 Editor in Chief Bill   | 04 Dec 2014 5:51 a.m. PST |
The following is a collection of former Navy rates (and one defunct officer rank) made mostly obsolete by advances in technology and occasionally by more modern stances on race, gender, and—at least in one case—child-labor norms… link |
| skinkmasterreturns | 04 Dec 2014 6:21 a.m. PST |
Thanks,that was quite interesting. |
| Chokidar | 04 Dec 2014 6:31 a.m. PST |
..and brings to mind another now defunct rank in the British Army, always held by a Royal Artillery subaltern OiC Apes (Officer in Charge Apes)- a post in the Gibraltar garrison said to have originated in the belief that if the Barbary Apes were ever to quit the Rock, British Rule would end.
The job passed into the civilian domain more or less at the time when Britain and Spain officially became bestest mates within the EU. |
Frederick  | 04 Dec 2014 7:02 a.m. PST |
My wife's great-uncle served in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I – his title was "Fitter" – from talking to him, tightening the wires on biplane fighters was a bit like tuning a piano |
| 79thPA | 04 Dec 2014 7:59 a.m. PST |
My uncle was a fireman (coal heaver) during the Korean War. |
| Old Contemptibles | 04 Dec 2014 8:13 a.m. PST |
Bill, Should this be cross posted to the Modern Naval Discussion board? The following are ratings that have been discontinued or merged to create a new rating,since about 1990. Aviation Storekeeper
Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics)
Aviation Structural Mechanic (Structures)
Aviation Support Equipment Technician (Electrical)
Aviation Support Equipment Technician (Hydraulics and Structure)
Aviation Support Equipment Technician (Mechanical)
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician
Aviation Fire Control Technician
Boiler Technician
Cryptologic Technician(Communications)
Cryptologic Technician (Administration)
Disbursing Clerk
Draftsman
Data Systems Technician
Dentalman
Electronic Warfare Technician
Journalist
Lithographer
Mess Management Specialist
Ocean Systems Technician
Postal Clerk
Personnelman
Photographers Mate
Radioman
Data Processing Tech link link |
| Landorl | 04 Dec 2014 9:37 a.m. PST |
I went into the US Air Force in 1986, and I could have applied for the tail gunner of a B52 slot… |
| Sundance | 04 Dec 2014 10:14 a.m. PST |
Powder monkey is one of my favorites and wasn't surprised to find it on the list. |
| Wizard Whateley | 04 Dec 2014 11:02 a.m. PST |
In the Coast Guard I was with a few Filipinos in boot camp during the late 70's. The had done away with 'steward', but they all wanted to become cooks (next best thing). One had been a lieutenant in the Philippines Coast Guard. |
| Cammy Jammy | 04 Dec 2014 1:40 p.m. PST |
Very Interesting. We should also do one for the Army. An old rate was lmg gunner. |
| 79thPA | 04 Dec 2014 2:17 p.m. PST |
@Landorl: yep, I looked at the AF in the early 80s and tail gunner was an option. |
