Boatswain’s Mates: Keeping the Tradition Alive

U.S. 6TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

10.13.2022

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Porsha Thompson 

Carrier Strike Group 10

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Aqil Green, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), joined the Navy on August 15, 2018. After being offered other ratings, he chose the oldest – and arguably one of the most physically demanding – shipboard jobs the Navy had to offer.

“I was told this job was hands on,” said Green. “That people would rely on us. I wanted a challenge and I found one.”

The U.S. Navy established the boatswain’s mate rate on March 27, 1794 as a part of the Naval Act of 1794. At that time, ships were categorized based on how many weapons each carried. For every 22 guns a ship had, it employed one boatswain’s mate.

Deck department is involved in almost every major evolution aboard most Navy ships. They are vital to everything from replenishment-at-sea to acting as landing signalmen during flight operations and participating in search and rescue (SAR) operations.

Even though technological advancements like radar systems and navigation software made shipboard operations much faster and safer, boatswain’s mates remain a vital part of daily shipboard operations.

“As technology evolves so does the personnel, but a boatswain’s mate could never be replaced by technology,” said Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate Arvin Ilaccabrera, assigned to Truxtun.

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class David Delgado, now assigned to Truxtun, was previously assigned to the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, the Navy’s and world’s oldest commissioned ship. Most famous for capturing merchant ships and defeating British warships during the War of 1812, the USS Constitution still maintains its wooden frame and navigation sails, for which boatswain’s mates are responsible.

“I worked with the sails and we used wind navigation,” said Delgado. “Furling and unfurling the sails. It was a good time and we were always busy, always learning something.”

Women like Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Courtney Coy, assigned to Truxtun, have also become a major part of deck department. Record numbers of female boatswain’s mates are helping keep the traditions of the rate alive.

“It is empowering to keep this tradition going,” said Coy. “I like the toughness of it. There is nothing on this platform that can be done without the deck department. We are the lifeline.”

Not only are boatswain’s mates the lifeline of their platforms, they are each other’s lifelines as well.

“We are one big family,” said Green. “We rely on each other. We understand that how we do this job could either cost our shipmates their lives or save them. We take this job seriously.”

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG). CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

The ships of DESRON 26 within CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), Truxtun, and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

The GHWBCSG is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2022
• Date Posted: 10.14.2022 12:57
• Story ID: 431240
• Location: U.S. 6TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY