VANITY: Airmen on Navy ships?

Political debate board ^

[CheezyD]

VANITY: My first vanity post... I'm looking for corroboration that members of the military in branches other than the Navy serve on Navy vessels. I was defending Bush's landing on the Abraham Lincoln on a political debate board and indicated that his doing so lifted the morale of sailors and airmen on the ship. A leftist whacko on the board is now claiming I cannot be a vet (which I am) because a "real veteran" wouldn't claim there would be airmen on an aircraft carrier. Any links would be appreciated. I've also attached the link to the debate forum if anyone here would like to stop by. Can't have too many conservative voices. Seems like the lefties are bringing in their friends from "D..." well, you know where.

[Ronin]

Cheezy....

There are Airmen in the Navy

In the enlisted structure, there are Airmen, Seamen and Firemen. Airman, or more poetically airdales, handle jobs related to aviation, Seamen are the deck ratings and they do most of the jobs that involve running the ship and fighting it -- except for running the engines and other stuff which are done by the Firemen.

Sometimese (very rarely) an Air Force officer will be assigned to a Navy squadron and learn how to handle cat shots and tailhooks, but it is not common.

Of Course, the USMC has historically spent a lot of time on Navy ships, but then, the USMC is part of the Department of the Navy.

During my Navy service I never heard of any Coast Guardsmen or Army pukes assigned to a Navy ship, but it would not surprise me in the least if it had happened. In fact, I am sure it has.

So, bottom line, yes there are LOTS of Airmen in the Navy.

[Flyer]

So. . . is the U.S.S. Cole a ship or a boat?

[Graybeard58]

I spent four years in the Air Force and never did understand Navy terminology, or rank. By no stretch does that make me less a vet.
I did however accquire a great respect for that absolutely vital branch.

[Ronin]

LOL. The feeling is mutual. I did 13 years in Navy Blue and I could never keep track of who was what with all those little stripes you guys wore.

Fortunately the officer ranks all use the same collar devices so you know what to salute, even if you are not exactly sure what it's called.

[SolutionsOnly]

Perhaps that's how is was on your ship, but we used to tweak the salty old boatswin's mates by calling the carrier a 'boat'. it guarateed a 'This is not a boat, it's SHIP!' conniption fit . We could have doubled our fun with 'driving the boat'!

[submarinerswife]

And my husband "drives" subs...sounds crazy but that is what they call it.

[Ed Straker]

Of course there are Airmen in the Navy. It's a rating, just like Hospital Corpsman or Musician's Mate.

Wanna have fun? Ask this person what a DD214 is. He'll probably say it's some kind of airplane.

[Ronin]

Unless you are cute and female.

A couple years back I tried to get my gf in trouble by sending her up to the Capt. of the USS Cushing to tell him "your boat is cute", but he just smiled and thanked her kindly.

Of course, little Chinami is so sweet he would have probably given the ship to her as a present if she had batted her eyes and asked nicely.

[CTOCS]

Touche'

They should have made Clinton tie the bow line to the trailor hitch of his El Camino and tow the thing home personally...

[SolutionsOnly]

You are technically correct, there is the 'Airman' rank. But in colloquial Navy jargon the generic term 'airmen' is never used. It's 'airdales' if don't want to stand out like a sore thumb.

[Flyer]

I wasn't trying to be contrary, but the question reminded me of that image of the Cole. The big ship is actually a dry dock vessel so it may not spoil the rule.

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/news/news_stories/images-cole4.html

[Ronin]

DD 214?

Why, that would be the old USS Tracy, now wouldn't it?

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0521401.jpg

[Ronin]

I mentioned that point.

[SolutionsOnly]

'driving' subs works. It's less confusing once you understand thet there are Three disctinct cultures in the Navy, each with their own jargon: Surface Ships, Aviation, and Submariners.

[Quix]

And, the demands of flying off and particularly landing on carriers are so great, that Air Force pukes would dare not be allowed to do so except in super extreme emergencies and possibly not even then.

Too much damage can be done by relatively minor errors.

[Quix]

Unless it's a sub?

[CTOCS]

And he probably had the most polite, condescending smile on his face when he said it...By the time they reach O4, the Navy sends them off to "How To Tolerate Civilians" school...

Cheers to the GF...Pics, maybe?

[battlegearboat]

Navy Wings = Gold

Air Force Wings = Lead

[Ronin]

I got a perfect one I would love to post, her saluting with a ball cap in front of the USS Independence, but it's not scanned.

Let me work on that.

She's my fiance now, I better mention.