[Jen]

"Sweepers, man your brooms. Sweep down all lower decks, ladders, and passageways. Now, sweepers."

This is probably a stupid question, but that has never stopped me before... but are you talking about Navy people sweeping the floors on a ship, like with real brooms? Or, is there another meaning that is less literal?

[185JHP]

Not a stupid question. It's said when people on a Navy ship do their assigned task, with brooms. Blue-water sailors will remember lying in a bunk somewhere, or playing cards or reading a book, and hearing this announcement. Just for nostalgia. BTW stuff on ships ages, and eventually, it doesn't smell good below decks. The Oriskany, a carrier, was still being used against the Viets, and below decks didn't smell good.