by Justin Kessen | Jan 29, 2023 | Crows Nest
Ever wonder what a Bluenose is? If you’ve spent time on a warship, you’ve seen Plankowners, Shellbacks, members of the Order of the Ditch and the Safari to Suez, maybe even a couple members of the Order of Magellan. Some people go through their entire...
by Justin Kessen | Apr 2, 2019 | Crows Nest
The Navy’s First Submarine Submarines are one of the biggest parts of any country’s defensive doctrine. In the 21st century, this is truer than ever. We rely on Ohio-class SSBNs to ensure that any attack against the US is met with the consequence of...
by Justin Kessen | Sep 15, 2017 | Crows Nest
Five Famous US Navy Veterans The US Navy has had millions of sailors cross its brow in the past 242 years. US Navy veterans have appeared in politics, film, theater, they’ve become artists, writers, comedians, and even UFC fighters. People often, however,...
by Justin Kessen | Aug 31, 2017 | Crows Nest
Sailors love to brag about their longest underway. One of the things we love to brag about is the longest underway we’ve ever had, usually measured in beer days. For the uninitiated, a beer day is granted on a ship underway for more than 45 days consecutively....
by Justin Kessen | Aug 26, 2017 | Crows Nest
Berthings are our home away from home. When up to a hundred sailors are cramped together in a sleeping space, archetypes quickly form. When you’ve got some sea time under your belt, you can begin to identify the trouble children before they become trouble...
by Justin Kessen | Aug 26, 2017 | Crows Nest
Religion in the military is a touchy issue. Americans are proud of the separation of church and state. Unfortunately, we haven’t always gotten it right. Beliefs run deep, and it’s often difficult to separate our beliefs from our legislation. The military,...
by Justin Kessen | Aug 24, 2017 | Crows Nest
Chiefs are the saltiest sailors in the Navy. This reputation is well-earned. Being that it takes an average of 13 years to make Chief, they’re certainly in the upper echelons when it comes to raw experience. Many sailors hit their 13-year mark. Some...
by Justin Kessen | Jul 1, 2017 | Crows Nest
Where did the Jolly Roger come from? The flag known as the Jolly Roger is immediately identifiable. Found on bottles of dangerous chemicals, the meaning is always clear: Danger or death is coming your way. So when did a skull and crossbones become an international...
by Justin Kessen | Jun 30, 2017 | Crows Nest
Is ISIS the greatest threat America has ever faced? By now, everybody has heard of ISIS. They’re on the news every week, taking responsibility for the newest terror attack somewhere in the world. It’s an organization founded upon hate and malice upon all...
by Justin Kessen | May 26, 2017 | Crows Nest
What’s the right way to celebrate Memorial Day? Only in recent history have people begun to understand the true meaning of Memorial Day. Once seen as a catch-all celebration of men and women in uniform, the rise of social media and internet resources has brought...
