The OIC of the shore patrol and the senior non com had a side arm and most of the time road around in a van supplied by the DAO office. The enlisted didn’t carry sidearms, but maybe they did I can’t remember. Maybe night clubs?. This was in South America/Africa port calls. In “civilized” countries I don’t remember even having a shore patrol.
The enlisted didn’t carry sidearms,
That explains a lot. I retired as a Chief so I was probably MAYBE an E-3 at the time I was beginning shore duty. Thanks for your post.