“Old Tar” Impressed with New Leaders
Commander Master Chief Mark Davidson becomes the U.S. Navy's “Old Tar,” symbolic of the senior Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. The award was presented by Surface navy Association executive director, Capt. Bill Erickson, USN (Ret.), at the USS Constitution in Boston. For Master Chief Mark Davidson, becoming the “Old Tar” doesn’t mean he’s old, it signifies he’s a seasoned and experienced Surface Warrior, just like the USS Constitution. Davidson, the command master chief at Navy Recruiting District St. Louis, recently was presented with the “Old Tar” award from the Surface Navy Association (SNA), signifying that he has the earliest qualification date as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) among all Sailors in the U.S.
Old Salt Designation Passes to CNO
The ”Old Salt” designation, honoring the Surface Warfare Officer serving on active duty with the earliest Officer of the Deck, Fleet, Qualification, has passed from Vice Adm. Rod Rempt to Adm. Mike Mullen at a May 21st ceremony at Annapolis, Md. “We rely on those who have gone before us to pass down our lore, customs and tradition,” said Vice Adm. Kevin Green, U.S. Navy (Retired), president of the Surface Navy Association. “Some of us have been around a long time, and in the Navy, we have an expression for an experienced and knowledgeable mariner. “The ‘Old Salt’ award originated in 1988, when the Surface Navy Association wanted to honor the Surface Warfare Officer possessing the coveted qualification…
