Comments on: If ever there was an apprenticeship in Ironing…

By: tim

tim — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:54:59 +0000

Hi there! Gudday Tim…
I’ve just recently got out of the US Navy and I really enjoyed reading some of your posts. Cheers mate….
I am heading down under to do a project with your RAN bretheren and I would like to be made aware of the RAN vernacular — specifically in regards to the rank structure. No worries… I reckon you’ll be enjoying yourself then…
Below is how some things are done in the US Navy is it the same or different in the RAN?
Lieutenants Junior Grade (SubLieutenant) are referred to as “Lieutenant…” Often referred to as Subbies or Sub-Lieutenant – you may hear sub-Leftenant… a leftover from our British heritage – or some ex-Royal Navy people could be in RAN uniform around you, there’s a few of them over our way now. They also wear the usual ‘duty’ tags etc… OOW officer of the watch, OOD of the day etc.
Chief Petty Officers are “Chief” Yep – Chief it is – although it’s our Chief’s that become the head of that particular trade or category… i.e. Marine Engineering at sea… often the Chief is the Chief Tiff, The Chief in charge of the Seamanship branch on a ship is called the Buffer, the Chief Coxswain at sea (Naval Policeman) is called the Swain to name the most common ones – but mostly only at sea, or on a serving vessel.
Petty Officers are generally reffered to by their occupational specialty “MM1″ (machinist mate 1st class) Depends on their core task – this sometimes happens, but more often then not it’s simply PO.
The different levels of seaman (recruit, apprentise, full) are all called “seaman”. We have Seaman and Able Seaman – Seaman and AB is often the terms used there.
Is a Leading Seaman addressed as “Leading Hand?” Yes… but can differ if he or she has another key function on the ship – i.e. is in charge of the Armoury – this person is called the Gunners Yeoman.
You’ll have to jog my memory if you want anymore mate… you left out Warrant Officers – they simply go by the name “Sir!” or “Warrant Officer” but don’t get saluted. They are the only non-commissioned rank that get’s called Sir – all others are addressed by their given rank.

I was an Electrical Technical Weapons rate Tim… so if you want to know anymore mate – just let me know. Cheers and enjoy yourself mate!

By: finbar

finbar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:45:03 +0000

So what was it that you wanted so bad to take that?

Ahhh… now if only I could remember… lol!

It was a long time ago finbar… hindsight make you look back on things most times, and before you know it – you’re asking yourself silly questions like: “Now why in hell did I ever do THAT?!”

I guess had a place to go, that wasn’t where I’d ever been before, and – in my mind at that particular time in my life – that particular ’slice of life’ was simply one of those places I had to pass through in order to get there.

I guess it all seems so linear when your involved in the moment at the time – i.e. in order to get from A – Z, you have to go through B, C, D, E, F – one after the other – until you arrive (in due course) at Z. It’s not until well after (for most people I guess) that you get the chance to look back and realise that , perhaps MAYBE it didn’t have to be that way. But by then – it’s kinda too late eh?! Cheers finbar

By: Spike

Spike — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:54:36 +0000

Great post. Had never before considered the armed forces as a school of the domestic virtues.

Nor had I Spike… lol I don’t know if VIRTUE is a word I’d use in conjunction with the RAN – but then I’m guessing I’m just a little biased (not to mention compromised… there are people out there who have FAR too much dirt on me! lol)… I guess it’s handy being that dangerous with a hot steam iron at times eh Spike… Cheers for dropping by mate – hope all’s well on your side of Oz eh

By: Magnet

Magnet — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:20:20 +0000

” So damned perfectly in fact, that if you were to x-ray this ‘pile’ of shirts, the buttons would appear to be directly on top of one another.”

hmmn… you know there’s a lot of guys out there who could use this training, B. (judging from my ironing basket there’s some gals who could, too)

I fel so BADDDD… how slack am I?!

In my defence – whilst I might at times – be an ironing whiz of sorts – I am bloody hopeless at finding my way around this latest template I’m using… frigging frustrating! That and work keep me from the keyboard – where I could be using my powers for GOOD!

When we catching up for a brew DM – I reckon we’re way overdue lol

By: mummabare

mummabare — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:51:47 +0000

your welcome to come do my ironing

I suspect if you werent so freakin tall you would have those sorts of injuries lol

Oh now – that was harsh mate lol Yep – ironing… the health hazard you won’t hear men talking about – for ALL kinds of reason!
“Nahhh mate – I um – burned meself WELDING – yep… I know – in me jocks – bloody silly but hey, you know – a blokes gotta do…”
ANYTHING but the truth!!!

By: jeanie

jeanie — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:04:47 +0000

Great story! I was right there with you – in a much less punctual, wrinkled, invisible, looking over your shoulder sort of way!

Oh dear – in that case Jeanie – mind the iron! I tend to still fling it around with purpose… some habit’s – once developed – tend to stay, for good or for bad! I do have to say though – I’m a little more careful these days with the hot end… lol Thanks for dropping by…

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Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:40:34 +0000

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