Rank Structure / Drill

[Lake0300]

How important is the memorization of the Navy/Coast Guard, Army, and Air Force rank structure? Its in the guidebook, so I take it that eventually you'll want to know it. But exactly how often is it used? Are you ever tested on it?

Also, when you fall in and you're suppose to distance yourself 40 inches. How do you measure out 40 inches?

-Lake

[HardJedi]

Well, NAVY is KINDA important. That is because as a Marine, you will be dealing with navy personel fairly often. Wouldn't do to call a patty officer first class Chief! Specially if a cheif happens to be near by.

Also all the medical and dental personel are navy, so it helps to know them.

as far as measuring 40 inches? it is usually about an arms length. you stick your arm straight out in front of you, get a basic distance, and then dress right to aling with the squad leader

hope that helps.

[Lake0300]

Yeap. Sure does. I assumed the Navy ranks would be more important then the Air Force & Army ranks. But didnt know HOW important they were, and how quickly I'll need to know them.

-Lake

[cjwright90]

Just be careful not to salute a Chief. When in kakis, it is hard to tell them apart at a short distance.

[HardJedi]

Well, here was MY rule of thumb for dealing with the army and air force enlisted people.

If it had more than three stripes, just call it a sergant.

All officer ranks are the same except for in the navy. so if it's shiny, salute it. (except for cheifs, you can usually tell one, cause they are mostly fat slobs LOL)

If it has stripes and isn''t a Marine? ignore it unless spoken to, then follow the abouve 3 stripe rule. :)

[mrbsox]

Originally posted by cjwright90
Just be careful not to salute a Chief. When in kakis, it is hard to tell them apart at a short distance.

Been there, done that :bunny: :banana: :bunny:

[Lake0300]

LoL!! Interesting. I'll be walking with another Marine someday and he'll go to salute a chief and I'll say "no no no, hes fat, dont salute him" LoL! Thanks Jedi.

-Lake

[enviro]

Another embarrassing situation for you grunts is that you'll salute anything in a flight suit. Check the pi$$ cover for rank insignia. If it has something shiny, salute it. If it has nothing, he's enlisted. It's hard to read our little patches.

Navy Chiefs have always thrown me for a loop. They walk around in khakis with some shiny crap on their collar. If you do catch on that they are a Cheif then you have to find out how many itty bitty stars he has. Chief, Senior Chief, Master Chief.

If all else fails and you feel like you'll just embarrass yourself, then say, "Excuse me" then walk up to him and get real close and scrutinize his collar. Then follow up with, "Good Morning, Senior Chief" or what ever he is. And smartly walk off.

Chiefs are normally fat and short or tall and skinny. Most of them will never be caught without a cup of coffee.

http://www.goatlocker.org/Divoff.gif

[Seeley]

Distance is an arms lenth and a dollar bill. At least thats what I've been doing and been told. That's in front of you though. The sides is your left arm then you cover to the person in front of you while marching.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Where, pray tell, will you find a dollar bill on the drill field during the final drill competition????

More importantly Lake, if its Navy call it "Doc" or "Chaplain."
If its Army, call it Sarge
If its Air Force, call it Sgt... because just about all of them are a Sgt of some sort.

[arnoldyG/2/5]

Lake

Arm's length plus a cover

[naclyknine]

I once ran into a Chief that was in superb physical condition, muscles everywhere. He had a Marine haircut too. He was wearing that polyester squid suit that Navy officers and Chiefs wear, I was confused to say the least. Then I saw it...the Trident that signifies a S.E.A.L. That was one squared away individual. This guy was no swabbie.

Met some pretty squared away SeaBees too. My unit got into a ****ing contest with the squids at Rosey Rhodes in the E-Club where rum is sold by the bar tray...5 bucks for about 50 drinks...God we were hammered. We were outnumbered about three to one (bad odds for the squids). It was clear that a can of whupass was about to be opened. I was still clear headed enough to realize that the squids were going to the hospital and we Marines were going to the brig. The brig is no big deal compared to knowing that the Sergeant Major is going to have your sorry 6 on his carpet in the morning. Just as things were about to get all "cowboy", a SeaBee stood up on a table and called for everyone's attention. He said in his best John Wayne voice: "SeaBees, atten' hut". About 30 guys stood up, swaying with drink and smoke. The leader of their ilk continued "SeaBees built this f@#$ing club, SeaBees and Marines are welcome, swabbies GET OUT...and stay off the F@#$ing grass!". Off they went, that motley crew of mop jockies. The green clad boys, (SeaBees and Marines) remained, swaping lies, taking dares and generally getting smashed.

Alls well that ends well.

Sempers

[HardJedi]

Yep, them seabees are a different breed. Most of em I ever met had no use for regular navy, except for themselves, corpsmen, and Seals.

[cjwright90]

From what I have seen of SeeBees, they are pretty much Jarheads with Navy Ranks. Would not mind having a few around when it comes to setting up bivouac. Had some on Guam, remember Jedi?

[HardJedi]

yep, CJ, those were the guy's I was talking about. used to do ALOT of training with them. Did some war games On Tinian against them

[cjwright90]

Like I said, Jarheads with Navy Ranks.