This is going to be one crazy question but I am an English major and as part of my major work I have to write a story. My story is centered around the Navy and in particular one of the people that train new recruits at Great Lakes. In my story she holds a rank of Luitennant as it is a fairly generalised position and seems to cover a range of pay grades etc. I haven't worried about pay grades and specific positions, titles etc as I don't want the story overly factual and bogged down in military jargon.
So my question is, the instructors in charge of the groups of civillians that go through the training factility, would they likely be officers holding a rank of Luitennant or would they be more likely to be part of the general sailor population? God I hope I have that right.
Would a person undergoing training address their officer in charge by their rank? IE Luitennant Surname?
Many a person has told me to watch An Officer and a Gentlemen and I have many times but the person in charge of the group going through is a Marine Seargent and is addressed accordingly - Seargent Foley. So does it work the same way for the navy as asked in my question above.
Any help or advice would be appreciated. According to my teacher I have a chance to take this story a long way provided I keep my facts correct. I know this sight has been full of useful information and I really hope someone can help me with my questions.
Alaarakk
Replies
You're an English major????
I'd advise you to buy a dictionary. The word is Lieutenant.
advise you watch the rest of the series of vids at: http://www.navydads.com/forum/topics/return-to-bootcamp
you can see what bootcamp is like
Ahhh this is perfect, thankyou!!! The video link was most useful and given my main characters age and length in service, the rank of Petty officer is far better.
PS I am in Australia so a navy recruiter is out of the question but thank you for the suggestion.
In An Officer and a Gentlemen you are seeing Officer Candidate school not enlisted recruits. An officer with the rank of Lieutenant would most likley be in charge of the Chiefs and Petty Officers training the recruits. In other words the Lieutenant would have limited direct contact with recruits. In any case a new recruit word address any officer a Sir or Ma'am. Lieutenant surname is also correct, but with a new recruit it would most likley say yes Lieutenant or no Lieutenant. Perhaps there is a Navy Recruiter in you town that could help you?
instructors as addressed as Petty Officer or Chief Petty Officer : check the vid: http://www.navydads.com/video/return-to-bootcamp-part-1