The Bluejacket's Manual

[@garygreen7552]

I learned a lot from this video. I enlisted as a reserve in 1963 and served my eight years including 2 years of active duty. I never had a copy of the Bluejacket's Manual. I also never was issued "dog tags." I did have the study manuals for my Petty Officer rating tests. I wish I had had one of those books. Thank you Master Chief for your videos.

[@maxcorey8144]

I went to boot camp in San Diego in 1968 and turned eighteen there. Then Great Lakes Naval Training Station for warship engineering. This is bringing back good and bad memories. Thank you. Oh, my Bluejacket Manuel is Centennial Edition.

[@DDGVET4]

That 1938 hammock and seabag combo was used in the movie The Sand Pebbles.

[@tombacon4219]

It's strange how that apostrophe floated around. The name went from Bluejacket's Manual to Bluejackets' Manual and then back to Bluejacket's Manual.

[@stevedow5842]

Thanks, Master Chief! I was USN from April 1978 to April 1985 and somewhere down the line lost my copy of the 19th edition that I was issued at RTC Great Lakes. It seemed out of date then having been published in 1973 however because of your OUTSTANDING post I was motivated to acquire a copy on eBay. Many thanks, Master Chief and may fair winds and following seas follow you always! Godspeed.

[@dmoss7143]

I cannot believe I just watched , and thoroughly enjoyed, almost 22 minutes of BlueJackets Manual history/gouge.

[@macnachten8822]

As enlisted sailors, we were called "blue jackets". It was a matter of pride. It was common to hear and to say "that blue jacket did a 4.0 job". We were steeped in this book like strong english tea to the point that when asked "who do you think you are?" The only response could be: "I am a First Class Petty Officer, an American Blue Jacket and when I bleed, I bleed Red White and Blue"...great video Master Chief, thanks.

[@matthewrobinson4323]

Chief, as I was watching this video, my mind went back to my own copy of the BJM, issued at Great Lakes RTC in 1964. Lot's of nostalgia. Thanks.

[@johnslaughter5475]

I enlisted in 1968. I purely loved the service dress blues, but did get myself a set of gabardines at my first opportunity in Japan. Aboard ship, we'd wear the undress blues when in stateside ports. They were comfortable, but a bit hot. Most of us hated the dress whites in P.I. Very difficult to keep clean. At least we were allowed dungarees at Grande Island. That picture of a guy golfing could easily have teen taken at NS Subic Bay/NAS Cubi Point. What a great base. There were more things to do there than you can shake a stick at. I spent a few days on the skeet range. I really like seeing the new dress whites with the piping. I wish we'd had them. BTW, most of us seldom wore a white jumper. We all preferred the short sleeved shirts that were tucked in. It's a shame that the Navy thinks sailors need camouflage. You can't tell their rate until you're right in front of them. In fact, until up close, you can't really tell an enlisted from an officer. Who are they trying to hide from? I'm sure the dungarees could be made fire resistant. We didn't get too many ports of call while I was aboard ship. Yokosuka, Sasebo, Hong Kong, Subic. Pearl doesn't really count. Come in in the morning and back to sea 24 hours late for ORI. A day or two after and then head for Subic or Japan before going to Vietnam. Two years aboard ship and well over a year on Yankee Station.

[@sergeantnightcire4027]

Hello. Just saw this video was from 4 years ago. Just bought the 26th edition! Aviation Machinist’s Mate proud! Actively serving as a third class now. Awesome content, Master Chief!

[@michaeldumais1784]

Great review Master Chief. I served first as a corpsmen and later as a Navy nurse corps officer. I reported to boot camp in June of ‘81 at Great Lakes and saw our version on your bookshelf right away. The white cover popped out because it was so different from the rest. I personally like the darker covers better. Your video is absolutely terrific! Thanks for your hard work in producing it! Mike

[@michaeldurling793]

Thanks for the blast from my past Master Chief, I was in service during the whole dress uniform change and actually got placed on restriction over it. We were required to purchase the new uniforms in advance of the deadline due to a scheduled change of Homeport. It was my contention that if the Navy wanted me to replace my perfect condition crackerjacks then they should foot the bill. I was an engineer, Machinist Mate 3rd and used my dress uniform maybe twice a year. Didn't seem right to me at the time so I rebelled, well you know better than most where that got me. Thanks for the channel I am really enjoying the memories, Honorably discharged March 1977

[@Dov_ben-Maccabee]

Completely agree. It's criminal to make enlisted pay for any uniform changes. Paltry allowance too.

