do you have to deal with heights in the Navy

[S McPhee]

Okay, I've posted my questions about heights in BMQ on another post and thought I would post one here to ask about life after BMQ.  Do Navel trades ever have to deal with heights (training, ships husbandry, etc).  If so, when and how often? 

Couldn't help but asking, I know I've been told to just get over it, but I would like to visualize what it would be like.  Any feedback on the topic is appreciated.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Err- define "heights".

The deck of a frigate to the waterline is about 20-30 feet.  It is possible at some point in your career you may have to jump that far, but if that happens, I seriously doubt that your fear of heights will be the first thing on your mind 

A serious answer to your question is probably in the form of several questions:

1)  Are you going to be a fire contol, radar, or naval weapons tech?  If so, you may spend significant portions of your day "aloft" fixing antennas or working on the CIWS (or so I have observed).  These activities can see you working anywhere from 50-170 feet above the water- well strapped in, I might add.

2)  If you are going to be a bosun, you could find yourself painting almost anywhere I have just described above in 1).

3)  Anyone on a Ship could have occasion to be required to climb the jumping ladder from a small boat to the deck of the ship.  That is about 25 feet straight up.  And usually everything is moving...

I know several Sea King Navigators who are terrified of heights, yet have no problem hanging out in the open door of the helicopter of being hoisted from great heights.  The "fear thing" seems situational...

The hard navy trades on the board may wish to add to or correct any of my statements above.

Cheers

 

[S McPhee]

Thanks Seakingtacco,

That's probably one of the best responses I received to date.  I am hoping to become a NES OP, so any trade specific feedback would be great as well.

 

[FSTO]

That pretty much covers it; although a Bosn will be suspended (in a boat) by a steel cable when launching. There is no hanging from the yardarms any-more. (Although there are times when the same OS is standing in front of the XO cap in hand getting punitive punishments that a good hanging would cure a few ills!)

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Would sleepin the top bunk (rack) in a stack of three bother you?  That is about 6 feet above the deck- and often, everything is moving :-X

 

[S McPhee]

hehe.... I think I may be able to deal with top bunk.  I also don't mind heights as much if there is water instead of land below, lol. 

 

[Melbatoast]

As a NESOP there's not much to deal with in the way of heights.  You do have to wear a harness out on the forecastle, as NESOPs are responsible for lowering and raising the guardrail there in any kind of weather or time of day.  The guardrail is lowered any time there is potential for the main gun to be fired, which is often.

The only Combat trade that would have to deal with heights on any sort of regular basis would be NAVCOMM.

 

[RowdyBowdy]

As a NESOP there's not much to deal with in the way of heights.  You do have to wear a harness out on the forecastle, as NESOPs are responsible for lowering and raising the guardrail there in any kind of weather or time of day.  The guardrail is lowered any time there is potential for the main gun to be fired, which is often.

The only Combat trade that would have to deal with heights on any sort of regular basis would be NAVCOMM.

What do we have to do that involves heights?

 

[who980]

What do we have to do that involves heights?

We (NavComms) have to climb the mast on a regular occurance.  I have been up the mast numerous amounts of times to rig the strong backs for Dressing Ship and Christmas Lights.  As well, if we lose a halyard on the flag deck we have to climb up and repair that.

Ryan