-0 (Price), B7-0 (Ghost), B7-1 (Soap), and B6-2 (Gaz, or B5-0 in '09) respectively. They are part of the normal British army, not the air force, despite their name being special air service. Where they normally are referred to in fanfiction as "tf141" which includes price, ghost, soap, and gaz. This is incorrect. What you're writing here is SAS Bravo Company, not Task Force 141

NCO, CO, DS, Sergeant, and Warrant Officers:

NCO- Non-comissioned Officer, or Enlisted: Ranked up from Private/Seaman/Airman. The "everyman", or basic infantry. Typically learns a skill and sticks with it (i.e radio techs, mechanical techs, vehicle mechanics, foot soldiers, etc). While any officer is a higher rank than a private, an NCO is never in a higher standing than a CO. After several years, they are eligible to become a senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO). This (NCOs) is who you're likely going to have working in the armoury.

CO- Commissioned Officer: "leaders" or "managers" from the beginning. Oftentimes completed a military degree (Royal Military Academy Sandhurst), or if not, was part of UOTC in college/university. Some others finish a degree and then attend officer training. They start as Lieutenants or Ensigns (navy) and often quickly rank up to Captain.

DS- Drill Sergeant: DSs teach Greenies/new recruits the Initial Entry Training (IET). They have their own Sergeant rank system that is separate from Sergeants. They must complete Drill Officer training to become a DS. Staff Sergeant, or a "regular" Sergeant, ranks up as an or NCO, and is in charge of infantry personnel, and doesn't really have contact with recruits (different from privates, you must complete IET to move from Recruit to Private).

WO- Warrant Officer: Higher than Enlisted, but lower than CO. Oftentimes keep their specialty skill, but without as much of the supervisor role. They come in as the "specialists" for things that the NCO's can't do (i.e complicated vehicle maintenance, machine overwatch, etc)

Ranks in the British Military:

NCO ranks:

- Private

- Lance Corporal

- Corporal

- Sergeant (Soap and Gaz)

- Staff or Colour Sergeant

- Warrant Officer class 1

- Warrant Officer class 2

CO ranks:

- Officer Cadet (officer school rank)

- Second Lieutenant

- Lieutenant (Ghost)

- Captain (Price)

- Major

- Lieutenant Colonel

- Colonel

- Brigadier

- Major-General (eligible to run the SAS)

- Lieutenant General

- General

- Field Marshall

So what does this mean for Task Force 141 and JTF Ghost Team?:

Task Force 141 was created by Captain John Price after Roman Barkov's death in MW1, but before MW2 as an international collaborative task force intended to tie up loose ends via Roman Barkov's associates.

It was approved by Laswell in the CIA and General Shepherd of the US Armed Forces.

Oftentimes TF141 is solely referred to with the British team which is where the confusion between Bravo Company happens.

TF141, while also consisting of Price, Ghost, Gaz, and Soap, is still an international task force consisting of Laswell, Shephered, and Alex (American), Nikolai (Russian), Farah (Urizk), and Alejandro and Rodolfo (Mexican) and ultimately existed for only one purpose.

JTF Ghost Team: Formed by Ghost and Alejandro after they were betrayed by Graves and Shadow Company, believing not many could be trusted at that time.

It was made to flush out the corruption of Graves and Shepherd.

Member consist of: Price, Ghost, Alejandro, Gaz, Soap, Rodolfo, "Ghost 2-4 Pilot" who I suspect is Nikolai, Laswell, and a few freed Los Vaqueros.

[going-to-ikea-for-the-fries]

Timeline: Victoria Isabelle "Whiskey" Callahan

CW: Death, Grief, Fire/Burning, Burn Injuries, Scars & Injuries, Canon-Typical Violence, Torture Mentioned, Canon Character Death.

2009 - 18

Victoria graduates high school (3.4 GPA) gets accepted into College (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee).

Joins swim team and tennis in college. Begins situationships.

2010 - 19

Victoria has her first kiss with a girl whose name she doesn’t remember.

Starts dating Lucas Sutton. They date on and off.

2011 - 20

May - Graduates University

Nathan has already enlisted in the Marines and is deployed overseas.

September - Joins Navy as a Seaman (Recruit) in the second half of the year. Progresses to Seaman (Apprentice) within that same year.

Gets placed in USS Sentinel. Picks up troops (Marines and sailors, especially) from Iraq after the Iraq War was declared over.

2012 - 21

Receives Seaman rank.

Remains in the Arabian Sea in the USS Sentinel for many small anti-piracy ops off the coast of Somalia.

October-November - Hurricane Sandy happens and gets shipped back to the States for humanitarian relief.

Meets Philip Graves.

2013 - 22

Returns to Arabian Sea for the first half of the year.

Receives Petty Officer 3rd Class rank after demonstrating bravery in service.

Signs up for Navy SEALS in the second half of the year. Begins Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.

August - Meets Elaine and they bunk together for 2 years.

2014 - 23

Continues BUD/S training.

2015 - 24

Completes training (16 + 18 months = 2 years and 10 months), becomes a Navy SEAL.

Receives Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class rank.

Begins her Eastern Europe deployment assignments (anti-sex-trafficking ops).

November - Meets Meabh during an OP in the Black Sea.

2016 - 25

Continues series of deployments in Eastern Europe.

Meets Emilio during a joint operation with the Spanish Navy.

2017 - 26 

Receives Légion d'Honneur awarded by the French government for an act of heroism while off duty/on vacation.

Meabh receives the UN Peacekeeper award, Victoria is there to watch it happen.

2018 - 27

January - Loses her father and brother in a joint Marine-SEAL operation that resulted in an explosion and in many burn injuries for her. Spends 3 months on medical leave w/rehab.

Leaves home (to never come back), then spends 6 months in Officer’s Academy.

September - Graduates with Lieutenant Junior Grade rank

Gains the Whiskey callsign. Begins series of short-term deployments in Eastern Europe.

2019 - 28

January-February - Helps Meabh who’s on medical leave

June - Meets Val

Goes through Some Shit (Bad Mission, nearly died).

2020 - 29

Goes through Torture.

May - Meets Ghost & Soap

November - Starts officially working with the 141

2021 - 30

April - Marries Simon Riley

Goes through Torture Again.

June - Receives Lieutenant rank

2022 - 31

Soap & Meabh’s wedding (not invited).

Moves to Scotland with Ghost.

November - Graves betrays the 141 in Las Almas.

2023 - 32

Goes through Some Shit (Bad Mission, had to kill her way out).

August - Gets contacted by her aunt. Goes to see her cousin Rosie in New York.

November - Soap fucking dies, dog.

2024 - 33

May - Becomes an aunt! (Fiadh O'Malley MacTavish)

Extra 🫶:

Rosemary Williams belongs to my beloved @lyralein ;

Meabh O'Malley belong to my beloved @crashtestbunny ;

Emilio Melero belongs to my beloved @cod-z ;

"Valkyrie" belongs to my beloved @superhero-landing ;

Elaine Laswell belongs to my beloved @loveandplanet

[maridemira]

William Braine: Before the Franklin Expedition

He was a marine, a seaman, a husband, son, a crew member....What was life like for him prior to the famous Franklin Expedition? Who was he?