[@haramanggapuja]

Wow! That's amazing stuff. My copy of the BJM is the '68, the year I signed up. I was just looking at it today, remembering how little I read out of it in bootcamp and how much more I got basically directly instructed from boot camp instructors & later from senior petty officers at various duty stations. As much as I have had to read -- once I got out of the USN and went to college -- I have to chuckle at how much more I would have learned if I'd taken the time to read. Thanks for this tour, Master Chief. Great videos.

[@thomasdaily4363]

Thanks, Master Chief. 20th was the edition I was issued at Great Lakes too. Seems like you and I were there at the same time. I arrived on August 11, 1981, and was in the staff company (932). I was the bugler, and probably played for your graduation. Small Navy.

[@sef1956]

Hey Master Chief! Great video. A bit of trivia for you regarding my dad and I. My dad enlisted in March of 1945 and hung onto his BlueJacket's Manual. As a little kid I read through it and learned how to tie knots, splice line and whip the ends of line from this manual. I perfect that art in Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts. I also learned a number of other things from it. Unfortunately the BJM that I got in bootcamp, 1974 GreatLakes, was junk compared to dad's 1944 version of it. Shortly after bootcamp I pitched my copy and longed for a copy of my dad's.

[@ritaloy8338]

I still have my Nineteenth Edition of the Blue Jackets Manual issued to me in NTC RTC San Diego on 16 JUL 1974.

[@steveoszman8746]

I been reading my Dad's 1940 copy. What a practical excellent manual with useful knowledge for many every day activities.

[@intrude1670]

We used none of this onboard a submarine. My CoB kept threatening to send us to the surface navy!

[@ajax1137]

True. I read mine from cover to cover in boot camp and was disappointed in how little it prepared me for submarine life.

[@Dov_ben-Maccabee]

In HM 'A' school, we were threatened with becoming an IBM ( Instant Boatswain Mate ) and going to 32nd Street Pier for the next ship out of San Diego if we failed any weekly test. Same if we got arrested in Tijuana.

[@NautilusSSN571]

Don't threaten me with a good time CoB

[@nualanet]

Still have my Dad's "Bluejacket's Manual 1940"

[@jamesstark8316]

I read my dad's 1940 edition right before I entered boot camp in Feb 1972. Retired as a senior chief in 1998. Still have the manual.

[@nualanet]

@@jamesstark8316 - Deep respect to you and your Dad, Senior Chief, and Thank You both for your service. My Dad’s Battle Station was a 20mm Oerlikon AA gun aboard U.S.S. Abbot DD 629, 1943-1945. We loved his Navy stories.

[@jamesstark8316]

@@nualanet My favorite relative's stories were from my uncle. He was a Sea Bee in the Pacific during WWII. Now he had some amazing tales.

[@nualanet]

@@jamesstark8316 - Our nextdoor neighbor when I was little, had been a Sea-Bee in the Pacific as well! He could build just about anything. In Summers, all of my Dad's friends, and the neighbors would gather on weekends with lawn torches and a giant cribbage board and talk about the war. Just about all of the services represented. Some great history lessons and I'm sure, the occasional embellishment. My uncle had fought in the Battle of the Bulge, my aunt's Dad was aboard a convoy escort ship, another friend of my Dad's was aboard the Baltimore. It was always fascinating to learn about the places they had been and the close-calls they'd had.

[@jamesstark8316]

@@nualanet Awesome. Sounds like we had the same childhood experiences. I had another uncle who drove Patton's command car in France for a short while. He was later busted down from sergeant but, even with my gentle prodding, he never told me why. Another uncle was a "monkey mate" on an LST in the Pacific. I miss listening to their stories; they were quiet heroes to me.

[@johnduchesneau8685]

Master Chief - My father had a 26 year career in the Navy. You will be happy to know that among the books in our family library were the 1943 and 1963 editions of the Bluejackets Manual. Many fun hours learning stuff I didn't really need to know.

