# Crew's quarters in today's (US) Navy **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857 "2020-04-29T23:41:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/41 "2020-05-04T14:58:56Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > One would colloquially refer to a submarine as a… “boat” no? But then aviators have a nasty habit of referring to carriers as “boats,” too, so I guess it’s a wash. Stupid brown shoes… Seabees call them boats just to annoy the squids. A standard joke for a Bee was to tell people that he served on an LGT (Large Green Truck). ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/42 "2020-05-04T17:24:57Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > [Perhaps this will help?](https://ibb.co/WDTTt2t) That’s some mighty fine PowerPoint Rangerin’ there, **Bear**! [sub]Please don’t kill me. I’ve done my Staff time. I [know](https://imgur.com/W1WKhdY) what you’re going through and I mean it in brotherly jest![/sub] 😃 > [@KarlGauss](#): > > Here’s a [pic showing some crew berths](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/QLQYFQUIGII6VAG72JFTLJLIVY.jpg&w=1440) on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. > (btw, crew’s or crews’?) What are those ‘ports’ labelled “ **EEBD** ” to the right of the technician’s facemask and pressure reservoir? Better view [here](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/US_Navy_101018-N-0711P-005_Berthing_spaces_aboard_the_aircraft_carrier_USS_Theodore_Roosevelt_%28CVN_71%29_are_being_upgraded_to_provide_Sailors_a_high.jpg). Is that some sort of “stuff port” where jam in your small pocket stuff for safe keeping? Tripler Yeah, I’ve [done my time.](https://imgur.com/kKXc6aV) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/43 "2020-05-04T17:40:19Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > What are those ‘ports’ labelled “ **EEBD** ” to the right of the technician’s facemask and pressure reservoir? Better view [here](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/US_Navy_101018-N-0711P-005_Berthing_spaces_aboard_the_aircraft_carrier_USS_Theodore_Roosevelt_%28CVN_71%29_are_being_upgraded_to_provide_Sailors_a_high.jpg). Is that some sort of “stuff port” where jam in your small pocket stuff for safe keeping? > > Tripler > Yeah, I’ve [done my time.](https://imgur.com/kKXc6aV) Storage for Emergency Escape Breathing Device. They use to be a much clunkier setup. Another reason why I didn’t like the middle bunks. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/44 "2020-05-05T19:49:55Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Brings back old memories. 🙂 Dug some old waste tshirts out of one of mrAru’s’ seabags, still smelled of sub funk … _sigh_ Is it me or are they now enlisting 12 year olds? I swear they barely look old enough to be out after 2100. Not too sure of anything other than I am glad they got rid of blueberry … ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/45 "2020-05-06T14:17:17Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Is it me or are they now enlisting 12 year olds? You know you’re getting old when you notice how young the cops are. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/46 "2020-05-06T14:35:11Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > The cabin in the first pic looks rather ‘lived in’. Maybe I’ve watched too many movies set in boot camps, but I thought quarters had to be tidy, if not immaculate. I’ll echo what Michael said; the attention paid to things like drill and quarter cleanliness is not always the same. Soldiers and sailors on training courses, like boot camp but also a lot of other courses, are often tightly disciplined. Experienced, professional soldiers and sailors just going their jobs are generally left alone if there’s no reason to make a fuss. If that warship is crewed by experienced sailors on an actual deployment, no one is going to give them shit for the quarters being lived in unless there’s an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/47 "2020-05-06T14:39:58Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’ll echo what Michael said; the attention paid to things like drill and quarter cleanliness is not always the same. Soldiers and sailors on training courses, like boot camp but also a lot of other courses, are often tightly disciplined. Experienced, professional soldiers and sailors just going their jobs are generally left alone if there’s no reason to make a fuss. If that warship is crewed by experienced sailors on an actual deployment, no one is going to give them shit for the quarters being lived in unless there’s an issue. I read a saying: “No combat-ready unit ever passed inspection; no inspection-ready unit ever passed combat” ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/48 "2020-05-06T17:51:07Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’ll echo what Michael said; the attention paid to things like drill and quarter cleanliness is not always the same. Soldiers and sailors on training courses, like boot camp but also a lot of other courses, are often tightly disciplined. Aside from bootcamp, what courses are known for tight discipline? Are there courses where discipline is even tighter than bootcamp? ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/49 "2020-06-09T16:17:20Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Aside from bootcamp, what courses are known for tight discipline? Are there courses where discipline is even tighter than bootcamp? First off, note that basic training (aka boot camp) varies in intensity between the various branches, with [U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Training](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recruit_training#U.S._Marine_Corps) likely being the most intense. Regardless, there are several military courses where discipline is even tighter than any boot camp. Off the top of my head, some examples include: [ul][li][United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officer_Candidates_School_(United_States_Marine_Corps))[/li][li][Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEAL_selection_and_training#Basic_Underwater_Demolition/SEAL_(BUD/S)_Training_(24_weeks))[/li][li][SEAL Qualification Training (SQT)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEAL_selection_and_training#SEAL_Qualification_Training_(SQT)_(26_weeks))[/li][/ul] The key difference between boot camp and the examples I’ve listed is that, generally speaking, the instructors want everyone to successfully complete boot camp. That is generally not the case for these other courses, in which the instructors are actively trying to screen people out. In BUD/S, this is taken a ludicrous extreme, in which a ship’s bell is carried along at all times with students actively being encouraged to ring the bell and quit the course. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/50 "2020-06-09T17:43:23Z")
Why did they stop using hammocks? I’ve never even been on any kind of ship, so pardon my ignorance, but I always thought hammocks would be ideal accommodations. They swing with the motion of the ship and can be stowed out of the way during working hours, saving precious space when you’re on duty. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/51 "2020-06-09T17:49:09Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Why did they stop using hammocks? I’ve never even been on any kind of ship, so pardon my ignorance, but I always thought hammocks would be ideal accommodations. They swing with the motion of the ship and can be stowed out of the way during working hours, saving precious space when you’re on duty. Actually dedicated triple high bunks are pretty efficient of space and give a little privacy at least. The space for hammocks wouldn’t be off much use anyway unless you had people sleeping in shops & offices. Sailors still need locker space and the most modern berthing seem to build a lot of that into the racks. (Bunks). ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/52 "2020-06-09T18:08:08Z")
