The Sextant > Heritage

Some Obsolete Navy Ratings

Blog

Mar. 26, 2024

Pigeon trainers, airship riggers, and buglers—these are just a few of the enlisted Navy ratings (jobs) no...

Uniforms for Changing Times

Blog

Dec. 12, 2023

In the early 1970s, the military’s recruiting and retention efforts drew even greater scrutiny in anticipation...

Naval Legal Service Command Turns 50

Blog

Dec. 01, 2023

On Nov. 3, 1966, the 22nd Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy, Rear Adm. Wilfred Hearn, spoke about a...

The Legalman Rating Turns 50

Blog

Jan. 03, 2022

“In the early 1970s, I was a yeoman, working in Pensacola, Fla., in the legal office at the U.S. Naval...

Immunization and the Fight against Disease: A Sh...

Blog

Feb. 02, 2021

On December 14, 2020 the Naval Medical Center San Diego became one of the first US military installations to...

Bridging the Gap between Sea and Shore

Blog

Jan. 15, 2021

Celebrating 15 Years of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command through Pictures.

Ringing in the New Year Navy Style

Blog

Jan. 07, 2021

The Naval History and Heritage Command is hereby reviving the tradition of the New Year's Deck Log Poetry...

Steaming Into the New Year

Blog

Dec. 31, 2020

EDITOR'S NOTE: For many American Sailors, forward-deployed around the world in defense of freedom, it's...

"Crossing the Line" in the Pacific War

Blog

Oct. 23, 2020

While commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, we reflect on the life of Harry H...

What So Proudly We Hail

Blog

Jun. 11, 2020

Every morning at 0800, Sailors around the world hear the call to colors. They take a moment of silence, stop...

Weathering the Storm Aboard USS Constitution

Blog

Mar. 30, 2020

On behalf of the crew of USS Constitution, thank you to our partners, fans, and supporters who have celebrated...

A Family Tradition

Blog

Nov. 06, 2019

Hugh Wyman Howard's Naval Academy sweater....

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship...

Blog

Jun. 26, 2019

Basic seamanship is the foundation for a Sailor's life at sea. Whether it's line handling, understanding basic...

NHHC Director Delivers Remarks at USS Missouri S...

Blog

Jun. 14, 2019

On June 11, 2019, Director of Naval History and Heritage Command Rear Admiral Samuel Cox, U.S. Navy (retired)...

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship...

Blog

Jun. 07, 2019

Basic seamanship is the foundation for a Sailor's life at sea. Whether it's line handling, understanding basic...

The Fates of the Six Frigates Created by the Nav...

Blog

Mar. 27, 2019

George Washington gives us perhaps one of the greatest quotes to describe our Navy's important role. In a...

Strong Crew, and Rescue, Set Sailor Standards fo...

Blog

Feb. 22, 2019

On February 21st, 2019, NAVADMIN 039/19 directed the Navy to return to the union jack beginning Tuesday June...

The Enterprise Stern Plate: From Scrapyard to Sm...

Blog

May. 31, 2018

On May 26, 2018, I had the opportunity to see and touch what many consider to be the "Holy Grail" of artifacts...

The Navy's Tradition of the New Year's Day Deck Log

Blog

Dec. 28, 2017

Well, this is the watch on that special night,When the OD writes poetry by gangway lightTis the 1st of...

Ships named for U.S. Marines

Blog

Nov. 03, 2017

Since its creation in 1775, the United States Marines Corps has created its own unique history and culture...

Theodore Roosevelt and Navy Day

Blog

Oct. 23, 2017

From John Paul Jones to Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, from Rear Adm. Grace Hopper to Master Chief Carl Brashear - when...

Thoughts on the Navy's Future From the Oldest Co...

Blog

Jul. 20, 2017

As I stand on the quarterdeck of the great ship 'Constitution' I am often struck by the deep connections this...

The Traditions of Ship Commissionings

Blog

Jun. 09, 2017

The Navy's use of the word "commission" means the placing of a ship in active service. The commissioning...

10 Things You Need to Know About Your Seabees!

Blog

Mar. 03, 2017

Did you know March 5th marks the 75th anniversary of the Seabees? Celebrate with us! Seabees young and old are...

Navy Ships Honoring Presidents of the United States

Blog

Feb. 17, 2017

While not inclusive of EVERY ship named after a President (that would be a MUCH longer blog!), here are a few...

The Important Role of Naval History to Honor the...

Blog

Dec. 30, 2016

Editor's Note: As we look forward to the year 2017 and the opportunites our history offers to honor the past...

Commemorating The Holidays Through The Years

Blog

Dec. 21, 2016

While most of us are home sharing dinner or opening gifts with friends and family this Holiday Season, it's...