In this essay, we're gonna look at the life of William Braine, who was famously one of the Royal Marines in the Franklin Expedition. In this post, we're gonna look at Braine's life before the Franklin Expedition. Now, a disclaimer here, most of the information comes from sources found by @radiojamming and @entwinedmoon , so shout out to them. And usually, what we all know is technically mostly about his death and post-mortem, but we do know what year he was born. So stick around as we dive deep into the life of William Braine.

William Braine was born in the village of Oakhill in Somerset on March 1814. He was the third son of Shadrach and Honor Braine (nèe King), and is one of 7 children, 6 boys and 1 girl, though his oldest brother Thomas had died when he was two months old. He was baptised on May 28, 1815, in the parish of Ashwick. His father was a quarry worker and according to a biography of Braine, Shadrach Braine probably came to Oakhill to secure a job, and once he was able to and rent a two roomed cottage, he brought his wife with him to the village and thus, it was here that William was born. Almost nothing is known about Braine's mother, Honor, except for the fact that she died on August of 1823, when William was 9 years old and his father married a spinster named Elizabeth Bun. We also don't know anything about Elizabeth Bun either except for the fact that she became William's stepmother. We may hypothesise that Shadrach needed someone to take care of the children but whatever the reason may be, we'll never know.

William never had the benefit of schooling,this was evident when he came to Yeovil to join the Navy as a royal marine, instead of signing his name, he signed with an X. In fact, he left his home on late 1833 and arrived in Yeovil, Somerset to sign up as a royal marine private. The journey was rugged that time, according to Parson Skinner, the weather that December was incredibly snowy and rugged. Nevertheless, William and the other Marines who signed up travelled to Plymouth to begin their training. They would then be placed in Stonehouse Barracks where they would have been given their basic training.

On July 1834, 7 months after signing up and training as a Royal Marine Light Infantryman (RMLI), Braine was then transferred to the 8th Company Woolwich Division. This division reportedly was made of one battery, meaning troop, of the Royal Marine Artillery (RMA). However, according to the biography, Braine might have taken two routes to complete this journey, either by sea or by land, though the biography also sides with the former stating that it would have been a much swifter journey. It is certainly possible though, that in 1837, Private Braine had been involved in the burial of King William IV and the coronation of Queen Victoria. This same biography also states that Braine might have had the chance to see the action in the First Spanish Carlist War which happened in 1833 to 1840, though we are actually not certain if Braine indeed get to see the action, but he may probably have learned of it. In 1839, the First Opium War started and many detachments were sent to fight. It would be more possible that Braine was one of the detachments sent and may have fought alongside Thomas Hartnell Jr., John Hartnell's younger brother (Though really, they were probably on different ships and locations, and probably never met until 1845 in the Franklin Expedition). The British had won the war in August 29, 1842.

In October 31, 1841, 27 year old William Braine married Eliza Wood in Woolwich. We know very little about Mrs. Braine except for the fact that her father was William Wood. She too was illiterate, and by this point, both of the couple's fathers had been general labourers. There were no known children that resulted from their marriage, although it's possible that the couple did conceive, but they either had a miscarriage or their child was short lived and no information has survived, or it was probably because William was frequently away for them to be able to have children.

The years between 1841 and 1845 had been a peaceful time for William, except for the fact that according to Ralph Lloyd-Jones' paper on the Royal Marines of the Franklin Expedition, on March 9, 1844 William Braine had "Run from Furlough" which meant that he had exceeded a period of leave. We may not know why, maybe because of family affairs, we just don't know. But Lloyd-Jones suggest that this may be the reason why Braine, despite his 10 years of service as a Royal Marine Private 3rd Class, never received a promotion. One more fact is that he never appeared in any court martial or Defaulters book which suggest that he had a clean service record, but because the life of Royal Marines were not recorded until the 1880s, we may probably not know for certain what he had really done between 1833-1845.

In May of 1845, William Braine was one of the seven detachments of HMS Erebus of the famous Franklin Expedition. However, he never alloted his pay to anyone, not even his wife, but it is unknown why, but we may think that he probably is not on good terms with his family, or that something else was going on, either way may be a reason or it could be because of a completely different reason. Either way, we don't know. This is the final service that Royal Marine Private Braine would perform, because he died just after the first wintering of the expedition on April 3, 1846, at just 32 years old possibly of ailments unknown and was buried next to 20 year old Petty Officer and Lead Stoker John Torrington of the HMS Terror and 25 year old Able-bodied Seaman John Hartnell of the HMS Erebus in Beechey Island. As we know, the Franklin Expedition then sailed south to King William Land (now King William Island) which turned into a disaster and the rest is history.

William Braine was one of those who came from low backgrounds, yet made a significant impact in the history of the fate of the Franklin Expedition. Even though he is gone, he is not forgotten.

Sources: The Life of William Braine, The Royal Marines on Franklin's Last Expedition by Ralph Lloyd-Jones, Buried in Ice (1988)

[milkyplier]

The boys in branches of the military

I talked to an actual Marine and did some research, and decided it would be cool to put the boys in the Military!

Time: Army. The oldest and largest branch of the military, front and center, just like the Old Man himself. He’s a Lieutenant Colonel!

Twilight: Also Army. A Sergeant, Twi works in a K-9 unit, with his military working dog, Wolfie.

Sky: Air Force! 1st Lieutenant. Sky is a pilot, and flies jets, tankers, whatever—he’s got all the training.

Warriors: Again, Army. A Captain, of course.

Legend: He was a Navy SEAL when he first joined the military, but something happened and he requested a transfer to a different branch. Now Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Legend works in recon, which is basically the SEALs of the Marines.

Wild: A Marine Corporal. Wild was a rifleman, but after the base he worked on got bombed and very nearly led to his medical discharge from the military, he switched to food service.

Hyrule: A Navy medic who serves with Marines (the name for this position is corpsman)! Hyrule holds the rank of Lieutenant.

Wind: a Navy Seaman!

Four: A 1st Sergeant in the Marines, Four works in intel!

[ifelllikeastar]

John Coltrane's music career was slowed by World War II. Hesitant to be drafted into the Army, Coltrane instead enlisted in the Navy in August 1945. He trained at the Sampson Naval Training Station in New York as an apprentice seaman. After basic training, he was stationed at Manana, Oahu, Hawaii, in November 1945.

[writer-of-various]

Advanced Warfare OC

Alias(es): Cam, Captain, Mila, Sentinel Two-Five

Age: 36 years old

Birth: April 28, 2025

Nationality: American

Affiliations: US Navy (formerly), SEAL Team Zulu (formerly), Atlas Corporation (formerly), Sentinel Task Force

Height: 5'9

Gender: Female

Status: Alive/W.I.A

Build: Athletic

Marks: US Navy SEAL Insignia tattoo on left forearm

Background:

Born in Southern California, Camille Brooks loved the ocean, always looking forward to vacations to the beach. She became interested in the military at a very young age, and was often playing "soldiers" with the neighborhood boys. She fit in, and as she grew older and excelled at school, she graduated top of her class with a diploma. But college wasn't what she wanted, so she signed up for the US Navy as a seaman. Alongside her were her childhood best friends, and they rose together through the ranks and impressed the officers and higher ranked NCOs. At the end of basic training, they went their separate ways, and at the end of Advanced Individual Training, Brooks only had her best friend and boyfriend, Lukas West, by her side.

