The Communications Officer Afloat (released 1974)

[@spoonyluv9105]

I love Navy docs, my late Paps was in 1965- 1972 and was a communications officer and this is the first I have ever seen this. Takes me back to stories of his service time

[@kenloomer4391]

my acting debute........I am that FACCON person "LOOMER" ..... took my nearly 40 years to see this......hilareous....glad i didnt give up my day job.

[@lanceschoenbaum1358]

I must say, I love this. I was a 20 year Signalman, 1983-2004. We were just gettin over the horrible Zumwalt uniforms and all the druggies when I hit the fleet. But to agree with several other comments, the Communications Officer NEVER touched any equipment or stood Comm Watch Officer, that was done by RMC on a carrier and RM2/RM1 on the small boys. As for the Signals Officer being on the Signal Bridge during GQ, HA! On the carrier he might have been on the bridge as JOOW and concurring with whatever the SMC said from the Signal Bridge. Never the less, great memories, nice to see the Indy Maru (CV-62) and NOB Norfolk crowded with all those different ships. I served mostly PACFLT, CV, LHA, BB, FF, FFG, LSD, AO, AOE. Lance Schoenbaum SMC USN Retired

[@KutWrite]

As a former JO on a DD, Radio Officer on the Blue Ridge, and Signal Officer on the Kitty Hawk as a reservist, I agree with all you said! I got off ACDU when this film was made. I think it was a great time to have been in the Nav. Not sure how much I'd like the "Mother May I" attitude of today.

[@Bozovich]

Love this video! It took me back down memory lane. The COMMO's on my ships couldn't have set up a circuit if their life depended on it. COMMO managed the COMSEC account and stood watch on the bridge :-)

[@101greasemonkey5]

My brother in law is the signal man on the deck look out at 17:33, Don Elliot tells him "well done Crader" He retired from the Navy as a Chief.

[@davidlucasmachado2831]

And why are we supposed to believe you ????

[@bbface21]

I'm watching this and imagining the sound of the film projector in the background.

[@michaelbuss5731]

Fond memories having served on both a carrier and the FF. The chief's salute, the wheel book yes indeed!

[@mr.duckplucker5353]

Outstanding film, thank you for sharing this.

[@PeteMcCorvey]

I've served on both a destroyer and a carrier, and you can give me a destroyer anyday over carrier duty any day.

[@DanDaManZ06]

I am in the Navy now and i gotta admit i this is so funny watching how the looked back in the day. The Navy in this video is a completely different Navy now.

[@survivorandlover]

Yeah, it is. Worse. .. thanks to strangled budgets, myopic planning, incompetent leadership and and op tempo that demands too much of sailors barely half as trained as the old school ones were.

[@dysfunctional_vet]

i worked comms, and while not on a ship, a lot of that equipment was so familiar...missed the reperf tape though, and the speaker watch... that was turned up and we got a fair share of distress calls. miss the life, it was always good

[@rgloria40]

The communication officer did not control the internal communication system. In some case, they did not handle the maintenance, installation, and operation for radio equipment for external communication. There was the Signals Officer, Classified Material Officer, Electronic Material Officer, Electrical Officer, Combat Information Officer, Internal Communication Officer and even the Auxiliaries Officer who require a STEM degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Basic Engineering Degree. Most CO assign a ENGLISH major for writing and reading messages and be just a glorified secretary. Typing has become very important to this job...

[@robertfallin9733]

There was no mention of ships with outdated equipment. There was no mentioned of the giant suck of radioman to Vietnam leaving many ships with half a dozen rated radioman running port and starboard watches. Rm3, 1963-67. God bless those how stand the watch.

[@tyronemarcucci6991]

20 years as a signalman.never saw my comm boss,except when he wanted to "peek" through the "big eyes" like a tourist.

[@jameskaras4345]

flag form at the dip

[@jameskaras4345]

EX2-25X (EXECUTE EXER ...(25X IS FROM TABLE ..PAPA)

[@snipe1066]

Two westpacs (72-74 ,75-76)onboard DE/FF 1066 Marvin Shields , we never wore Dixie cups except during dress inspections , hated those dark blue work uniforms. Good times though.....

[@fourfortyroadrunner]

Actually, LMAO most of those guys would have probably done just fine without Ensign Elliott interjecting

[@rainysunday6186]

fourfortyroadrunner and the ensign would Never ImI Never talk to the watch standers. He only talks to the chief . .. . .

[@joeclark1871]

the best COMMOs stayed out of radio, let the chiefs handle it while the COMMO worked on his SWO quals.

[@Apolyion]

I'm digging that groovy 70's music. Small mention- FF-1084 was not a DD. USS McCandless was a Knox-class frigate, a true "tin can". I know, I served on the U.S.S. Paul out of Mayport.

[@josephjannuzzi1711]

FF was the later designation, they were originally commissioned as a DE, Destroyer Escort. They were neither fast nor a frigate.

