“Hummmm, don’t know about the Navy you were in but on U.S. Submarines in the ‘70s our top side watches, didn’t have a loaded weapon, but certainly did have a live clip on the belt and available for use if necessary.”
I wasn’t in the Navy in the seventies, and apparently you weren’t in the sixties...
I was a submarine officer who recently got out two years ago. I can assure you that the pier watch, quarterdeck watch, below deck watch, etc were definately loaded.