Two years go by and a position is opened in a newly formed Navy SEAL unit, and Brooks managed to beat the other competitors and got the spot immediately. With the world recovering from the Second Cold War, a new war was boiling and instead of governments against each other, it was governments fighting together against terrorism.

In 2050, Brooks and her unit, SEAL Team Zulu, would arrive in Bolivia to infiltrate a city that is run by a terrorist group that is planning to overthrow the Bolivian Government and gain access to the newly acquired missiles the country was given. While the mission was successful, Brooks was the only remaining soldier, and over 10,000 Navy soldiers died, including her fiancee, Lukas.

Upon arriving back to the US, Brooks was visited by CEO of Atlas Corporation, Jonathan Irons, who gave his condolences and offered her a position at Atlas. Brooks, having been honorably discharged due to injuries to the head that can affect her focus and succession in the military, and having nothing left, agrees and joins Atlas.

She would be taken to Camp David, an Atlas basic training facility in Virginia, shortly after attending all the funerals of her comrades and Lukas. She impressed everyone with her marksmanship skills and high intellect, and was given an opportunity to go to college by Irons. She accepted and got a doctorate degree in psychology, finishing top of her class once again and managing to get done with college in five years, all while continuing to fight as an elite soldier for Atlas.

Brooks is in charge of Gideon and his new squad of soldiers containing a new member, Jack Mitchell. They would go on missions in hope of bringing the world back from the brink of collapse, only to discover after the death of terrorist Hades, that Irons is planning world domination.

Brooks defects from Atlas with the others and vows to get revenge for every fallen soldiers that repelled against Atlas.

[casliveblog]

Custom Toonami Block Week 134 Rundown

Spy X Family: Anya and Loid move Yor into the house and don’t notice anything weird about how she has a Dragon Maid level of speed and power in everything she does. It’s kinda funny how Anya is very much portrayed as of her age and isn’t more mature because of her powers but she still had enough mind about her to not accidentally blurt out anyone else’s secrets despite blurting similar things. Anyway the practice interview goes terrible so Loid tries to take them out to do rich people shit so they can say rich people things during the interview but between Anya being a five year old and having an anxiety attack whenever they’re around more than four people and Yor orgasming over anything sharper than a butter knife it’s kind of a rough day. Also they talk about backdating their marriage certificate but like Yor has friends at the tailor’s that know she definitely wasn’t married last week so it feels like this story would fall apart real easily if anyone went digging at all but I guess Yor being as socially awkward as she is at least minimalizes that chance. Anyway after some adorable shenanigans the group use their respective abilities to catch a purse snatcher while not letting the others know of their roles and Loid has an existential crisis about actually getting thanked for helping someone. The day’s experiences help them do marginally better on the interview questions despite Anya still saying she’s gonna murder people so yeah I guess we’re ready.

Inuyasha: So you remember that bit where Inuyasha’s training with the Tessaiga and Totosai gets him to do a lot of chores convincing him it’s training? That’s basically this plot stretched out into an entire episode. Apparently Kagura’s been running around killing monks so the Baby can try and peek at the spiritual border between worlds to get the last jewel shard and Mushin, Miroku’s stepdad thinks he’ll be next and so gets the group to do all his chores and shit thinking he’ll die while the rest of them think he’s deathly ill. It’s a complete waste of time but does kinda lead to some of the best comedy moments of the series with everyone using their powers to do housework and the scene of everyone getting drunk and doing Three Kagome Karaoke and Drunk Sango flirting with Inuyasha always kill me, plus in the end Miroku does seem genuinely happy to spend more time with his father figure reflecting on his own mortality so while it’s ridiculously pointless it’s about as fun as a ridiculously pointless episode can be.

Yu Yu Hakusho: The group re-assess their strategy and get ready to invade Sensui’s place and it’s kinda funny cause they go in with the main three with Seaman as a temporary replacement Kuwabara and they just get kicked back out cause Gamemaster’s like ‘nah bro bring seven’ so they have to go out like twenty minutes later and bring everyone but Botan back in and like there’s absolutely no narrative reason for this to happen it’s just kind of hilariously pedantic. But yeah apparently it’s an RPG-themed game that is oddly anachronistic and just throws a bunch of different game genres in there and it’s the game Yusuke was playing while Kuwabara was out being attacked by Seaman, feel like that would’ve been a neat time for the anime to show a bit more of the game to make the easter egg hit harder but idk. Turns out Yusuke’s a big fan but he kinda sucks and never beat it while Kuwabara, the other nerd guy and Genkai of all people have beaten it a few times. So they rig up their team and first to four wins is the winner and Seaman gets to do his Junior Darby brother fight in Tennis World while Gamemaster chides him for being a little traitor bitch but Seaman’s pretty cool here and manages to pull of a win and is like ‘man I can’t destroy the world because I’m unhappy I have to work on me’ which is pretty chill, really liked that.

Jujutsu Kaisen: It’s time for Nobara’s introduction episode and she’s… kinda hard to get a read on, like she’s an arrogant brat and ridiculously petty but also elegant and confident and seems to kinda switch on a dime so I guess she makes a good intermediary for Yuji and Megumi since she could be on the same page as either of them at any time though she seems closer to Yuji’s goofiness mostly. Gojo throws Yuji and Nobara into the generic ‘random test mook enemy for character development’ house like we got in last week’s Chainsaw Man and we get Nobara’s backstory and are also introduced to the idea that curse beasts like to fuck with humans and just do fucked up shit to force them into sadistic situations. Nobara controls nails and voodoo dolls and fucks up the mooks with an assist from Yuji while reflecting on her reasons for being there. Turns out she grew up in a small town and was sickened by the prejudice the countryfolk showed her big city friend and wanted to literally move away from that small-mindedness and do fun city shit in the process so it’s like a combination of Rika Furude’s Higurahi Gou motivation and Ochako’s initial motivation like half material half symbolic and it looks like a pretty neat dynamic amongst the three of them. Also there’s a glimpse at next week’s enemy where apparently it kills one of the three first years but given that all these guys are still in the opening and I’ve never heard of a Mami Tomoe-style twist for this series I’m thinking there’s probably more to it than that.

