I Don't Know Whether to Laugh or Cry....

[Flash]

With all due respect to your service, NO you have never seen an MID with silver dolphins earned on a two week cruise

NEVER

Either they bought them, and decided to wear (an idiot move) or you are mistaken and have seen a MID wearing a PATROL PIN that they received by completing a sumer cruise on an SSBN on patrol

There were a few guys in my unit who got them and I knew plenty in flight school that got them on an NROTC cruise.

I think they have since changed the rules so that it does not happen anymore. Something about the enlisted sub guys not liking it for some strange reason.

 

[Scoob]

The abbreviated PQS (no watchstanding, reduced torpedo, sonar, and radio section) that allowed MIDN to qualify was eliminated in '97.

In case you're wondering how I know this, it's because I did it in the last summer it was still authorized. And yes, I wear them.





All you DINQ motherfuckers can suck my nuts!!!

 

[PropAddict]

I did a MIDN cruise on a Boomer. We were underway for 26 days. I got so bored, I started qualifying to stand watches. Mostly, I was just trying to stay busy and maybe help out the poor guys on Port and STBD watches. After about a week, it was suggested that I try to earn some dolphins. I still have my PQS with all the sign offs. . .except the final review board. No time to sked it for me.

So yeah, I can see how MIDS can earn dolphins on cruise. And they can wear them, too. Now those patrol pins? Meh. . .seems to me that to qualify you ought to have to do something other than sleep 16 hours a day and eat all the ice cream in the galley.

 

[Logico]

Although this "intel pin" thing surprises me, I can't really see anyone equating it with a SWO pin or a pilot's wings.

The 1630 PQP/AQD/PQS (whatever) only applies to recent intel graduates (the most advanced are JG's). Will the pin be "grandfathered" to those who don't have to do it?

 

[Scoob]

Although this "intel pin" thing surprises me, I can't really see anyone equating it with a SWO pin or a pilot's wings.

Tell that to the Air Force.

Better yet, tell that to anyone not in the Air Force serving in a Joint Command trying to sort out the pilots/aircrew from the space douches.

 

[Sky-Pig]

WTF?!

As a proud wearer of silver dolphins, and one who will join the training pipeline in Oct to EARN Naval Aviator wings, I'm appalled.....

We might as well start handing out "bling" to each recruit as he/she shows up to their first ship/command/crew and to each brand new butter bar as he/she receives their designator...

PQS are not equal to warfare quals. PQS are in-rate specific or general minimums for different quals. They DO NOT mean you are a recognized "specialist" in the United States Navy.

IMO

We already do hand out "bling" to everyone when they enter the military...we simple choose to call it a National Defense Service ribbon.:icon_wink

As a 13 year NFO heading to off to greener (hopefully) pastures in the IW world, I'm sure I'll be diving right into this sort of stuff.

But it doesn't bother me. And I don't see any reason not to create a pin for each specialty...notice I'm not using the word "warfare" in conjunction with every community. I've always hated running into someone wearing khakis and having no clue what they were..."is that dude PAO, FAO, IP, IW, Intel or waiting to class up for flight school?"

It's also easy to rail about the self-esteem culture...but it does matter. Everyone in the Navy is a volunteer...and would like something to point to that says "this is what I do in the service". They all do have areas they specialize in...let them wear a pin to reflect and enjoy their own, internal Esprit d'corps. It won't suddenly turn them into URLs with weapons release authority, so no worries.

And since I'm heading off to IW land, I feel the need to make this plug...utterly self-serving, of course. Like it or not, cyber-warfare is a warfare area with a specialized skill set. If you doubt that it matters, try mission planning for a strike these day in a SIPRNET-denied (and not due to NMCI buffoonery) environment.

Cheers.

 

[Flash]

I've always hated running into someone wearing khakis and having no clue what they were..."is that dude PAO, FAO, IP, IW, Intel or waiting to class up for flight school?"

Why not just ask?

It's also easy to rail about the self-esteem culture...but it does matter. Everyone in the Navy is a volunteer...and would like something to point to that says "this is what I do in the service". They all do have areas they specialize in...let them wear a pin to reflect and enjoy their own, internal Esprit d'corps. It won't suddenly turn them into URLs with weapons release authority, so no worries.

The Marines seem to have plenty of esprit de corps and they fewer pins than anyone. Not only that, where is the standard going to come from? Intel and IW folks do different intial tours, except for the schools, and there is little standardization in their experience. At least there is a standard with flight school.

And since I'm heading off to IW land, I feel the need to make this plug...utterly self-serving, of course. Like it or not, cyber-warfare is a warfare area with a specialized skill set. If you doubt that it matters, try mission planning for a strike these day in a SIPRNET-denied (and not due to NMCI buffoonery) environment.

Try conducting a strike without fuel of bombs, the supply guys do that for you. How about the countless other things necessary? Should everyone get a pin? And believe it or not, a strike could get planned without SIPR if necessary. It would not be as pretty, but it could be done.

And it still bothers me to hear IW types say that their specialty is 'warfare'. Think of it more as information 'managment'. When the worst injury you could sustain is carpal tunnel syndrome, it ain't 'warfare', no matter how much kool aid you drink.

Cheers.

Cheers!

 

[Mumbles]

This idea for a pin was submitted by a submarine bubba the other day. It should be a harpoon with a big shaft and speartip at the head...and the rope should be coiled in a set of balls towards the back.....AND it HAS to be twice the size of URL warfare pins in keeping with the penis envy theme. "We (1630s) will shaft you with our information dominance!"