McFaul (DDG 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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Xraditions of Commissioning The Commissioning Cer- emony signifies the ac- ceptance of a ship for ser- vice and entry into the ac- tive fleet of the United States Navy. At the moment of the breaking of the Commission- ing pennant, USSMcFAUL (DDG 74) becomes a proud ship of the line. The Com- manding Officer, together with the ship ' s officers and crew, then accepts the du- ties and responsibilities of making and keeping her ready for any service re- quired by our nation, in peace or war. The Commissioning Ceremony has been a tradition of all navies for centuries. In the early penods of our nation ' s history, no e.xact procedure for the Commissioning Ceremony was prescribed. Thus, a ship ' s date of commissioning was recorded as any one of a number of significant days — when the colors were first raised, when officials and crew first reported on board, when the first log entry was made, or when the ship first put to sea. Throughout the years, however, one visible manifestation of the commissioned ship has remained constant — the commissioning pennant. For cen- turies, it has been the unique symbol of the man-of-war. Today, it IS fiown as the distinctive mark of a ship m commis- sion. The origin of the com- missioning pennant, like many of our traditions, can be traced to the Royal Navy. After whipping an adversary, the British Ad- miral Wilham Blake hoisted a long, narrow commission- ing pennant in remem- brance of the original horsewhip as its distinc- tive symbol of a man-of- war. It is a tradition adopted by many world navies. The modem U.S. Navy commissioning pennant is blue at the hoist with a union of seven white stars, and a horizontal red and white stripe at the fly. In the days of old, when sails carried our ships across the seas, a ship fired her guns in salute, rendering herself power- less for the duration of the ren- dition of honors. This custom lives on today. Gun salutes are fired today to render honors on Washington ' s Bir thday, Memo- rial Day, Independence Day and to honor the President of the United States and heads of for- eign states. Gun salutes are also rendered for high ranking naval officers. Salutes today are fired at intervals of five seconds, and always in odd numbers. The reasons behind the an- cient custom of odd numbers is supersti- tious in nature. It was believed to be a ominous occurrence to fire an even num- ber of guns for a living person. The actual number of guns used in the salute is in- dicative of the mark of respect we hold for the individual the salute is for. Setting the first watch is also a tradition of old. TTie Captain, upon assum- 0 ' - ' t ' Members of a ship bringing her lo hie ing command, orders the first watch to be set. In respect to tradition, it is customary to have all or part of the first watch of the new log book entered in rhyme. How and when entering the first log in rhyme began has long been forgotten, but custom has sanctioned it for many years. Another custom that follows setting the first watch is a presentation of silver service or other gifts. One such giii, pass- ing the long glass, has evolved through the ages and dates far back into American and European history. The long glass IS a telescope that is carried by the Officer of the Deck at the quarter deck. In the early years of the Navy the long glass was used to search the horizon for those who might threaten our sovereignty. This custom holds special meaning for those who participate in the ceremony today, as the long ylass IS pjssed to the first Officer of the Deck on USSMcFAUL. Finally, when all customs and traditions are carried out, the ceremony will come full circle as the crew of McFAUL board their ship to Man the Rails and bring her to lifer

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ommissioning V eremony Irrogram April 25, 1998 Announcement of Platform Guests Honors to the Principal Speaker Admiral ' s March 19 Gun Salute Parade the Colors National Anthem Invocation Remarks from Distinguished Platform Guests Principal Speaker ' s Address Breaking of Commissioning Pennant Assuming Command Setting of the First Watch Passing the Long Glass Manning the Ship and Bringing Her to Life Mrs. Marcia Coats Reporting for Duty Commanding Officer ' s Remarks CDR Bernard L. Jackson, USN Benediction Departure of Platform Guests

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Ship s Crest Shield: Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally used by the Navy. Neptune, god of the sea, embodies maritime prowess and swift mobiliza- tion. The waves suggest a coastline and underscore Chief Petty Officer McFaul ' s insertion from the sea by rubber raiding craft to block General Noriega ' s escape from Panama. Crest: The cross commemorates the Navy Cross awarded posthumously to Platoon Chief Donald L. McFaul for extraordinary heroism in action un- der fire, saving his teammate ' s life. McFaul was mortally wounded by enemy fire. The octagon shape symbolizes the Aegis Combat System and USS McFAUL ' s modem multi-mission warfare operations with quick deci- sive acdon. The colors and quarterly division are adapted from the Pana- manian flag and represent Operation JUST CAUSE in the Republic of Panama. The four sections also al- lude to SEAL Team FOUR, Chief McFaul ' s SEAL Team. The laurel represents achievement and honor; the palm, which is indig- enous to tropical regions, alludes to Panama and also symbolizes victory. Supporters: The Naval sword rep- resents USS McFAUL and the tri- dent, adapted from the Naval Special Warfare insignia, highlights Chief McFaul ' s SEAL service. Aegis: Shield of the Fleet Aegis is the name identified with the weapons system of the CG 47 and DDG 51 class ships. The name is rich in classic symbolism of authority and protection, and is most apt for the U. S. Navy ' s ability to de- fend its battle groups. The word Aegis comes from clas- sic Greek mythology. It was the im- penetrable shield which protected the principal gods. The goddess Athena lent the shield to Perseus to battle the dreaded Medusa. A Gorgon with steely scales and snakes for hair, Medusa was so fiight- ening to behold that those who viewed her directly were turned to stone. Perseus slew Medusa by watch- ing her reflection in the shield ' s pol- ished surface. Forever after, the shield was depicted adorned with four snakes representing fear, flight, force, and pursuit.