Chainsaw Man: Picking up right after we left off with Power drenching a quarter of the city in Devil blood her and Denji are really going at it and only calmed by mutual simping for Makima. They are literally fighting like cats and dogs since Denji has a dog heart and Power likes cats but when Power says he can get to second base for saving her cat he IMMEDIATELY is like ‘fuck man I love cats fuck all my homies that hate cats’ and the next day he signs Power out of the Devil Nursing Home or whatever and they go to find her cat. Turns out it’s a setup and Power made a deal with the Bat Devil who actually is holding her pet cat hostage since she pulled a Misty’s Bike with the cat and claimed she was fattening it up while murdering things a lot bigger and meatier than it to feed it. Power apparently doesn’t understand metaphor and doesn’t get Denji’s part Devil so when the Bat Devil squeezes him like a Capri-Sun to vampire his way back to health he nearly gets sick because yeah Denji just looks like he doesn’t taste good. I’m just kinda confused about the timeline here like Power went from a naked wilderness girl with a cat to… getting clothes, being admitted into Makima’s devil program, being marginally introduced to human culture and society just to get the Bat Devil one human? Like she couldn’t just bonk someone on the head and drag them there? Like I get Makima prolly found her pretty quick and being signed out by Denji is probably the first time she’s not being watched like a hawk since she was found but still that means the Bat Devil just sat and waited for however long all that shit took and actually kept her cat alive for it all when he had no way of knowing how long this would take? Anyway the Bat Devil eats the cat and Power and Denji is kinda running half and half on motivation to save Power because he genuinely empathizes with her and half because boobs, like I feel like Denji kind of has a problem identifying his emotions and just assumes he’s doing things for the most selfish reasons like I don’t want to assign overly noble goals to him because it’s clear he’s a subversion of your normal shonen goodboy but he feels like he’s lying to himself at least a little. Like during the fight with the Bat Devil he claims not to be trying to protect people but also tells every civilian he meets to run away so he’s not ambivalent he just seems to either be lying or at least not willing to let protecting people get in the way of winning and/or boobs. We’re still in that process of excavating Denji’s standards so he may also just not be able to process anything other than his current goal like he’s a video game character with one sidequest slot and it’s currently boobs. Anyway he disembowels the Bat Devil so Power’s prolly fine though who knows for the cat we’ll see, I know from the scene that became a meme a while ago that he does end up feeling her up so it prolly turns out alright.

Ranking of Kings: We started out with Hilling taking a lot of energy to heal Bojji after Daida fucked him up real bad last episode which shows Daida’s whole ‘Bojji will never hold a sword again’ thing was really premature. And after that we just skip to the old king dying like that happened really fast jesus fuck I thought we’d have some more waffling but nope going right for the throat I guess and it leaves the kingdom in the awkward position of deciding which of these twelve year olds is best to oversee their whole kingdom. Though given one of them is deaf, mute and hits like a wet noodle, the peeps kinda have a prejudice towards their other generic teenager. See when the king died and a demon popped out of him and pointed to the kid that’s supposed to be the next king and laughed that was the perfect excuse to go ‘uhhh well maybe we don’t go with him’ so Daida gets to be king and wastes absolutely no time getting down to evil shit and demanding the two guys that voted for Bojji to be king be murdered because he’s a teenager and will do whatever enchanted mirrors tell him to. You see this is why in real life we had King Regents do the king shit until baby kings were old enough to have their balls drop. Meanwhile Kage’s taken away and having an assumed assassin say he’s going to ‘help’ the guy that just got jipped out of being king prolly isn’t a good look so snake assassin dude sends him off on a journey to… do some random shit idk. Bojji even asks the assassin dude’s best friend the two headed hydra snake and hydra snake’s like ‘bro you’re adorable and I love you but I can’t help other than saying he’s gone on a quest and lots of peeps like you’. So with all this on his mind Bojji decides he wants to go on a journey too in order to prove he can do shit without causing embarrassment on a national scale. Hilling is having none of this and forbids it until they both remember what it was like when it was just her and Bojji and even though she’s a stepmom she does love him like a son in her own way and even helped heal the baby hydra snake when it was a baby and it’s really sweet. So Bojji gets to go to visit Hilling’s parents on what’s a glorified red riding hood quest with his sword tutor and the one guy in the whole kingdom that wanted to go and knows sign language so epic quest ahoy!

Vinland Saga: So Floki and Askeladd’s negotiations to kill Thors kinda fall through and Askeladd’s men kill Floki’s hidden assassin so he’s kinda stuck paying double. Askeladd brings up a lot of the questions I had last episode and hypothesizes that Floki wants to kill Thors for personal reasons but wants someone else to do it both so he can keep his hands clean and in case Thors fucks up his entire crew. The day to go to war finally comes and everyone wants Ylva which is understandable because she’s hot as fuck but Leif lets all the homegirls know they’ll be ditching off all the warhungry young boys with Leif’s ship when they get to Norway so Thors is going to war alone so the young men can live. So they set out and turns out Thorfinn is pulling his best Monkey D. Luffy impression and pops out of a barrel which I imagine is gonna be hell on his mom and sister who just have no idea where he is for however long this backstory-generating death journey takes. Thors tells the dude that has the hots for his daughter that having children is what made him not want to fight anymore or at least it was the start of a longer change of character since he was still generic muscle man at that point. The group gets to the Viking equivalent of a truck stop and immediately get ambushed by Askeladd’s group dumping enough wreckage on them to create a miniature dam which feels like it shouldn’t work that smoothly but I’m not a marine physicist. Thors is ready to pacifist run through everyone and punches them without killing but Askeladd obviously has some weird power people on his crew and like a dozen archers above them so this is gonna be trouble.

[zeuse-in-atlantis]

Army Hierarchy

This is the hierarchy I created, then adjusted with the help of SugarSwan, so credits and eternal thanks to them for expanding this nonsensical lore with me :)

Trierarch The army’s commander chosen among the Marina Generals by Poseidon’s cosmos. Unlike the Great Pope, who gives up his Gold Saint rank, the trierarch keeps his role as General. 

Poseidon and the trierarch are the only ones that can enter (and allow others to enter) the main shrine (the room where the Scales are). If someone tries to without any of them inside, “they’ll die crushed by the strength of the sea.” In other words, they’ll die drowned. 

Marina Generals

The Seven Marina Generals are exclusively in charge of guarding their pillars. They avoid moving from their post even if intruders arrive unless the trierarch indicates it. 

In times of peace, they are expected to help the people living in the zone surrounding their pillar. 

Mermaids

Every General teams up with a Mermaid that protects the pillar zone they’re assigned to. Unlike the Generals, they can freely move to another area if they detect any danger. They’re Poseidon’s personal escort. 

One condition to claim a Mermaid Scale is to be merpeople. Since they’re the only ones able to get out and enter Atlantis at will, they’re also in charge of recruiting soldiers –sometimes against people’s will– and keeping an eye on the enemies. 

The Seven Mermaid Scales differ only in color. As a tradition, when they receive their Scale, they can abandon their names and choose a new one, generally taken from a nymph or marine deity. 

Mermaid Scales: 

Blue | Green | Pink | Red |  Purple | Yellow | Orange

Cetus

The Seven Cetus oversee guarding the permanent vortices (reduced now to three). Like the Generals, they cannot abandon their posts since it’s on them to ensure no intruders invade. 

Mermaids and Cetus are at the level of a Silver Saint, and just like in Sanctuary, there are cases where some of them have surpassed or got close to the Marina Generals’ skills. 

