Deck Department (The Salts)

The men with the anchors, the cannon cockers, and the control men. Theirs is no soft life. When the wind is howling topside, when the seas crash on deck, when a boat must be lowered in heavy weather, when the handling of lines mean remaining on the beach or broaching, then men of the Deck Department take charge. 

Bosun Mates, Gunner's Mates, and Fire Control Technicians are proud to wear their rates. There's something about the crossed anchors insignia that set the wearer apart for the rest of his shipmates. 

Perhaps it's the fact that it's that oldest of rating, taking precedence in the chain of command, or it could be because it specializes in the Navy's basic field - Seamanship. 

The Gunner's Mate in todays Navy covers a wide variety of skills from specializing in hydraulic gear maintenance, small arms, machine guns to missiles. Every ship has the Gunner aboard as the expert on the fire power capabilities of his ship.

The Fire Control Technician, work side by side with the Gunner's Mate, ensuring that our directors and weapons operate at peak efficiency. His skills determine the accuracy of our shooting.