Manning the Rails: A Navy Tradition

Blog

Oct. 03, 2016

Manning the rail, like the ceremonial military gun salute, is a centuries old practice for rendering honors...

DING! DING! History and Heritage Blog on Ships' ...

Blog

Oct. 03, 2016

For centuries, bells have had a long tradition of use in the navies and merchant fleets around the world. From...

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions - Part Two

Blog

Jun. 23, 2016

Have you ever wondered why a "peacoat" is called a peacoat? Why in the world is the bathroom called the...

The Dixie Cup: An Everyday Icon and Historic Symbol

Blog

Apr. 06, 2016

Of all uniform items issued to Sailors in the United States Navy, no other item may be as iconic as the white...

Skin Deep: The Nautical Roots of Tattoo Culture

Blog

Apr. 01, 2016

Editor's Note: In response to feedback from the fleet and senior enlisted leadership, the Navy announced two...

The Making of the Medal of Honor

Blog

Feb. 26, 2016

Like a ship's crest, the symbolism behind a physical medal associated with an award in America's Navy isn't...

Flag Friday: 6 Weeks of Sassy Songs and Flippant...

Blog

Jan. 29, 2016

For our first installment of Flag Friday in the year 2016, we will harken back to a time when navy skippers...

Building Bridges on Sunken Ships

Blog

Nov. 04, 2015

I've just attended a series of meetings in Jakarta last week where government officials from Indonesia, the...

Infamous Words from Failed Battle Inspire Naval ...

Blog

Sep. 08, 2015

When it comes to memorable flags, they're not always the Stars and Stripes of the American flag. Sometimes it...

Old Glory Continues to Inspire Drama and Intrigue

Blog

Aug. 07, 2015

While many have called the American flag "Old Glory," few know how that nickname began. Fewer still know about...

Half-Mast or Half-Staff?

Blog

Jul. 24, 2015

Blame the British. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, so wrote Shakespeare for his epic teenage...

Return to Homeport: U.S. Navy Homecoming Traditions

Blog

Jun. 02, 2015

Excitement builds up before Sailors even set foot on the pier. You can hear the excited chatter of family and...

Honoring our Shipmates: The Heritage of the Mili...

Blog

May. 23, 2015

Honoring the deceased is a centuries-old practice that includes many traditions across cultures. The customs...

The Honor of Restoring America's Ship of State

Blog

May. 13, 2015

Maintaining USS Constitution's "iron sides" secures a vital part of our nation's great heritage. Since its...

Silent Professionals: History of the Rank of Chi...

Blog

Mar. 31, 2015

Since the days of antiquity, highly skilled seamen have been prized for their knowledge and skill. As vessels...

The Legacy of Ships Named Enterprise

Blog

Mar. 06, 2015

On March 6, 1822, a 12-gun schooner named Enterprise captured four pirate vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. The...

Honoring the Legacy of Navy Nurses Worldwide

Blog

Jan. 06, 2015

Navy Nurse Corps POWs posing with Vice Adm. Thomas C. Kincaid, Commander of the 7th Fleet and Southwest...

Frigates, Brigs, Sloops, Schooners, and the Earl...

Blog

Dec. 13, 2014

In 1775, Americans were no strangers to the ways of the sea, either in peace or in war. In the years...

Tending the Side: A Navy Tradition

Blog

Nov. 18, 2014

Welcoming dignitaries and visitors of special attention aboard ships carries with it the ancient nautical...

History and Display of Military Awards and Ribbons

Blog

Nov. 18, 2014

The practice of using military decorations to honor individuals or fighting organizations dates back to...

The POW/MIA Table: A Place Setting for One, A Ta...

Blog

Oct. 06, 2014

If you've ever been to a military ball, stepped inside a chow hall, or attended an event at a military...

The Colors of a Navy and Nation

Blog

Sep. 12, 2014

Flags, standards, and banners have been used for thousands of years as visual symbols of those who bear them...

#PlatformsMatter -- The Rebirth of the U.S. Navy...

Blog

Mar. 27, 2014

Yesterday, we outlined how piracy was the catalyst in getting the leadership of the young United States on...

Salutations with a Bang! The Military Gun Salute

Blog

Mar. 19, 2014

If you've ever attended a significant military ceremony, you may not have seen it, but you certainly heard it:...

Honoring Shipmates Past and Present: Laying a Wr...

Blog

Dec. 09, 2013

Dec. 7, 2013 was a bitingly cold day in Northern Virginia, made all the more so by having unseasonable warm...

The Legend of the USS ENTERPRISE

Blog

May. 15, 2013

The month of May historically has been an important time for?the USS Enterprise. On May 12, 1938 the USS...