I’d die of claustrophobia.😕 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/53 "2020-06-09T18:12:22Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I’d die of claustrophobia.😕 Well if you were in Engineering, they would work you so hard, you could sleep anywhere. I actually fell asleep on my feet a few times when I was on the Ranger. Funny thing is carriers like the Ranger were where they sent Submariners that could take the enclosed space anymore. I don’t remember the few of them I met complaining about the bunks. Maybe it was the idea of all that water overhead that caused them the problems instead. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/54 "2020-06-09T19:08:41Z")
> [@robby](#): > > First off, note that basic training (aka boot camp) varies in intensity between the various branches, with [U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Training](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recruit_training#U.S._Marine_Corps) likely being the most intense. > > Regardless, there are several military courses where discipline is even tighter than any boot camp. Off the top of my head, some examples include: > [ul][li][United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officer_Candidates_School_(United_States_Marine_Corps))[/li][li][Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEAL_selection_and_training#Basic_Underwater_Demolition/SEAL_(BUD/S)_Training_(24_weeks))[/li][li][SEAL Qualification Training (SQT)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEAL_selection_and_training#SEAL_Qualification_Training_(SQT)_(26_weeks))[/li][/ul] > > The key difference between boot camp and the examples I’ve listed is that, generally speaking, the instructors want everyone to successfully complete boot camp. That is generally not the case for these other courses, in which the instructors are actively trying to screen people out. > > In BUD/S, this is taken a ludicrous extreme, in which a ship’s bell is carried along at all times with students actively being encouraged to ring the bell and quit the course. Also [SERE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival,_Evasion,_Resistance_and_Escape) training. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/55 "2020-06-09T19:16:08Z")
> [@robby](#): > > First off, note that basic training (aka boot camp) varies in intensity between the various branches, with [U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Training](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recruit_training#U.S._Marine_Corps) likely being the most intense. > > Regardless, there are several military courses where discipline is even tighter than any boot camp. Off the top of my head, some examples include: > [ul][li][United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officer_Candidates_School_(United_States_Marine_Corps))[/li][li][Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEAL_selection_and_training#Basic_Underwater_Demolition/SEAL_(BUD/S)_Training_(24_weeks))[/li][li][SEAL Qualification Training (SQT)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEAL_selection_and_training#SEAL_Qualification_Training_(SQT)_(26_weeks))[/li][/ul] > > The key difference between boot camp and the examples I’ve listed is that, generally speaking, the instructors want everyone to successfully complete boot camp. That is generally not the case for these other courses, in which the instructors are actively trying to screen people out. > > In BUD/S, this is taken a ludicrous extreme, in which a ship’s bell is carried along at all times with students actively being encouraged to ring the bell and quit the course. USMC Scout/Sniper course is pretty hard core when it comes to discipline, too. I know a guy who got washed out on the next to last day, because he…fell asleep when he wasn’t supposed to. After being awake for who knows how long. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/56 "2020-06-10T02:04:37Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Those are steps. To climb to the top bunks. Those steps are amazing. To get into my top bunk I had to reach up, grab a couple of ventilation pipes, and then swing my feet up into the rack. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/57 "2020-06-10T02:07:11Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Depending on the vessel, the majority of crew do not often (or ever) get to go above deck to see the ocean. > [@spifflog](#): > > Certinly if you’re on a surface ship, you can go to the main deck and look at the ocean pretty much whenever you want, as look as you aren’t on watch or working. Even on a submarine I was able to go topside a couple of times during swim calls and walk around. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/58 "2020-06-10T02:09:01Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Even on a submarine I was able to go topside a couple of times during swim calls and walk around. “Steel beach”! ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/59 "2020-06-10T09:18:25Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Why did they stop using hammocks? I’ve never even been on any kind of ship, so pardon my ignorance, but I always thought hammocks would be ideal accommodations. They swing with the motion of the ship and can be stowed out of the way during working hours, saving precious space when you’re on duty. In the Royal Navy they stopped sometime in the 1950’s, HMS Belfast is a museum ship on the Thames (and a great site to visit) and they show the hammocks still slung as they were in 1939 I believe. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857/60 "2020-06-10T10:25:56Z")
[https://lovelyandgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG\_8444-1440x809.jpg](https://lovelyandgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_8444-1440x809.jpg) > [@](#): > > HMS Belfast’s crew was generally in the region of 700-950 strong. It depended on whether she was at war or just cruising. The Captain and officers had individual quarters but the rest of the crew slept in hammocks. These were positioned all over the ship – over tables where the sailors ate, over machinery and in corridors. Wherever there was a conceivable space there were black bars for hanging hammocks. It felt like they were crammed in wherever possible. Apparently, its British Naval tradition to sleep in a hammock; tying it up and learning to climb in is one of the first skills you are taught. They did say it makes for a good night’s sleep as each hammock sways in unison with the ship. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crews-quarters-in-todays-us-navy/852857.md?page=4)