The Sextant > Heritage

Some Obsolete Navy Ratings

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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

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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

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Dec. 01, 2023

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

“A Tall Ship and A Star to Steer Her By:” Star T...

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Apr. 05, 2023

In the fictional history of Star Trek[1] there are few days more important than 5 April. On that day in 2063,...

The Legalman Rating Turns 50

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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...

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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

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Jan. 15, 2021

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

Ringing in the New Year Navy Style

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Nov. 06, 2019

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

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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

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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

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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

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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...

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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

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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!

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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

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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...

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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

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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

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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' ...

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...

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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

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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 ...

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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

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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?

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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

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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...

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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

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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...

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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

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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

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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...

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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

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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

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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...

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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

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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...

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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

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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...

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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

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May. 15, 2013

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