“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.”
Well, I was never on a sub. However In can tell you as an NCO in the sixties, not only did we not carry live ammunition, I to this day have never fired a 45. I could field strip one, but never fired one. I stood quarterdeck watch as well as shore patrol for three years...
“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.”
“Well, I was never on a sub. However In can tell you as an NCO in the sixties, not only did we not carry live ammunition, I to this day have never fired a 45. I could field strip one, but never fired one. I stood quarterdeck watch as well as shore patrol for three years...”
I totally believe you. It is just interesting the change in posture over the times. Even in the 90’s I heard stories similiar to yours. One sad story is that near the end of my tour on my boat one of the quarterdeck watches committed suicide right there on the pier.