A Glance at Naval History
... systems, and maximize signal path quality and integrity (CT01) . Cryptologic Technicians, one branch of the computer field, work in a secure environment and decode messages in all different languages from around the world (CT01) . In different cities the need for people in the computer field differs, but all around this is the main field that continues to advance along with technology, therefore, more people are needed. As stated by FCC(SW) David Shook, “ Two of the more important technological advances are satellite communications and e-mail; more accurate weapon systems, A.K.A. smart bombs/missiles.” Training school, more simply known as “A” school can take up 1 ½ years to complete before being able to start in this field. II. Electronic Field: The Navy as a profession faces important problems, as can be seen by the current situation, in which servicemen are better educated than ever before, but no matter what the job each member is expected the serve just the same. The Engineering field in the past has come off as a nice way of saying “mechanic.” In the Navy we know today, that cliché is simply untrue. Their duties include: The desalinization of underwater plants to turn sea water into fresh water, maintaining air conditioning systems, and working with small craft. A high overall test score and normal hearing are two of the main requirements are to be eligible for this field. III. Mechanics: The advancement rate for the Mechanic field has dropped over the past few years due to a shortage of enlistees in the field (GSE 1) . Testing circuitry, working with blueprints and schematics, and stopping engines and checking for proper performance are just a few of the everyday duties of an individual in the Mechanic field. A combined score of two-hundred and ten in the four main fields of the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test is required as well to be eligible for the mechanic field. If anyone is interested in working with engines as a career and getting the college you need in the process, this is the field to consider. IV. Engineering Individuals considering the engineering field must take one thing in consideration; you must have normal color perception (EM 1). The engineering field is a broad field that deals with anything from construction to distributing power throughout the ship by way of multi-million dollar equipment. Interpreting blueprints, electrical sketches, distribution of power, and maintaining a safe working environment are just a few of the things done in the everyday life of an engineer. Competitiveness is key, as five-thousand men and women alone work in the Electrician’s Mate rating of the Engineering field (EM 1). Advancement rates are very high in this field, as a young E-1 (Enlisted pay rate one) can advance to E-5 in as quickly as two years (Shook int.). V. Business Individuals in the Business field deal directly with federal documents. These documents deal with financial reports concerning money owed to the U.S. Treasury by Navy personnel, payroll, and military records. A high average in arithmetic reasoning is required to be considered for positions in this field. Advancement rates have been high in the past, but due to shortages have dropped to balance of power (DK 1). Any involvement with larceny or fraud thirty-six months prior to enlistment automatically disqualifies anyone desiring this field. VI. Medical The medical field is very broad, as it branches off into all fields of medicinal study. The program is a five year tour with re-enlistment eligibility at the end of the fourth year. Anyone considering becoming a doctor or a nurse should definitely take a look at this field. Jobs range anywhere from Pediatric Nurse to practicing in Nuclear medicine. Corpsman work in a variety of different working environments especially in the special forces. Currently, 24,500 men and women serve as Corpsman, and 45% of them have furthered their career in exploring one of forty sub-specialties. Advancement rates have been increasing over the years, and this field definitely provides high paced jobs not for the faint at heart. VII. Photo-Journalism Individuals in the Photo-Journalism field serve as the Navy’s professional photographers. They cover news events, ceremonies, accident investigations, and provide the servicemen with great photos in the monthly published All Hands magazine (PH 1). Travel is key to this job, as you visit many different cultures to create lasting images to share with the rest of the world. About nine-hundred men and women serve in this field. Normal color perception ( not color blind), security clearance, and a five year obligation are a must before being considered to become a part of this field. Advancement rates are extremely high in this field as there is a need for upper management (PH 1). VIII. History On 13th October, 1775, two-hundred and thirty years ago, the Continental Navy was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a predecessor of the United States Navy (Navy Encarta 3) . The Continental Navy proved to be too weak against the British Navy, the most powerful at that time, during the American Revolution (Navy Encarta 3 ) . The Continental Navy joined forces with singular state navies called the privateers, and together took out nearly two-hundred British merchant trade ships. This blow to the British caused them to change their warship’s strategy and focus on protecting trade routes and merchant convoys. One more memorable battle occurred in the North Sea in 1779 when Captain John Paul Jones commandeered a withered, half-rotten ship called the Bonhomme Richard (Navy Encarta 3) . He gave the Navy the most memorable battle cry of the Navy’s history ,”I have not yet begun to fight!” as he defeated the greatly respected British frigate Serapis (Navy Encarta 3) . At the end of the Revolution, the Continental Navy was disbanded, and following acts of piracy to U.S. merchant ships, an act of Congress on April 30th, 1798 the United States Navy was formed (Navy Encarta 3) . Since then the United States Navy has proved a force to be reckoned with, and continues to reinforce America with a knight in shinning armor and protect it from all who choose to oppose and threaten it. IX. Significant Servicemen Through the years many men and women have came and went serving their time in the Navy, but in that time a few have far exceeded the rest. One of these men was James Glasgow Farragut, who was born on July 6, 1801 in Knoxville Tennessee. Following in his fathers footsteps, he would soon become a Sailor and do his duties to serve and protect his country. James Farragut led his men in many battles and one of the most memorable was the one on August 5, 1864 at the Mobile Bay, the last standing Confederate stronghold of the Gulf of Mexico (Farragut 1). This bay was protected and surrounded by Fort Morgan and fleet wood vessels as well as the Confederate Ram TENNESSEE (Farragut 1). While many of Farragut’s surrounding ships were going under in defeat, he went forth and said “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” In doing so, him and his men blasted through Fort Morgan and captured the Confederate ironclad TENNESSEE (Farragut 1). Mobile Bay fell into Union hands and is thus recognized as one of the most decisive Naval victories in Civil War history (Farragut 1). The battle at Mobile Bay was in fact his last battle. In 1866, Farragut was the first man in the United States Navy history to be awarded the rank of Admiral (Farragut 1). Admiral Farragut passed away on August 14, 1870, at the age of 69 (Farragut 1). In New York where his funeral took place, over 10,000 soldiers and sailors attended to honor the first man in history to receive such a prestigious and honorable award (Farragut 1). He was headed by Ulysses S. Grant, the President of the United States. There now stands a statue of Admiral Farragut in the heart of our Nation’s Capitol to honor him and his accomplishments, and is known as Farragut Square. It remains a lasting tribute to the most distinguished Naval Officer of the Civil War. United States Admiral Thomas Moorer is another man of greatness. Admiral Moorer was born on February 9, 1912 in Mount Willing, Alabama. In 1933 he graduated from the U.S. Naval academy and completed naval aviation training in 1936. He flew fighter squadron on the Lexington, Langley and the Enterprise carriers (Farragut 1). In 1941 he was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked and participated in the Dutch East Indies where he received a Purple heart after being shot down and wounded in 1942 in Australia. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross after flying supplies and evacuating t...