Boy, this one sure takes me back! Except, instead of temporary berthng, when I was in, we berthed with the Aviation Boatswain’s mates.
See, regulare Boatswain’s Mates (the “deck apes” of the OP) can take some pride of craftmanship in macrame, but when he’s not waving at an aircraft, your average ABM is the biggest drunken slob afloat.
So us Admin types are berthed with them. Although the ABW’s didn’t consider us to be total “faggots,” (that stereotype is awarded to the hospital corpsmen), they did see us a a bunk of pencil-neck pencil-pushers. So what I offer was learned firsthand, uphill.
The only advice can give the OP is the same advice he’s already heard: “use your crow” (the black eagle on your sleeve). Never, ever, take any shit from anyone you outrank. Never apologize to for giving a lawful order. And when you’re dealing with deck apes, you must always be prepared to come down on them like a ton of bricks. Unlike your rating, they are not gentlemen. However, they can still be very good men, if lead properly.
Don’t take the “you’re not in my chain of command” crap. The captain definitely is - and they know you can go up to the master at arms shack and get them on his list." (Also, never go around yelling “I’ll write your up! I’ll write you up!” You’ll sound like Barney Fife. Let that power always be an unspoken threat.)
The deck petty officers will back you up. They’ve got more to lose themselves if they come to some shithead’s rescue.
Trust me, righteously opening your lungs out on some maladjusted punk will be the most cherished memory of your service.
Wow, margin, are you a 98G? Or do they call it that anyomore? I was a 98G2LKP. I did my language classes(Korean) at the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, from Early September of 1974 to early July of 1975.
I was at Camp Humphries in Korea for thirteen months, from 1976 to 1977. Ah, the good old days of the Army Security Agency.
So… you outrank them, yes? Then what’s the problem?
Aren’t they supposed to follow your orders, lest you be held accountable for their failings? I’d say the good thing about rank here is that it doesn’t matter you’re short, or look like George Costanza. You’re the boss in this scenario.
The Problem is the USN, while not quite the “first name basis” that a service that shall remain unnamed is, is a little bit lax E-5 and below. Because were still “Junior sailors” even if we are noncomms.
These particular yokels just happen to be a bunch of lazy asses who could care less.