["2.4\t The Final Word - Together, We Set Sail The Armed Forces are truly a melting pot of diverse cultures and backgrounds. It does not matter where you come from as long as you are qualified, physically fit and mentally tough. Young boys and girls from different walks of life live together, train together and are groomed into fine officers. They learn much in their training years and also from society. Etiquettes, traditions and manners are acquired along the way and, in a short period of time, characters are built and personalities developed. Over the years, this becomes a way of life. This gives the officer an edge over the others. Adjusting to this persona and way of life takes time and effort. And while there is no handbook of rules to guide you through your marital journey with an Officer, the support comes in small measure from your equal half\u2019s course mates and their families, the community, the Unit family that your spouse belongs to and, of course, the handy ebook \u2018Welcome Aboard\u2019. But, at the end of the day, the onus to help the spouse adjust to a life which holds traditions, customs, rules and regulations in high regard, rests on the Officer\u2019s shoulders and he\/she has to take on the role of the first teacher, friend and confidante. It is not easy but one can begin by sharing an honest and correct picture of life in the Navy and what it entails. Learn to accept and respect the values and opinions held by each other. Share not just the privileges but also the limitations of being a naval spouse. In the long run, undoubtedly, the perks of a naval life are sure to outweigh the drawbacks associated with it. However, the implications of frequent transfers and possible instability associated with one\u2019s career must be openly discussed and clearly understood. The pressure to \u2018fit-in\u2019 for the spouse could be daunting at times. An assurance on the Officer\u2019s part that there is no need to compromise on values or to change in order to gain \u2018acceptability\u2019 in the fraternity would go a long way. Acceptability comes not by conforming to \u2018fit-in\u2019; it comes with a pleasant, positive, and friendly demeanour that is welcome anywhere one goes. In today\u2019s day and age, although social drinking is common, there are a few who are not too comfortable with this aspect in the Services and may possibly fret over it. So it makes sense for the Officer to be thoughtful and assure the spouse that even though alcoholic beverages are a part and parcel of our social lives, unlike in the civil street, it is rare to see an Officer getting drunk and misbehaving at a party. The success of a marriage depends on how honest you have been with your spouse-to-be vis-\u00e0-vis what you expect and what is expected of you. Adapting, working on resolving differences and sharing responsibilities together, right from home to kitchen management and maintaining a work-home balance could do wonders. Being ready to acquire a whole new approach and attitude towards life, while keeping our value systems intact is the key to a happy married life in the services. The Final Word - Together, We Set Sail 41","Change is the only constant and each one of us is evolving all the time. As a spouse who joins the naval family\u2014which is an amalgamation of different cultures and backgrounds\u2014one cannot remain untouched by change. Each one of us learns something new and something different from what we already know. To all the young Officers in white\u2014eligible, hooked, or engaged\u2014you are anything but ordinary. Your spouse is special too. Remember, \u2018you\u2019 are the first teacher and \u2018you\u2019 are the one to guide your spouse into your world. 42 The Final Word - Together, We Set Sail","SECTION III: KNOW YOUR NAVY","","I OPERATIONAL FORCES The Operational Forces of the Indian Navy are the spearhead of its offensive and defensive capability. They are the main reason for the Navy\u2019s existence. They mainly comprise ships, submarines and aircraft. COMMANDS The Navy has three Commands, each under the control of a Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief of the rank of Vice Admiral. These are Western Naval Command (HQ at Mumbai), Eastern Naval Command (HQ at Visakhapatnam), and Southern Naval Command (HQ at Kochi). The Western and the Eastern Naval Commands are operational commands and exercise control over operations in their respective Areas of Responsibility in the waters to the West and East of the Indian subcontinent. The Southern Naval Command is principally designated as the Training Command. Besides the three Naval Commands, the Tri-Services Command headquartered at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has a predominant naval component due to its maritime orientation. SURFACE FORCES The cutting edge of the Indian Navy is its two fleets of surface forces, namely the Western Fleet based at Mumbai and Karwar, and the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam. Aircraft carriers are the largest ships of the fleet. Besides the two fleets, there are other surface forces comprising smaller ships for offensive roles such as the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron based at Mumbai. Flotillas of smaller ships are also formed for local naval defence and other roles at a number of ports along the east and west coasts of India, such as Chennai, Kochi, Goa, Okha etc, and the island territories. SUBMARINE FORCES Undersea warfare is prosecuted through submarine forces, which are controlled by Commodore Controlling Submarines (COMCOS) based at Mumbai and Visakhapatnam. The Indian Navy operates both conventional and nuclear powered submarines. NAVAL AVIATION FORCES Naval Aviation forces comprise aircraft, manned and unmanned, and helicopters. These may be shore based or ship-borne. The aircraft carrier operates fighter aircraft and helicopters. All the large ships also operate helicopters. Naval aviation forces fulfil diverse roles such as air defence, anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surveillance. The main Naval aviation bases are located at Goa, Arakonnam, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Port Blair with a few Naval Air Enclaves at other locations. OPERATIONAL SUPPORT Dockyard, Depots and Shore Establishments For repair and maintenance of ships and submarines the Indian Navy has two major Naval dockyards located in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam. Besides these, Naval Ship Repair Yards and Aircraft Yards function at other locations. Logistics support is provided by a well- established network of Weapon Equipment Depots (WEDs), Naval Armament Depots (NADs), and Naval Store Depots (NSDs) located at various places. All base support facilities are largely manned by civilian personnel. Know Your Navy 45","In addition to its major bases in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Karwar and Kochi, the Navy has a small presence in every coastal state. Outside the Naval Bases, training establishments are located in Jamnagar, Lonavala, Ezhimala