[@johnknapp952]

Now you got me thinking "Where's my 19th edition of Bluejacket's Manual?" Considering all the school books and other stuff from back then I still have in the closet, that's the one thing I've misplaced.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Some interesting things have happened, centered around this Manual. I enjoyed my time in the US Navy and do talk about it. But one of my friends, formerly from the Army infantry, actually ordered a copy of the BJM as a surprise gift to me. This was very much appreciated. By the way I entered the Navy in 1970. No manual was issued to recruits then. I was aware of the BJM, but soon found it was not worth bringing it up. No interest and very little knowledge. By the way, this might have been an opportune time to explain the moniker, Bluejacket. Anyway thanks.

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

I was issued the 20th Edition in 1985 but I can't remember which printing because there were several printings of the 20th and they were all a bit different. Until I got married, I lived in barracks when not on a ship, and collected about 20 Blue Jacket's Manuals from roommates who no longer wanted them and left them behind when they transferred, most are 20th Editions but I do have a few 21st Editions, I also bought a hardback copy of the 20th Edition and it too was different than the paperback 20th Edition I was issued in Bootcamp. My dad was in the Merchant Marines in WWII and they have a similar book called The Merchant Seaman's Manual and it's very similar to the Blue Jacket's Manual.

[@PaulRing67]

Thanks for the interesting content on Navy life throughout the years. As a former newspaper writer and editor, I'd love an even more in-depth look at the production of The Bluejacket's Manual, if that's possible. I used to enjoy leafing through my dad's copy from the 1930s, and I think I almost ended up in the Navy because of it. One question I have after watching this video is, has any content (photos or text) stayed the same through many editions? For instance, it would be interesting to know if something from the first edition made it to the centenary edition, or beyond.

[@MrHiBeta]

I have collected BJM’s for years. Nothing serious, but I always look in used book stores for them. My earliest edition is from 1918. My first copy was given to me in the ‘60s, the 1943 edition. I was in my early teens, and I studied everything in it. The manuals had a lot of useful information for a kid, such as how to hold a life vest when abandoning a ship when jumping off a deck. I have plenty of gaps in my collection and may fill them sometime. BTW: I joined the Army and retired after 20 years. Go figure.

[@saltyroe3179]

My dad said that during WWII there were still sailing ships in use. Training on sailing ships was considered excellent to familiarize with the power and character of the sea. BTW my high school girlfriend gave me her mom's 1940 BJM which I gave to my son when he joined the Navy.

[@jhonyermo]

And USCG still has the Eagle for that very reason.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

I still remember being stationed at NAS Memphis with the Marine training squadron and seeing some suit and tie sailors when we wore Service A on our first day of EBAT (Enlisted Basic Aviation Training). That school and Corrosion Control School were the only two where Sailors had Marines were mixed

[@sef1956]

In rigger school at Lakehurst, 1974, sailors, Marines, and coasties were all together.

[@jonathanwayne8934]

Thank you so much for putting this video together. I have my father's 11th edition from 1944. he was a ball turret gunner in a Grumman TBF Avenger, 13th TBF squadron.

[@pgandy1]

I have watched several of your videos and enjoyed all. But this is my favourite as it brought back long forgotten memories. I’ll point out from the start, while I have the highest respect for the Navy, I was Army and no way do I have any desire to be a sailor as I have a problem with motion sickness and congested areas. It was bad enough in a plane, but those times were brief. I’m a jump qualified ground pounder, mustang from the old school. My first rifle was a M1903 although the Garand was the standard at the time. The ’03 was still in limited use. When I saw the rifle manual at mk 6:29 it brought a tear although from a time a bit earlier than I remember, it was close enough. Plate 5 I believe is what we knew as ‘Inspection Arms’. The command Slope Arms had been changed as had the position of Parade Rest. I had forgotten Plate 11, Secure Arms. Your description was good but you omitted the right hand covered the action. I found the present-day signal flags interesting as Cast (Charlie to me) is almost like our national colours, Costa Rica. I longer live in the States. Your comment about the hair spray at mk 6:10 is correct. At the at time was the subject of jokes from the guys. It was stiff and uncomfortable and one joke was they were afraid of breaking nails if they ran their fingers through a woman's hair. Another forgotten memory.

[@px5ix4pz6j]

Now I wanna collect every single edition of the Blue Jackets Manual

[@marl336]

A used book store in Rochester, MN 20 yrs ago. 1943 11th edition. 1st page inside the front cover; Earl M. Henderson 429-B-6 (penciled in) Then: P. M. 5 USNR and then: Paid july 28, 1944.

