Do you know if the larger ships still have Marine Detachments assigned?
I think the carriers used to have around 70 leatherheads.
BTW, when little ol’ peon me got guard duty or Duty NCO in “the field” back then we had 5 rounds of rifle ammo or five rounds of 45 for the pistol. And we were sure were not allowed to chamber—— ahem. Or do it and make damn sure you don’t have an AD.
I do know somebody who had a 22 revolver hidden under his field jacket when pulling guard duty in the middle of the night in wintertime-——but I can’t mention that guy’s name ;)
I really don't know. I got out in late 1980 and the Navy was in the process then of assuming some security such as taking over the brig and making Master At Arms an actual rating for E-5 and above I think. Up till then it was T.A.D. pooled among the divisions. The main reason carriers had MARDET was for the nukes. But conventional are still a significant security risk. I know there are Marine Squadrons.
BTW, when little ol’ peon me got guard duty or Duty NCO in “the field” back then we had 5 rounds of rifle ammo or five rounds of 45 for the pistol. And we were sure were not allowed to chamber—— ahem. Or do it and make damn sure you don’t have an AD.
I do know somebody who had a 22 revolver hidden under his field jacket when pulling guard duty in the middle of the night in wintertime-——but I can’t mention that guy’s name ;)
We couldn't have a firearm on the ship but we had our own defenses LOL. I had a 12" Crescent Hammer in my rack. All Engineering Machinery spaces required a Vital Area Badge for entry. We seldom wore them ourselves but we challenged with Chief Engineer's blessings anyone entering our spaces we knew didn't belong there. Then there was this rumor back in the day of Snipes being armed with rope and cans of graphite grease and hazing aka welcome to the shop LOL. Today such acts is a Court Martial offense. :>{ WIMPS