Cetus Scales: 

Triton | Orion | Procrustes | Charybdis | Bellerophon | Rhodus | Polyphemus | 

* All Poseidon’s sons and daughters 

Prōreus

Their rank is immediately below the trierarch’s and is assigned by them. The Proreus leads the Mermaids, and it’s chosen among them. 

They look for warriors on the surface that belong to Atlantis (which means they have to be an Atlantean descendant or hear the calling of the sea), so they’re basically in charge of coordinating the “kidnapping”. 

Kybernētēs

Their rank is immediately below the trierarch’s, and it’s assigned by them. The Kybernētēs leads the Cetus, and it’s chosen among them. 

After Atlantis’ sinking, the vortices were reduced to three vortices. Since then, there have been two Cetus per vortex, allowing the Kybernētēs to move around Atlantis. 

Thanks to their freedom of movement, Prōreus and Kybernētēs are the right and left hands of the trierarch. Although the final decision is always on the commander, both can advise and influence the decision-making. 

If something happens to the trierarch, they’ll lead Atlantis while Poseidon designates a new commander.

Keleustēs

Each General has an assigned Keleustes in charge of their brigade. Since Generals can’t abandon their posts during war, Keleustes keeps order within the army. 

They’re also usually in charge of training new marinas and taking the “menial” jobs (training, scouting, record keeping, and small missions that are too important for an Eretai but too small for a General). 

Keleustes are at the level of a Bronze Saint.

Eretai

Foot soldiers. They are divided into seven brigades and serve the Generals, although the Keleustes usually give them the orders. 

–

* A trierarch was the commander of a trireme (warship) in Ancient Greece. They financed the ship and the crew, but a source affirms they were also responsible for the tactical side. 

The prōreus looked out the bow, while the kybernētēs (helmsman) used to be an experienced seaman and was often the commander. The keleustēs was the boatswain. The eretai were the rowers. 

* * *

Well, this is it, all parts of my most important details for my Marinas’ headcanons are complete. Hope you’ve enjoyed them! 

[merchant-navy-dehradun]

An In-Depth Guide to the GP Rating Course in Dehradun

Introduction

The GP Rating course in Dehradun is a specialized training program designed to prepare individuals for entry-level roles in the maritime industry. The course covers a wide range of subjects, including navigation, seamanship, safety procedures, basic engineering, and communication skills. This comprehensive training ensures that graduates are well-equipped to handle the diverse tasks required on ships, both on the deck and in the engine room.

What is GP Rating?

The GP Rating course in Dehradun provides foundational training for aspiring maritime professionals. It aims to equip trainees with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively as deck and engine room ratings. The course is ideal for those looking to start a career in the maritime industry without prior experience.

Course Structure

The GP Rating course in Dehradun typically lasts for six months and includes both theoretical and practical training. The curriculum is designed to provide a balanced mix of classroom instruction and hands-on experience.

Navigation and Seamanship

Trainees learn the basics of ship navigation, understanding nautical charts, and essential seamanship skills. This part of the course includes training in steering, anchoring, and other critical deck operations.

Safety Procedures

A significant portion of the GP Rating course in Dehradun is dedicated to safety training. This includes emergency response procedures, firefighting, and life-saving techniques. The goal is to ensure that trainees can handle emergencies effectively and maintain a safe working environment on board.

Basic Engineering

Trainees are introduced to the fundamentals of engine room operations and maintenance. This includes understanding the various machinery and equipment used on ships and learning basic maintenance tasks.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial in the maritime industry. The GP Rating course in Dehradun includes training in basic communication protocols and skills, ensuring that trainees can communicate effectively with their colleagues and superiors.

Eligibility Criteria

To enroll in the GP Rating course in Dehradun, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Must have completed 10th and 12th grades from a recognized board.

Must have an average of 40% in Science, Maths, and English, with at least 40% in English.

Age should be between 17.5 to 25 years.

Candidates with a diploma or degree recognized by any State or Central Government or the AICTE are also eligible.

A maximum age limit relaxation of 5 years is available for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the GP Rating course in Dehradun, participants receive a certificate. This certification is a prerequisite for obtaining employment in entry-level maritime positions. The certificate is generally recognized internationally, allowing graduates to pursue maritime careers worldwide.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the GP Rating course in Dehradun can explore various career opportunities in the maritime industry. Some common entry-level positions include:

Ordinary Seaman (OS)

Ordinary Seamen assist with deck operations, maintenance, and other tasks under the supervision of higher-ranking crew members. The typical salary for an OS is approximately 1000 USD per month.

Able Seaman (AB)

With additional training and sea experience, graduates can advance to the position of Able Seaman. ABs have more responsibilities related to navigation, safety, and deck operations. The typical salary for an AB is approximately 1500 USD per month.

Engine Ratings

Engine room ratings assist with maintenance tasks and learn about the operation of ship engines. The typical salary for engine ratings is approximately 1500 USD per month.

Specialized Ratings

With further certifications and experience, individuals can specialize in areas such as tanker operations or offshore work. Specialized ratings, such as Bosuns, earn approximately 2000 USD per month.

Career Progression

The GP Rating course in Dehradun serves as a foundation for further career advancement. Graduates can pursue higher certifications, such as Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW) or Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW), leading to more responsible roles. Eventually, GP rating candidates can become navigating officers by completing the required Certificate of Competency (CoC) exams.

Maritime Industry Support Roles

Apart from working on ships, graduates of the GP Rating course in Dehradun may find opportunities in shore-based roles within the maritime industry. These roles include port operations, logistics, and maritime administration.

Choosing the Right Institute

When selecting an institute for the GP Rating course in Dehradun, consider the following factors:

Accreditation

Ensure that the institute is approved by the Directorate General of Shipping or other relevant maritime authorities. Accreditation ensures that the training meets established standards.

Facilities and Resources

Look for institutes with well-equipped classrooms, simulation labs, and practical training areas. Updated resources contribute to a comprehensive learning experience.

Faculty

Investigate the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Experienced instructors with a maritime background enhance the quality of education.

Placement Records

Research the institute's placement records. A good institute should have a track record of placing graduates in reputable maritime companies.

Reviews and Recommendations

Seek reviews from current or former students and industry professionals. Recommendations from those with firsthand experience can provide valuable insights.

Global Recognition

If you plan to work internationally, choose a college with global recognition. This ensures that your certification is widely accepted in the maritime industry worldwide.

Notable Institutes Offering GP Rating Course in Dehradun

Several reputable institutes offer the GP Rating course in Dehradun. Some of the best colleges include:

NUSI, Goa

T.S. Rahaman, Mumbai

B.P. Marine, Mumbai

Commander Ali’s Academy for Merchant Navy, Secunderabad

Conclusion

The GP Rating course in Dehradun is an excellent starting point for a rewarding career in the maritime industry. With comprehensive training in navigation, safety, engineering, and communication, graduates are well-prepared to handle the diverse tasks required on ships. The course opens up various career opportunities, from entry-level positions to specialized roles and further career advancement.

By choosing a reputable institute and meeting the eligibility criteria, aspiring maritime professionals can embark on a fulfilling career path in the global maritime sector. Whether working on ships or in shore-based roles, graduates of the GP Rating course in Dehradun can look forward to a dynamic and exciting career in the maritime industry.