[@jmhowell70]

Like most sailors I still have my copy of the BJM. I still occasionally gloss through it

[@sportclay1]

Thanks again for another great video. I went and dug out my BJM (15th edition) Was issued to me in June 1965. I have taken it with me to every Marine Corps birthday event I have attended and Veterans Day in Washington, DC. Over the years I have had 9 Marine Corps Commandants, 6 Sgt.Maj. of the MC , 2 CNO's, 1 SecNav and 2 Master Chief of the Navy, Gen. Peter Pace CJS, and several Asst. CMC's sign it. HM2 8404 RVN '6 & RVN '68-'69.

[@geraldparker8125]

I have the 15th edition of "The Bluejackets' Manual" (1960) in the third printing of 1961, The end pagination has increased slightly to a total printed page count of 641 pages, There is a generous amount of blank leaves at the end, which I used to write my own notes upon, quite a few of them over the span of my sctive servive, at that. I definitely was a sailor who USED the manual regularly.

[@jamesupton143]

My dad was in from 1960 to 1968. As kids we read his Blue Jackets Manual. A couple of years ago I found a copy in a good will store that was the same edition as dad's. When he passes I will make sure my brother gets dad's copy.

[@stephenrosenthal5337]

I watched this video a few days ago and by pure coincidence, yesterday I came across my grandfather's 1943 11th edition. Thanks to this video, I knew exactly what I'd found. Excellent and informative channel.

[@robertfoedisch]

I have been a sailor in the US Navy and the US Merchant Fleet. A note of interest the US Merchant fleet still uses the Point system when on look out to describe another object relative to ones own ship. i.e. I see a light 2 points off the port bow. A point being 11 1/4 degrees

[@joedoakes8778]

You do an excellent job, please keep up the good work. On the dying of the hats blue; as a child, I was told by two uncles, who were WWII USN (Pacific) veterans, that this was done because the white hats reflected light especially at night. Weather this is true or not, it does make sense.

[@maxcorey8144]

I was four years in the USN, a MM3, two combat tours in Viet Nam, Honorable Discharge, 1968-1969. I recently ordered a Bluejacket Manual to reminisce. Needed to know the refueling at sea for a model I was building also. Aboard a WWII DD, a Sumner, USS Hugh Purvis DD709, built in 1945 and participated in a few battles like Okinawa. The manuals for the various machinery and the pressure closed steam plant (most ships) were all Classified. Which was silly but many Navy traditions, uniforms, putting white rope on every railing and valve wheel and such are silly if you look at them that way. In the Army you see rows of white painted rocks lining the pathways at forts, In the Navy you see rows of 16 inch shells standing with chains between them on base.

[@hopper1]

I have my Dad's and Uncle's (they served in the Navy at the same time) fourteenth edition manuals. It was and still is one of my favorite books.

[@admiralnelson1805]

Fascinating. I still have my Dad's copy of the 1940 Blue Jacket's Manual from 1940. He served in the Coast Guard in Alameda, California. The manual is in excellent condition. I also have his original seabag and cap which has been hanging in my bedroom for many years. There was also a paperback Coast Guard Version for chapters 18 to 22 which provided additional information for those serving in the Coast Guard.

[@vicbuisset5586]

Thanks for the video, Master Chief. I'm a 19th edition Blue Jackets Manual sailor and RTC Great Lakes Bootcamp alumni (21st Batt, Co. 016 - QMC Pruitt).

[@michaelwest4325]

My grandfather's from his service in WW2 was lost to us but I managed to find a 1943 Eleventh edition being given away in a used book box, belonged to Hoy Bull Morris dated 4/15/1944. I reference it often and it gives me some connection to grandfather's war time service.

[@schlirf]

Found my uncles Bluejacket's manual from the the 1950s (USS. Meredith). Its a damned good reference book, and it might be a good idea to copy its style of teaching for other services.

[@TVaughan667]

As a youngster, I would leaf through my father's 1944 edition. While it lacked color photographs, it did have a few 'watercolor' plates I thought attractive. He served from 1947 through 1951, as an AM. I enlisted in December 1981 and served through January 1989 as an AG. I still have both Bluejacket's Manuals.

[@flounder2129]

One thing I noticed bout the 1944 and earlier is the US FLAG having less than 50 stars

[@roadgeneral]

I still have my 1960 BJM. Thanks for these videos, Chief. Brings back a lot of old memories for an old man.