[@KutWrite]

As a former JO on a DD, Radio Officer on the Blue Ridge, and Signal Officer attached to the Kitty Hawk as a reservist, I agree with all you said! I got off ACDU about when this film was made. I think it was a great time to have been in the Nav. Not sure how much I'd like the "Mother May I" attitude of today.

[@dace938]

I served on USS Mt Whtiney 74- 77 ... we ALL wore ball caps. Are we sure this is 74 ? Not sure seeing all the traditional dixie cups.

[@barrybuchert1345]

We had ball caps when I was in too that time. We never ran to GQ during a drill like these people did.

[@redwatch1100]

I dig that music, cat. That's some happenin jazz, Sam... lol

[@josephjannuzzi1711]

Those Zero's haircuts would have never passed when I was in.

[@IronPiedmont]

My brother is a communications officer in the Navy.

[@mikejones-tf6zo]

think of a number between 1 and 3 and you will get it lol

[@mcds54]

Memories.... served as RM... discharged as RM2 72'-78'... 2 AEs, a DE, and a couple of NavStas.

[@dace938]

INT QRK

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Very good video.

[@briansmith6445]

Love that groovy 70's music! 😛

[@dwmorse78]

Okay, 5 or so minutes in and I see a Chief that can't salute worth a damn and an ENS talking at parade rest.

[@walkerblaney1845]

I spotted that parade rest thing, too. I’m thinking, that can’t be right! RM3 1994-1998

[@davidlucasmachado2831]

Love the music !! Groovy

[@Schiff1926]

I am not sure what is worse...a "Commo" touching equipment & asking about the 'Broadcast' missing numbers...or the gawdawful music!

[@gregderozier3846]

Would be interesting to get into the NSA platform operations.

[@davehake855]

Dang, I thought that was my ole gal the Indy! Saw the patch on the steward serving coffee. I was QM3 on her in 72-73'.

[@stevephilips1175]

I was COMMO, Afloat for a VP Squadron (with VPU Attached) in 1975. Nothing like the this video

[@Schiff1926]

I was in the Navy in '74 and I agree, too funny.

[@TheSpritz0]

How was it in 1974 in the Navy? A lot of friction between guys who served and those who were newbies I bet!!! I served many years later...

[@graystoke8229]

The COMMO on the destroyer asking individual sailors about the status of broadcast is bypassing the chain-of-command. Those questions must be directed to Communications Watch Officer (CWO), as it's his responsibilty to ensure smooth operations in radio central.

[@ricmon7964]

USS CONSTELLATION CVA 64 77-78 razor blades now

[@joygomez9772]

I was on the Connie too made one West pack on her attached to v165 and I was a cook

[@bonzo874]

you would have thought radio officers would know how to spell receiver !!!! at 6 :30

[@CompetitiveAudio]

bonzo874 FUNNY...Good catch.

[@adkforever6997]

"I" before "E", accept after "C"---even at sea. ;)

[@Schiff1926]

OMG, the haircuts were terrible and the uniforms on the carrier looked like crap...when the carrier rang "six bongs" for the admiral it sounded like the dude picked up his coffee cup and hit it with a pencil.

[@jameskaras4345]

the same nowadays ,more modern i say. i was 5 years old in 74

[@nosaltadded2530]

Dolphin breach at 18:06.

[@TheRdeanpeek]

hull number 34 at 1:47 seconds USS Biddle CG-34 ...(The Hardcharger)...steered many a course on her I did...1977-1982...

[@xcreeseseater38]

What is the guy doing at 12:18-12.24 sending signal to someone onboard

[@sgs1262]

He's a signal man I watch them do it all the time telling their buddy what to but them at the hotdog stand on the pier

[@aaaht3810]

We would have passed the word "CARDIVSIX Arriving" not "COMCARDIVSIX Arriving" when the admiral came aboard.

[@modtwentyeight]

Looks like Zumwalt's Navy. What a disgrace.

[@billhuber2964]

If the Russians wanted to attack us "issue would be in doubt" for us.

[@patmcdonald766]

This is what I did in 1975 and 1976 P3 and tactical support of P3's and did crypto like the ensign. I brought crypto and set gear for talking to planes. Set Frequencies and listened to 36 radio receivers. Handled all Test Check PRE FLIGHTS with all P3 on Diego Garcia.

[@josephjannuzzi1711]

Ten-hut was never the command, it's A-Ten-shun.

[@josephjannuzzi1711]

Weird era of the Navy, Zumwalt haircuts and a weird mix of work uniforms, dungarees and utilities, half the sailors are wearing a combination of rating marks from one on the other, really weird.

[@toastnjam7384]

I know. I left the Navy 1973 which was when they change the enlisted dress and work uniforms. The new sailors coming out of boot camp/schools had the new uni's so it was a mix. I thought the new uni's look awful.