Understanding the GME Course in Merchant Navy: A Comprehensive Guide

The GME Course in Merchant Navy is a pivotal step for aspiring marine engineers who wish to carve out a dynamic career at sea. Offered by esteemed maritime institutions like the Indian Maritime University (IMU) and its affiliates, this course equips students with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to operate and maintain shipboard machinery. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into every aspect of the GME Course in Merchant Navy, shedding light on its structure, curriculum, eligibility criteria, and career prospects.

1. Introduction to the GME Course in Merchant Navy

The GME Course in Merchant Navy (Graduate Marine Engineering) is a one-year pre-sea training program designed for engineering graduates. This course transforms mechanical engineering graduates into competent marine engineers, capable of handling the challenges of maritime operations. The curriculum is meticulously crafted to encompass both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for life at sea.

2. Eligibility Criteria for the GME Course in Merchant Navy

To enroll in the GME Course in Merchant Navy, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria:

Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Naval Architecture from a recognized university.

Age Limit: Candidates should be below 28 years of age at the time of commencement of the course.

Medical Fitness: Aspiring candidates must meet the medical standards set by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Government of India. This includes good eyesight, hearing, and overall physical fitness.

3. Structure and Curriculum of the GME Course in Merchant Navy

The GME Course in Merchant Navy is divided into two main components:

Classroom Training: This segment covers theoretical subjects such as Marine Engineering, Ship Construction, Marine Electrical and Electronics, Naval Architecture, and Maritime Laws. The classroom training is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in marine engineering principles.

Practical Training: Practical sessions are conducted in workshops and simulators to give students hands-on experience. This includes training on marine engines, auxiliary machinery, and electrical systems. Additionally, students undergo shipboard training to familiarize themselves with real-life maritime operations.

4. Benefits of Pursuing the GME Course in Merchant Navy

There are several advantages to undertaking the GME Course in Merchant Navy:

Lucrative Career Opportunities: Marine engineers are in high demand globally. Graduates of the GME Course in Merchant Navy can secure well-paying jobs on various types of ships, including cargo ships, tankers, and cruise liners.

Travel the World: A career in the merchant navy allows individuals to travel extensively, visiting different countries and experiencing diverse cultures.

Professional Growth: The maritime industry offers excellent prospects for career advancement. With experience and additional certifications, marine engineers can climb the ranks and assume senior positions.

Job Security: The global shipping industry is crucial for international trade, ensuring steady demand for skilled marine engineers.

5. Admission Process for the GME Course in Merchant Navy

The admission process for the GME Course in Merchant Navy typically involves the following steps:

Application: Candidates need to apply to recognized maritime institutions offering the GME course. The application process usually involves submitting educational certificates, age proof, and medical fitness certificates.

Entrance Exam: Some institutes conduct entrance exams to assess the candidate's knowledge and aptitude for marine engineering.

Interview: Shortlisted candidates may be called for an interview to evaluate their suitability for the course.

Medical Examination: A comprehensive medical examination is conducted to ensure that the candidate meets the health standards required for a career at sea.

6. Top Institutes Offering the GME Course in Merchant Navy

Several prestigious institutes in India offer the GME Course in Merchant Navy. These include:

Indian Maritime University (IMU): IMU is a premier maritime university offering a wide range of marine courses, including the GME course. The university has campuses in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, and Cochin.

Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI): Located in Pune, TMI is known for its excellent infrastructure and experienced faculty.

Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS): SIMS, located in Lonavala, Maharashtra, offers state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive training programs.

The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies: Situated in Lonavala, this institute provides top-notch maritime education and training.

7. Career Prospects After Completing the GME Course in Merchant Navy

Upon completing the GME Course in Merchant Navy, graduates can pursue various career paths, including:

Marine Engineer Officer: Graduates start their careers as Junior Engineers on ships. With experience, they can rise to the rank of Chief Engineer, responsible for the entire engineering department on board.

Shore-Based Opportunities: Marine engineers can also explore shore-based roles such as Technical Superintendents, Surveyors, and Marine Consultants.

Further Studies and Certifications: Graduates can enhance their qualifications by pursuing higher studies or obtaining additional certifications like the Class IV and Class II Engineer’s Certificate of Competency.

8. Challenges and Rewards of a Career in the Merchant Navy

While the GME Course in Merchant Navy opens doors to exciting opportunities, it also comes with its challenges:

Extended Time Away from Home: Marine engineers often spend several months at sea, which can be challenging for family life.

Physically Demanding: The job requires physical fitness and stamina to handle the demanding work environment on board.

Continuous Learning: The maritime industry is constantly evolving, requiring marine engineers to stay updated with the latest technologies and regulations.

However, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. A career in the merchant navy offers:

Attractive Remuneration: Marine engineers earn competitive salaries and enjoy additional benefits such as free travel, accommodation, and food while on board.

Adventure and Travel: The opportunity to explore different parts of the world and experience life at sea is a unique and rewarding aspect of this career.

Professional Growth: The maritime industry offers a clear career progression path, with opportunities for further education and specialization.

9. Conclusion

The GME Course in Merchant Navy is a gateway to a fulfilling and adventurous career in the maritime industry. It provides the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive as a marine engineer, offering a blend of theoretical learning and practical training. With numerous career opportunities and the chance to travel the world, the GME Course in Merchant Navy is an excellent choice for engineering graduates seeking a dynamic and rewarding profession.

For more information on the GME Course in Merchant Navy, visit IMU CET Dehradun. This resource offers detailed insights into the course structure, eligibility criteria, admission process, and much more.

[afaithfulsower]

The Greatest Commission!

As born-again followers of Jesus Christ, we are all commissioned to spread the good news of salvation. Are you answering the call? Click/Tap the link to read more. #afaithfulsower #jesus #christianity #gospel #dailydevotion

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15/NIV When I enlisted in the U.S. Navy, I joined this branch of service at the most junior pay grade possible. As a seaman recruit, I entered basic training and underwent a humbling but growth-oriented process, resulting in my becoming a sailor—a proud accomplishment! Early in my Navy career, I was allowed…

[thxnews]

Medal of Honor for Pearl Harbor Navy Seaman

Navy Seaman 1st Class James Richard Ward only had moments to decide what to do on the sinking USS Oklahoma during the bombing of Pearl Harbor: save himself, or do what he could to save others? Ward chose the valiant option, giving his life so his fellow sailors could escape. He earned a posthumous Medal of Honor for his gallantry, and just recently, his remains were finally accounted for and buried. Ward was born Sept. 10, 1921, in Springfield, Ohio, to parents Howard and Nancy Ward. He had a sister named Marjorie. According a 2014 Dayton Daily News article, as a teen, Ward, who went by the nickname Dick, did odd jobs for his neighbors to earn some cash. He played football and the trumpet, but his real love was baseball. After graduating high school in 1939, the article said Ward took a factory job before landing a minor league baseball contract with the Shelby Colonels out of North Carolina. However, the gig only lasted a month before he was replaced. Ward then worked at a steel mill for a time before enlisting in the Navy on Nov. 25, 1940. After basic training, Ward was sent to serve on board the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. Since baseball was a huge pastime for service members, he was able to join the ship's team. Ward helped them win the Pacific Fleet championship, and he was even named the top batter.   Spotlight: Commemorating World War II Unfortunately, Ward would not live to see beyond the opening moments of the United States' entry into World War II.  