[@oldfart4711]

Old ones were much thicker than my 1965 issue!

[@stephenbritton9297]

1) "hermaphridite brig" is also know as a "brigantine." Probably for a reason... 2) I would love to compare the evolution of the Blue Jacket's Manual and it's civilian counterpart, the American Merchant Seaman's Manual.

[@hrickwood]

Wow! Just ran across your channel and love it. I joined the Navy in 1969 so my edition was 18 - 1968. I wore all those uniforms plus the Marine uniform with Navy insignia - attached to the USMC FMF as a Hospital Corpsman. Went to RTC San Diego for Bootcamp and Balboa Hospital for Hospital Corps School and Camp Pendleton (Del Mar) for FMSS. Lots of good and bad memories from the times. I do remember a replacement for dungarees but it was optional and I never used it and later wore the Marine utilities. Although I was mostly wearing the Marine uniform by that time, we (Navy corpsmen) were almost uniformly against the Navy uniform changes. I got out in the summer of '73 and did not see the change. I so much enjoy your work on these episodes, keep it up! "HM2 HR Wood"

[@edwardfleming5434]

Joined in '71, went to weekend warrior status in '75. By that time, I ended up with 3 or 4 seabags of uniforms. Original crackerjack issue, then issued the suit/tie set, when transferred to the Marine reserves, utilities & dress greens, then cammies. HM3.

[@leathersaddlehorse]

I have my Dad's 1943 Edition. Love it ad I really appreciate this video. I served from 1969-1973. For the life of me, I can't remember getting one issued and have no idea what happened to it. Very disappointed!

[@Planedoc1959]

Great video Master Chief and thanks for your service! I enlisted a year after you did. My collection runs 10th through 24th and includes the Coastie 9th. Loved my time in the Navy! I’d do it all over again!

[@billbye2427]

OLD editions of the BJM are historical references to be a record for future seaman; all manuals were written to keep your ass alive! My 1943 edition is not for sale. its my favorite edition. Thanks Chief!

[@Starphot]

Mine was the 18th (1968) BJM. I entered in Oct 1971, I was issued the dress whites with piping. But that was removed by the time my battalion graduated in Jan, 1972. The summer white collar shirt replaced that. Also in Jan 1972, the serial number changed from a B or D type into your SSN! I still have my B-# dog tags!

[@edwardfleming5434]

I entered in Aug 1971, boot camp San Diego. We were not issued dress whites with piping. Still wear my B dog tags with a medical alert tag added these days.

[@willy480able]

I see where my Scout Handbook got it’s inspiration.

[@petelutz2967]

In a copy of the book from the late '30s or early 40s, given to me some years ago by a very dear friend, there's a statement to the effect that a sailor should always be proud to wear his uniform in public, and not be like "other sailors", who might rent a locker in town where they'd keep civilian clothes. I always got a kick out of that.

[@suzannelebizarre5705]

I remember getting one of those...when I went active duty (had joined the reserve, was sent to a Norfolk Va, tin can for a "two weeker" before going to boot camp way back in the 1950s...enjoyed the experience so much I went active duty)! The requirement at that time was for 8 years duty active/reserve...or be drafted (Korean Conflict). I did get a 44 week "class A" service school at what is now a decommishioned base at "Bainbridge, MD" (now set up for private business ). FYI, I made E-6 in less than 4 years...only bowing out when an interaction with the exec Officere of my ship pulled a fast one on me. I had taken the tes for "NavCad" Cadet and the exec told me if I "shipped over" he would tell me if I passed. I responded that Should I pass I would have no problems "shipping over"...and so I was released from active duty in SEpt of 1960...And spent the next 40 years with DoD (could tell you what I did, but then I'd have to shoot you - grins - standard joke...Always loved the Navy...had an uncle who was a pilot of a B-26, got shot down over Africa in the early part of WW II(wanted me to join the Air force) and a cousin who was a medic, had a photog take his pic at the lading on Omaha Beach...and another who was Army. spent his WW II time in the Alutian Isles (Attu).

[@OlDusty90]

I instantly recognized that page shown in the 24th edition. It is funny what you remember. The 25th edition looks really nice, I will have to pick up a hardcopy the next chance I get. Great video!

[@zelphx]

Oddly, the 1950 edition was passed down to me, also. I read the HELL out of it, believing I'd be a sailor (then a chief) someday. But... I broke a generations-long tradition and became a teacher. I was a Sea Cadet (not "SCOUT"!!!), and was in NJROTC.

