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Sailor's Challenge Trivia Quiz

Although I was a Navy careerist, I knew the answers to these questions within a very short time after my initial entry. There are facts here that every sailor should know.

A multiple-choice quiz by chiefdj. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
chiefdj

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
179,076

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1494

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the difference between the term "rate" and the term "rating" as it applies to U.S. Navy enlisted personnel? Hint

"Rate" indicates echelon status; "Rating" is a mark on a performance evaluation

"Rate" indicates pay grade, "Rating" indicates technical specialty

"Rate" is the hourly wage; "Rating" indicates the person is a petty officer

"Rate" indicates technical specialty; "Rating" indicates pay grade

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Question 2 of 10

2. What does it mean when a career sailor puts on "the hat"? Hint

He/she attends a formal social function in a dress uniform

He/she is on his/her way outside and must be covered

He/she is singled out during a personnel inspection

He/she is advanced to Chief Petty Officer

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Question 3 of 10

3. Is it improper to render a salute to a civilian upon first time introduction?

Yes

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Question 4 of 10

4. If a sailor tells you that he/she "did the ditch", to what is he/she referring? Hint

He/she was aboard a U. S. Navy ship as it transited the Suez Canal

He/she crossed the equator

He/she was assigned to dig ditches

He/she cross the International Date Line

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Question 5 of 10

5. What does it tell you about a sailor in a dress blue uniform with a gold rating badge and gold service stripes? Hint

That the sailor wanted to "dress up" his dress uniform

That the sailor has served on sea duty

That the sailor is assigned to duty at an embassy

That the sailor has completed 12 consecutive years with good conduct

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Question 6 of 10

6. Crossing the equator and successfully completing the initiation related to that event (becoming a Shellback)is so significant that it becomes part of a sailor's permanent service record.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. It is not necessary to salute a commissioned officer from a foreign country.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the proper procedure to follow when boarding a U. S. Naval vessel while you are in uniform? Hint

Before reaching the gangway, salute the ensign, then salute the Officer of the Deck

Salute the Officer of the Deck, then turn and salute the ensign

While still on the gangway, face the national ensign and salute; then turn to the Officer of the Deck, salute and request permission to come aboard

Request permission to come aboard, then salute the Officer of the Deck, then turn and salute the ensign

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Question 9 of 10

9. A commissioned naval officer holds the rank of Commander and is the Commanding Officer of a U. S. Naval vessel. How is he formally addressed? Hint

Commander

Captain

C.O.

Skipper

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Question 10 of 10

10. A sailor who has not yet attained pay grade E-4 is referred to by what term? Hint

Skylark

Mess Cook

Deck Hand

Striker

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the difference between the term "rate" and the term "rating" as it applies to U.S. Navy enlisted personnel?

Answer: "Rate" indicates pay grade, "Rating" indicates technical specialty

"Rate" in the Navy is the same thing as "Rank" in any other branch of the military, which is pay grade. The term "Rating" takes it a step farther to designate a sailor's technical specialty. However, the term "rate" has become a collective term meaning both pay grade and specialty.

2. What does it mean when a career sailor puts on "the hat"?

Answer: He/she is advanced to Chief Petty Officer

The most significant advancement for a career sailor is to be advanced to Chief Petty Officer. Not only is there more responsibility and more money, but an actual change in uniform. Sailors in pay grades lower than Chief Petty Officer normally wear the traditional "white hat" or "Dixie Cup". Chief Petty Officers wear the combination cap, very similar to that of a commissioned officer. Ergo, "putting on the hat" means becoming a Chief.

3. Is it improper to render a salute to a civilian upon first time introduction?

Answer: No

A salute is appropriate but not compulsory. A handshake will suffice if one is not comfortable rendering a salute.

4. If a sailor tells you that he/she "did the ditch", to what is he/she referring?

Answer: He/she was aboard a U. S. Navy ship as it transited the Suez Canal

A sailor who "did the ditch" was onboard a U. S. Navy (or US Coast Guard) ship as it transited the Suez Canal. Sailors who experience this receive a large certificate suitable for framing along with a wallet size card. Both documents bear the heading, "Suez Safari".

5. What does it tell you about a sailor in a dress blue uniform with a gold rating badge and gold service stripes?

Answer: That the sailor has completed 12 consecutive years with good conduct

When a sailor completes 12 years on active duty and has had no conduct infractions, he/she is entitled to wear a gold rating badge and gold service stripes on his/her dress blue uniforms.

6. Crossing the equator and successfully completing the initiation related to that event (becoming a Shellback)is so significant that it becomes part of a sailor's permanent service record.

Answer: True

The permanent entry is made so that the sailor (Shellback) does not have to be initiated more than once. In fact, it makes him/her eligible to become a part of the initiation process.

7. It is not necessary to salute a commissioned officer from a foreign country.

Answer: False

All commissioned officers from all allied countries around the world should be saluted. Hint: Commissioned officers always wear gold bands of some sort on their headgear.

8. What is the proper procedure to follow when boarding a U. S. Naval vessel while you are in uniform?

Answer: While still on the gangway, face the national ensign and salute; then turn to the Officer of the Deck, salute and request permission to come aboard

In port, the ensign is flown from the fantail. Even if it cannot be seen, face in that direction and salute to show respect for the colors. The Officer of the Deck represents the Commanding Officer of the ship, so he/she should be saluted while verbally requesting to come aboard the ship. When departing, a request is made for permission to leave the ship, then a salute is rendered in the direction of the national ensign prior to continuing down the gangway.
Editor's Note: By "ensign", the author is not referring to the officer grade O-1. In this case, ensign refers to the national flag.

9. A commissioned naval officer holds the rank of Commander and is the Commanding Officer of a U. S. Naval vessel. How is he formally addressed?

Answer: Captain

Regardless of actual rank, a commissioned officer who is assigned as the Commanding Officer of a U. S. naval vessel is addressed as "Captain".

10. A sailor who has not yet attained pay grade E-4 is referred to by what term?

Answer: Striker

A sailor in pay grade E-4 has already chosen a technical specialty. Sailors in pay grades E-1 to E-3 are considered to be "striking" for a particular specialty.

Source: Author chiefdj

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Stillman before going online.
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