[@ratbazturd1843]

They started testing them out in 1971. I was at GLNTC for EM P and then A school back then. I didn't get one. I have a pic of me, though, wearing a short sleeve version of those godawful pull-over shirts sometime in summer 1973. I don't recall the circumstances under which I acquired that set, but the visual proof is there, can't deny it!

[@raybin6873]

The Navy looked like it was lotta fun back then... 😆

[@PeteMcCorvey]

For real it's too bureaucratic now.

[@johnnybravo1022]

5 ships under my belt, 1 as LPO, 2 as LCPO. We all know who runs the radio shack. We train those junior officer's, just enough knowledge to be dangerous! Guess my skippers didn't trust the JO's with the crypto as I was always the CMS custodian after I made Chief! RMCS SW USN RET.

[@davenelms68]

Radioman USS Vesole DD 878,,,,1972.

[@dace938]

INT QRK

[@davenelms68]

@@dace938 5 by 5 Dave

[@dace938]

@@davenelms68 Roger That !. Thanks ! (me: RM3, USS Mt Whitney - '73-77

[@NickPeters-ug7vk]

The crew looked pissed off ... perhaps being swacked in vietnam had something to do with it ... !!!!

[@zawir_usaodpowiadausa3354]

That funny after these wars, these guys were to some extend antiwar :)) These was 70s...

[@jameskaras4345]

RU 2 - 34

[@landtuna3469]

3 years on a DD mid-60's leaving as an RM2. This is a laugh. Our Chief's kept the Comm officer out of the radio shack. Only time I remember one entering was to tell us JFK had been shot. Otherwise they were useless.

[@djackmanson]

12:15 I wonder how much vodka is hidden inside that melon

[@ratbazturd1843]

I mailed myself a bottle of vodka back to the ship during a shore leave in Hong Kong. That was sometime in December 1972. USS Enterprise, WestPac 72=73

[@ratbazturd1843]

1970=1974 USS Long Beach, USS Camden, USS Enterprise. EMFN and EM3 Ball caps all the time. Pretty sure the weenies directing the film told the crew to wear "those little white hats" and also told the ensigns to walk around bothering, I mean, interacting with the crew. That was not the department officer's job; that was for the 1st Class or the Chief. Don't diss too much on the personnel here, maybe there was a hawt babe onn the film crew and they did it just cuz she asked them to, LOL! Also, Daddy Zumwalt was in charge of the Navy back then and he was progressive af, and I signed up at just the right time. In a way it was like relaxed grooming codes, not quite, but close to it. Hence the wide array of facial grooming. I wonder if some of the rebellion/backlash of the 60's against the establishment seeped into all ranks of the USN, and as long as the work was done and nobody eff'ed up, and nobody was blatantly unconforming, maybe middle management didn't rag on us. At least on my ship. And of course the officers didn't deign to notice us enlisted.

[@josephjannuzzi1711]

When I was in, the Radiomen were all drunks and druggies.

[@dace938]

That was me ! RM3 Mount Whitney 73-77. Smokin' it in Trans one.

[@TheSpritz0]

Not too much haircut/facial hair standards back then I see!!

[@pitsnipe5559]

Zumwalt era. Need I say more.

[@jameskaras4345]

zulu msg

[@rainysunday6186]

This is crap. All the Commo does is bridge watches. All he knows about comms is what the chiefs tell him and what he reads out of NTP3 Officers never, IMi, never stand CWO watches. They sit in they’re office. Petty officers stand the watches. I was radioman on two different ships - USS GUADALCANAL 75-78 (amphib navy) and USS CARL VINSON 86-89 never did a officer come into communications but to walkthrough.

[@rainysunday6186]

Don’t care. It is still a lie

[@rainysunday6186]

What does any kind of experience have to do with the truth.. . .. . Evidently you have neither served on a ship or in a communication shack or you wouldn’t be making stupid comments

[@zawir_usaodpowiadausa3354]

Hello. I'm ham radio op. Did you ever copied CW broadcasts at your times on board? Or everything was RATT etc?

[@jerrywilliams986]

Not crap at all. This was filmed in 1973 in Norfolk. How do I know? I was the technical advisor for this film. My background? Communications Officer USS EPPERSON DD-719, 2 WESTPAC CRUISES 1968 AND 1969. DESRON 8 Staff Communications Officer 1970. NCU LONDON Communications Operations Officer 1971-1974. COMNAVCOMM wanted a film to entice NROTC and NAVOCS grads to try for shipboard comms billets. You weren't on a small combatant so don't generalize. Others have correctly pointed out this was "Zumwalt Time". Officers certainly did stand CWO watches, mostly on major staffs. I did at CINCUSNAVEUR. I was selected navy wide for the TA job. I get a kick out of seeing this masterpiece now; times were what they were - I still have fond memories of my sideburns.

[@rapman5363]

@@jerrywilliams986 You tell him Jerry!!

[@KG84C]

Combine transmitter AN/URT-24 with receiver R-1051/URR, what do you get - transceiver AN/WRC-1 !

[@landtuna3469]

We had a WRC-2. Never used it that I recall.