[@brandashusband]

Good evening Master Chief .... GREAT telling of the story of the Bluejacket Manual. Just today, I ordered a copy of the 1969 edition, probably the edition I had when I went through Great Lakes Boot Camp in 1970. I enjoyed the section on the "Manual of Arms", so here's the question. Do you recall the strenuous "96 Count Manual Of Arms" performed to music? And if so, can you supply a video of it? I can't seem to find reference to it anywhere.

[@johnknapp952]

I remember my dad saying that he used a hammock when aboard the USS Orion AS-18 in '42.

[@jdblack9703]

Master Chief: I served in the USAF from 1970 to 1974 but I have subsequently collected several BJM’s. My 1946 13th edition has 622 pages not 621 pages as you stated but this is not the reason for my comment. I wonder if you would go over how to fold uniforms and display for inspection and extending from this, how to display in a locker and how to pack a sea bag. Not much is written on this in recent editions. By the way, can you explain in detail what laundry ties were? What were they made of, were the ends whipped, and so on. You have a great channel. I especially like the episode on the chow. Regards, JD Black

[@railroad9000]

I still have my copy from the early 1960's.

[@rickscott4471]

Still have my 1973 19th Edition handy!

[@sgtscot658]

I was in company 351 in 82 at great lakes and we were one of the last boot companies to do the manual of arms. I also remember in boot camp are CC's were such chain smokers that we would get a ton of smoke breaks. All in all my boot camp expairience was actually fun, made lots of friends and the CC's were nice guys. I guess I was blessed.

[@edwardfleming5434]

My cc was a CPO in the manner of the Marine DI. He about beat the crap out of one guy who shot off his mouth.

[@od1452]

Thanks. Point of interest. A friend who was in the Navy late 60s to 71 told me the Dress Blues actually had wide pant legs and sailors had the thighs tailored to make "Bell Bottoms" . That would be an interesting topic.

[@HIC392]

The issued dress blue trousers were known as "broad falls". No taper from the crotch to the ankle. A good tailor would make you look like a sailor.

[@jonathanrice1070]

I can imagine the old salts demanding that sails be included in the manuals!

[@alancranford3398]

I managed to accumulate 1917, 1944, and 2009 editions of the Blue Jacket Manual. Yes, there are interesting changes.

[@jefferynunez3307]

Master Chief, love this episode. I collect Naval themed antiques myself and am looking to purchase a 1902 Bluejackets Manual. May I ask how did you go about acquiring yours? What should I expect to pay for one? Where’s the best place to find one? Any information helps, thanks! Hooyah!

[@steveschramko2386]

When I was a kid, I had a copy of the 1943 edition. To call it a 'manual' is actually to do it a disservice. It was really an ENCYCLOPEDIA, a one volume encyclopedia ! Every conceivable kind of information could be found there. I used to browse through it for hours learning unbelievable things. It had lots of colored illustrations and diagrams. I subsequently acquired a later edition of the manual, and it wasn't a patch on the earlier one. I also acquired an edition of the Naval Academy's Reef Points and it makes an interesting comparison.

[@MrSuperkingtom]

Q and A format. Kind of like a catechism. I bet there was much popping tall to answer.

[@TristenTheArgonian]

I had a 24tn edition back in the USNSCC

[@carriesullivan5212]

Just found my grandfather’s 1940 edition. He was a CPO on CA65 USS Baltimore which ferried Roosevelt to a meeting with MacArthur and Nimitz.

[@melissaroscher1080]

Dad always kept his. When my ankle had a bad cut he swiftly had it by his side and bandage me then it was of to the ER. WW2 pacific.

[@JacobA6464]

My mom found a 15th edition for me at a thrift store, i keep it next to me almost all the time just because of how interesting it is, even if i cant join the military (atleast i think).

[@thurin84]

fascinating. ive got a few editions of these. love em. theyre great for illustrating insignia and ratings, and navy customs.

[@neophytealpha]

Would like to see the 70s Navy dress uniforms return, with the current ones as optional.

[@jhonyermo]

AND the Dungarees, Best, most comfortably uniform in the history of the Armed Forces.

[@ritaloy8338]

@@jhonyermo I fully agree on the Dungarees.

[@ritaloy8338]

As someone who was issued them in my opinion no thank you.