Pearl Harbor, December 1941, USS Oklahoma. Photo by Ping News. Flickr.  

A Pivotal Decision

In the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Oahu, surprising installations all over the island. The Pacific Fleet's ships that were moored at Pearl Harbor's Ford Island took the brunt of the assault, including the Oklahoma. In the first few minutes of the attack, the ship was hit by as many as nine aerial torpedoes, which ripped open more than 250 feet of hull on the ship's port side. The massive amount of damage caused the Oklahoma to roll over and sink in less than 20 minutes. Ward was in one of the ship's turrets, which lost electricity immediately, leaving him and his fellow sailors in darkness. According to the Dayton Daily News, Ward was the only one in that turret with a flashlight. When the order was given to abandon ship, Ward stayed in his turret, using the flashlight to allow the remainder of the crew to see to escape. While many of them made it out of the turret, Ward did not. At 20 years old, he sacrificed his own life for the lives of his fellow sailors. All told, the Oklahoma lost 429 men that day. Thirty-two men who had been trapped inside its upturned hull were rescued days later. In the aftermath of the attacks, it took a while for official death notices to go out. According to the Dayton Daily News, Ward's parents didn't learn of his official death until Feb. 20, 1942. Despite the chaos of that fateful day, Ward's valor didn't go unnoticed. He was quickly nominated for the Medal of Honor, which was mailed to his parents in Springfield in March 1942, along with a letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Navy Secretary Frank Knox.  

US Medal of Honour. Photo by the US Ministry of Defence.  

A Long Journey Home

In 1943, the capsized Oklahoma was rolled upright and raised in one of the salvage profession's greatest undertakings, naval historians said. Throughout the war, Navy personnel worked to recover the remains of the men who died inside the ship and bury them in temporary Hawaiian cemeteries. After the war, the American Graves Registration Service was created to carry out a new mission -- to identify and recover our fallen service members from around the globe. AGRS members disinterred the remains of the men from the Oklahoma and transferred them to an Army laboratory, which confirmed the identities of 35 men at that time. The rest of the remains were buried in plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. By 1949, a military board classified those who hadn't been identified as "nonrecoverable," including Ward.  

  Nearly a lifetime went by before that changed.

In 2015, investigators – now with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency – exhumed the comingled remains of the buried unknown men from the Oklahoma to run tests using dental, anthropological, and mitochondrial DNA analysis in the hope of finally identifying them. The agency compared those findings to DNA samples that had been provided years earlier by the 394 families of those who were never identified from the Oklahoma. On Aug. 19, 2021, the DPAA announced it had finally accounted for Ward's remains. He was buried last week in Arlington National Cemetery – a decision that was made by Richard Ward Hanna, his nephew and namesake. Hanna, who lives in Gainesville, Florida, said his family didn't talk about Ward much while he grew up, but he knows how incredibly respected the fallen sailor is in his hometown of Springfield. "It'll be very emotional," Hanna said in early December. "I've been asked a lot, ‘Does this really give you a sense of closure?' And for me personally, I wouldn't so much say it's closure. I think what's meaningful is he'll finally have a resting place that's permanent that people will know about. And being a Medal of Honor recipient is an incredible thing." After the war, Ward's name was recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with many others who were missing during World War II. A rosette will now be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Even when Ward was missing for all those years, he was not forgotten. The Edsall-class destroyer escort USS J. Richard Ward, which was commissioned in 1943 and was used throughout World War II, was named in his honor. Camp Ward at Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho was also named for him, and in 1953, a Pearl Harbor baseball field was christened Ward Field. There's an "in memory" marker for Ward at Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio, as well as an American Legion there that bears his name.   Sources: THX News & US Department of Defence. Read the full article

[edmunds-voyage]

Ship & Shore life in Lunenburg (25 April ‘23)

Been back in the ‘burg for about 3 weeks now, and the town is re-awakening from winter. A few other people from the ship were flying in to Halifax the same day, so 4 of us split a $170 cab to Lunenburg. There’s a bus that runs a few days a week that I was planning on taking, but I’m grateful to not have to trudge into the city and wait for hours with all of my shit! It was a bit surreal being back at first, re-meeting people I’d known for 6 weeks and hadn’t seen fire 5 months. I “moved in” to the rental house where people had been living over the winter. 4 people per bedroom leaves not much space, so I shoved a mattress inside crawl space and made my own private room! About a week ago the ship returned to the Lunenburg harbor after a long 5 months stuck up on dry dock. We made the trip down to watch the launch and that was neat. The professional crew made the transit from Shelburne on what turned out to be probably the nicest day of the year so far, and without any incident. It was really exciting to see the ship coming in, and made things feel real again. The trainees that scattered away in November trickled in daily. Very quickly, the real work began (again)…and we were back to square one of preparing the ship to depart on what will now be a 14 month circumnavigation.

What does this mean? A LOT! Chipping rust, wire brushing, treating with rust converter, painting on primer, priming again, priming again, painting topcoat, and likely another coat of topcoat. Lots of this process, over and over again. Other major projects involve completely emptying the hold of years and years of accumulated things. All hands in fire lines unloaded item-by-item onto the dock. This took around 6 hours with something like 20 people. Small stuff, huge stuff, light stuff, really fucking heavy stuff. After sorting and trashing of junk, it goes back in. Hopefully in a more organized fashion.

My watch (I’ll expand on this below) then moved all sail related items into a 3rd floor loft ashore. There’s a small ladder leading to a hatch into the 3rd floor, where all things must be pushed/pulled/squeezed/shoved through. I did not realize how heavy sail canvas is. Given the small birth canal, larger sails must be tied into sausage shapes to fit through. While awkward and heavy, 4 of us moved many-a-sail successfully. In the not too distant future, everything we labored to get up there will come back down and back into the ship. This happens a lot, but how else does one organize a self contained world onto a relatively small floating hunk of metal?

How is this all organized? What does a “typical” day look like?

Similar to how we will operate at sea, we are divided up into watch groups, under the leadership of a professional lead seamen (or AB; able body seaman credentialed). The AB’s are all incredibly knowledgeable in seemingly everything, tireless, and really REALLY patient. And also young! Most of us have no idea what we’re doing, so they have to teach and guide us…and be nice to us regardless of how bad we (or just me) are. There is constant on the job training, and learning by doing. Basically a few minutes of “here’s how”, then a few hours of just DOING it and figuring out how to do it “right”…or good enough. There’s a lot of legit important shit we’re trusted to get done, so it can be stressful!

Currently, each watch is on duty cycling every 4 days. This is different from watches at sea (4 on, 8 off). Duty days entail being on or near the ship 8am-8am the next day, no going anywhere. Ship checks are done at noon, 8pm, 11pm, and 8am. Checking all the dock lines, all areas on the ship for water/fire/any wierdness, etc. Meal cleanups (lots of dishes), food shopping, “domestics” (cleaning the living quarters and bathrooms that 40 people use), bailing of small boats, are also done by the duty watch. This is in addition to all the other work happening during the day.