and Chilka. Places such as Hyderabad and Dehradun host some support organisations. II. BRANCHES OF THE INDIAN NAVY EXECUTIVE As an officer of the Executive Branch, one may exercise command of ships, submarines and aircraft. The cadres that form part of the Executive Branch are General Service (Surface Navy), Pilot, Naval Air Operations, Submarine, Marine Commando, Law, Air Traffic Control, Naval Armament Inspection, Information Technology, Hydrography and Logistics. General Service Executive officers can specialise in Gunnery, Navigation and Direction, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Communications and Electronic Warfare, and NBCD. ELECTRICAL A warship is a mini-floating city with an integral power generation and distribution system. In addition, complex missile systems, underwater weapons, radar, and radio communication equipment form a major part of a warship\u2019s equipment. They incorporate modern trends in electronics and electrical engineering. For a ship to be able to fight effectively, all these equipment must be kept working at peak efficiency. Electrical Officers have this responsibility besides other challenging tasks. ENGINEERING Modern ships, submarines and aircraft are fitted with advanced technology propulsion systems and machinery. Engineer Officers are responsible for keeping all these hi-tech systems operating and serviceable. A large number also work in naval dockyards and repair yards. EDUCATION The Navy\u2019s Education Officers play a major role in the training of naval officers and sailors. They are responsible for scientific and methodical instructions, including theoretical aspects of technical subjects of all branches of the navy and also for general education. They could be post graduates or could train in various specialisations of the Executive Branch. In addition, some officers can also specialise in Oceanography and Meteorology. MEDICAL The Medical Officers of the Navy are responsible for the health of the personnel in uniform and their families, both in peace and war. Medical services are delivered through a network of hospitals spread throughout the country. To support the professional activities, hospitals have been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and trained paramedical staff. Every ship and submarine carries medical personnel for front-line medical requirements. III. CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS Navies the world over are reputed not only for their courage and gallantry, but also for courtesy and good manners. It is therefore necessary to be aware of the unique customs of the Service and of a society which give \u2018the Navy\u2019 its distinctive identity and pride in belongingness. 46 Know Your Navy","CRESTS Ships for centuries past have been using crests for the purpose of recognition and to distinguish one from the other. The crest was originally the insignia of each ship, and was affixed to her stem. In fact, even now, the ship\u2019s crest can be seen on the bows of a ship when she is launched. It is a source of inspiration and motivation to officers and sailors belonging to that particular ship, and a crest presented to an individual remains a highly prized memento. MAKE-AND-MEND A half working day is traditionally known in the Navy as a \u2018make-and mend\u2019. This term originates from the fact that sailors were expected to make and mend clothes every Saturday because their clothes were hand-stitched and had to be maintained by hand in the absence of machines. The practice gradually came to signify a half day, and was shortened to make- and-mend. Operational ships, while in harbour, often observe make-and-mend routine on Wednesdays and Saturdays. NAMING OF SHIPS The launching and naming of a ship is a momentous occasion, and is invariably accompanied by a formal ceremony. To add to the pomp and pageantry, the ship is freshly painted to give her an immaculate appearance, and a large Tricolour is draped across her bow. An invocation in Sanskrit consisting of verses from the Atharva Veda is recited by the senior naval officer present or his representative. The launching is traditionally done by a lady, normally the wife of the Chief Guest. With ceremony, she names the ship with the customary words,\u201cI have great pleasure in naming this ship Indian Naval Ship so and so. May good fortune attend her and all those who sail in her.\u201d She then applies kumkum on the stem of the ship, folds her hands in silent prayer, and breaks a coconut on the bows of the ship. With the splashing of coconut water the ship slowly slips into the water, the personnel manning the fo\u2019c\u2019sle cheering vigorously. Know Your Navy 47","IV. NAUTICAL LANGUAGE Every profession has its own language and customs. The military is no exception. Traditionally, to make communication easier as well as to have a sense of distinctive identity, the Navy uses a lot of abbreviations and acronyms. For example, it is easier to say NOFRA than to say Naval Officers\u2019 Residential Area. Here are a few other terms that you will hear often: Secure PLD Stand Easy This means the time at Pre-lunch drinks, A short tea break which work at any naval typically to celebrate a typically at mid-morning office ends for the day. promotion, or any other glad tidings, or to bid and mid-afternoon. farewell to an officer. Divisions Daily Order Wardr o o m Formal inspection of Written order published Officers\u2019 Mess onboard the ship\u2019s company every day containing a ship. by the Commanding directives and information. Officer. For example, Command Daily Order will have a list of accommodation allotted to officers among other things. Gangway Quartermaster OOD Denotes an entrance to a Refers to the sailor Officer of the Day. The ship when it is berthed who steers the ship duty officer for the day alongside a pier or a at sea and mans the on a ship. The duration jetty. The term is also gangway when on extended to mean the duty in the harbour. of duty is usually 24 narrow passages used hours. to board or disembark from ships. 48 Know Your Navy","CB Sortie Belay [the last] Civilian Bearer\u2014a A deployment of a The term used to civilian employed ship, submarine, or countermand an order. on board a ship aircraft. or shore mess to help in tending to the officers\u2019 uniforms and accoutrements. Aye Aye All Hands Alongside Old English for The entire ship\u2019s By the side of a ship or \u2018yes\u2019, usually used to company, both officers jetty. acknowledge an order. and sailors. Aboard Astern Galley On or within the ship. Towards the rear part The term used to refer of the ship. to the kitchen on a ship. Know Your Navy 49","Jetty or Pier Port Starboard A structure along The left side of a ship The right side of a which ships are when looking forward. ship when looking berthed. forward. Dress Ship The ritual of decorating a ship with flags running forward to aft to mark occasions of celebration. Designed by- Rohit E-mail: [email protected] Mob. 9560175238 50 Know Your Navy",""]
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