[@jimwjohnq.public]

@@jhonyermo yep. Dungarees, chambray shirts and steel toe boondockers.

[@CAphotos]

I still have my 1963 edition from boot camp in 1965.

[@kevinchildress6569]

Master Chief, I enjoy the videos a lot I had the opportunity to meet Mr Cutler in the early 80s, he interviewed my father for a book about the Brown water navy

[@michealfeeney8920]

Holy toledo Master Chief! 20th edition was my edition as well, got mine in the same place, but a few years later than you.

[@sqike001ton]

my guess on the info on sails in the early years was the navy might fight people with sailing ships and you might have to sail on a captured ship so you need guys to know how to well sail a ship

[@johnbeauvais3159]

I first heard the term Hermaphrodite Brig with respect to the wreck of the City of Washington. I thought it meant a ship powered by sail and steam.

[@dougbourdo2589]

I never had the honor of military service. My dad was a sailor in the mid 50's. As a kid I found his Bluejackets Manual, reading it cover to cover many times. It is also where I first encountered the term "Fuckhead" as entered by one of his fellow sailors along with other rather colorful entries.

[@chuckbrackett5951]

Wow Masterchief, we shared the same BJM....any idea where I can purchase one?? Want to teach my 21 yo son how to properly make a rack from the top of the mattress to exactly 8 " to the top of the sheet...lol. Thank you so much for the content.

[@od1452]

One thing I admired about the Navy.... I was told.. if one folded all uniforms and gear (basic issue) as per manual.. it would all fit in a sea bag. The Army said our gear would too, ... But it never worked and no manual was ever detailed on how to achieve this . We learned to draw a rope through the lock grommet in order to get the leverage to close up the duffle bag . In fact the Army never had a sense of scale when drawing locker diagrams.. They looked great but didn't fit in reality.

[@mikestanley9176]

I still have my 20th edition copy from 1980. San Diego RTC Co 160

[@Dov_ben-Maccabee]

RTC San Diego Sep. '87 - Div 4. Co 180

[@dmmucha1]

Do you know when the manual stopped referring to ditty boxes? My 1918 edition refers to them on the section of stowing clothes Pg184 and also instructions for washing the deck (remove ditty boxes from the floor). My 1940 edition no longer mentions ditty boxes.

[@raymondbergeron2853]

I too had the 18th edition issued to me in 1985, do you know if Thomas Cutler was related to Bruce Cutler of Vietnam war fame , he wrote some books on the Riverine forces during the war.

[@davesmith3300]

They wouldnt even let us read our bluejacket in bootcamp. I would bring to the at night and read it. Still have it

[@markpelley]

Great video Mark. My dad was in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. He passed away when I was 10 and I didn’t get much information about his service. I did send away to the National Archives and I received copies of what looks like from a small narrow book. Would that have been from his BlueJacket Manual? If it was, I wish I would have got the book itself. Appreciate your work. Mark

[@Robert_Keel]

Little ditty I learned from my navy career father - "I joined the Navy, to see the world. I joined the Navy, I saw the sea."

[@JosephCoates]

My 21st edition is a paperback. I feel like I got ripped off, although looking back at it, its probably not the worst thing that happened to me in my 8 years.

[@leebest1a470]

Interesting. Thanks for the great info 👍

[@wildmanofthewynooch7028]

Still have mine.

[@edwardfleming5434]

We had to read the BJM some in boot camp, I don't recall ever reading it after that. OT; anyone know where I can pick up a Handbook of the Hospital Corps, circa 1970-71?

[@strd100]

Great info! As a Sea Scout in Long Beach CA in the early 80's, we had access to A LOT of these. 2:35, is 'Bluejackets" a printing error, or by design?

[@welderjedi5145]

Amazing videos! Thank you L Chasteen ABF3 CARL VINSON

[@jimjungle1397]

I have my grandfather's 1943 edition and my father's 1950 edition. My grandfather was born in 1895 and enlisted for WWI and again for WWII. My father was born in 1929.

[@windwalker5765]

We got to get this guy to do a crossover with Jingles.

[@ryanely1421]

So the blue jackets manual is just like the guidebook for marines?

[@gunsaway1]

Very interesting. Enjoyed it. Army guy!

[@jeffhaddox2239]

Thanks lost my 20th edition I was issued in ‘82 too fluid damage.