There really is no “typical” day as far as work goes. We all eat breakfast at 7:30, then muster at 8am. Sometimes we get a briefing from the captain, sometimes not. The ship bosun (the one in charge of pretty much all of the maintenance of the ship.) then hands out working orders to each watch. I’m amazed by how much the bosun keeps track of, and how he stays calm and funny when being bothered by people CONSTANTLY. The work could be anything from huge multi-day projects, to moving some random things around. Any one project may be started by one group, and be touched by every person before it’s finished. Or, one group will be tasked with a project from start to finish.. Last week my group completely gutted the galley. We cleaned every single item of cookware, and disassembled/cleaned/reassembled the huge oven/stove. Every surface inside was cleaned before painting and varnishing, then all the good cookware was brought back. It’s satisfying seeing a project from beginning to end. It’s also nice to not get stuck on a HUGE painting project, which sometimes happens.

There’s occasionally an all-hands project, like the unloading of everything in the ship’s hold. Or, when we took in a 1500lb anchor on nearly 400ft of HUGE chain that had been sitting on the bottom of the harbor for 3 years. A hand operated windlass, with 4 or maybe 5 people on each side of a large lever (8-10 total people) pulls up a few links at a time. This is absolutely exhausting, so there’s extra hands to cycle through. The bottom of the harbor has a thick layer of black stinky muck, which comes up with the chain. As it comes on deck, we scrub off the muck and weird sea creatures and blast it with a high pressure hose. In very little time we all get soaked and covered in the stinky black muck. Since dragging the chain in across the harbor floor had failed before, we pulled it up from above. The ship stayed tethered to the dock while we pulled into the harbor. A team on shore and on the deck tended the lines to make sure we stayed attached, though mobile enough to reach the end of the chain. Without out mechanical advantage, we hauled on the dock lines and pulled the 600 ton ship back to the dock. A pretty productive morning!

We get a 15 minute coffee break at 10am, break for a 30 minute lunch at noon, 3pm coffee break, and try to wrap up by 5:30pm. Work, work, work, work, work all times in between. The supper bell rings at 6 and we all shove massive amounts of food down our gullets in like 7 minutes. We have a great cook that we’re all absolutely grateful for! Unless we’re on watch we’re free! Saturdays typically end early, and Sundays we’re off all the live long day.

We work in the cold, eat in the cold, and sleep in the cold. The temperate drops to the 30s every night still, and there’s no heat on the ship. It’s hard and often filthy work. But it’s all pretty dang satisfying and I’m learning every day. The people are great and pretty soon it’ll all pay off. I sometimes feel like an outsider, or that I haven’t quite found my place yet. Maybe other people feel that way too. I think we’re all a little bit “different” to be doing this, and it’s nice to be around different folk. A big part is that I’m doing my best to not spend money, so I haven’t been going out with people after the workday. It’s expensive here and I haven’t had income in over half a year! Not something I’m used to. I’m cheap as fuck but this has been a lesson in not worrying about money too much…easy to say.

Life will change once we’re at sea. We’ll be split into one of 3 watches: 12-4, 4-8, or 8-12. Both AM and PM with 8 hours off in between to do as we like. The pace will slow and we’ll get into more of a rhythm. Projects and maintenance will continue while at sea, and we’ll have workshops in sailmaking, navigation, seamanship, etc.

There’s still a lot to do—rigging, bending sail, loading provisions, more sails, donated clothes and books for remote islands in the South Pacific, and plenty of other stuffs. We also must get safety training and drills for things like man overboard and firefighting, and climbing in the rigging.

Since we’re so busy and almost everything we do has the high likelihood of making us dirty or hurt, taking pictures is low priority. I’ll make a conscious effort to get some pictures of the ship up soon though!

In two weeks we might be at sea…finally.

[departmentq]

It's similar to the system in the US Navy, referencing decks, levels, frames and the centerline.

Decks and levels:

The main deck, often the longest length deck of the ship is the first deck, the next lower is second deck and so on. Any decks above the main deck is referred to as a level. Level numbers are preceded by a zero, so the first level is referred to as the 01 level.

Frame:

Frames are the structures that lay on the keel, that forms the shape of the ship's hull, numbered from fore to aft.

Relationship to centerline:

Centerline is the imaginary vertical plane the runs through the center of the ship. Compartments are numbered in relation to their distance from the centerline: lower the number, the closer to the centerline. Port side compartments are even numbered, starboard side odd. Zero is on the centerline.

Bullseyes:

Every space/compartment on the ship has a yellow rectangle, which shows it's location:

3: third deck

173: frame 173 is the frame furthest forward in the space.

1: space is starboard side, close to the centerline

L: type of space, in this case a living space, compartment is a room with racks for sleeping.

FR 173-181: the frames that make up the space, from fore to aft.

E DIV: the group responsible for the safety and cleanliness of the space, in this case, the E division of the Engineering department.

This information is essential knowledge for any member of ship's company, from the CO to the newest seaman apprentice. It's part of standard damage control training for all crew on board.

Basic damage control, which includes shipboard fire fighting, begins in basic recruit training.

star_trek_empty_corridors

[electronicwriter]

#Repost @deptvetaffairs • • • • • • John Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina, in September 1926, and lived there until moving with his father and mother to High Point, North Carolina. His father when the young Coltrane was just 12 years old. Coltrane’s music career was slowed by World War II. Hesitant to be drafted into the Army, Coltrane instead enlisted in the Navy in August 1945. He trained at the Sampson Naval Training Station in New York as an apprentice seaman. After basic training, he was stationed at Manana, Oahu, Hawaii, in November 1945. His talents as a musician were noticed and, along with his work in security details, he served in the Navy Band: The Melody Masters. However, in the height of segregation, Coltrane was not allowed to be a part of the all-white band. To avoid supervisor scrutiny, he played alto saxophone and clarinet as a “guest performer.” Throughout his time serving in Hawaii, Coltrane was promoted to seaman first class until military downsizing led him to be honorably discharged early in August 1946. After returning home to Philadelphia, Coltrane thrived in the growing music industry, using resources from the GI Bill to further his music education and connections with Navy friends to tour in bands across Philadelphia. His fame and skills grew, leading him to tour with individuals such as Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Their music, with both rivalries and partnerships mixed throughout their careers, became instrumental in the formation of the jazz industry in the 1950s and 1960s. Faith and spirituality heavily influenced Coltrane’s music and life, as it helped him recover from alcoholism and heroin use, which he had been experimenting with since 1948. Coltrane went on to receive many awards after his death, including a Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo in 1981, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and eight other Grammy Hall of Fame Awards between 1998 and 2012. He also received a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation in 2007 for his musicianship and its influence on jazz history. Coltrane died in July 1967 at the age of 40 from liver cancer, a shock to not only his family but many in the musical community. We honor https://www.instagram.com/p/CnGJVI_pvAW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=