Replies

Thanks for that explication of the Navy pecking order. The last Navy man in our family was great-uncle Henry Augustus Dent, who was with Dewey at Manila Bay. So you can see how we might not be up to date on the details. I had heard of "Deck Apes" before, but didn't know exactly who or what they were (I mean, I've got a couple of "Yard Apes", but I'm sure it's not the same . . . :-D )

Of course, you have to remember that, at least back in the Old Days before it was discovered that everyone has an "Inner Child" whose self esteem needs to be stroked, a Navy ship was as Politicaly Incorrect as an all-boys high school with all the ribbing that brings.

The "Deck Apes" were not the only ones subjected to such ribbing.

Our ship had a Marine detachment aboard and the Marine Detatchment Officer's uniform was the camaflouged BDU that stood out like a sore thumb along side all the Navy officers in khaki. So, he was called "The Tree".........."This is our XO, CDR Wilson, this is our Doc, LT Polybius, this is our Tree, First Lieutenant Smith....."

In my case, whenever there was a Divison Officer's meeting where someone mentioned a bow compartment on the ship, the Chief Engineer would love to say, "For the benefit of the Doc, we should explain that the "bow" is "the pointy end of the ship". ;-)

That is a hoot!

Sorta like, "We will assemble at 1300 hours. For all you Reservists, that's 1 in the afternoon. For all you Marines, Mickey's big hand is on the twelve, and his little hand is on the one . . . "

< ducking >