The Bluejacket's Manual

Last updated
The Bluejacket's Manual
Bluejacket manual23.jpg
23rd Edition Hardcover
Author Thomas J. Cutler, Mark T. Hacala, and Paul A. Kingsbury
Country U.S.
Language English
Subject United States Navy life
GenreHandbook
Publisher United States Naval Institute Press
Publication date
12 Apr 2023 (26th Edition)
Media typePrint
Pages712 (Hardcover 26th edition)
ISBN 978-1-68247-843-1 (Hardcover 26th edition)
Preceded by25th Edition (2015) 

The Bluejacket's Manual is the basic handbook for United States Navy personnel. First issued in 1902 to teach recruits about naval procedures and life and offer a reference for active sailors, it has become the "bible" for Navy personnel, providing information about a wide range of Navy topics. The current edition is the 26th, published in 2023. [1]

Contents

History

Before 1902, the Navy had at least two books for training young men in naval procedure. Seamanship, by Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, was the primary textbook about seamanship at the United States Naval Academy but was not used by enlisted men; many sailors at the time were still illiterate and in any case, the oral traditions and procedures of petty officers were the basis of enlisted sailors' education. The Seaman's Handbook by LCDR Stephen B. Luce, saw general use in the Merchant Marine, but less in the Navy. [2]

1902 saw the first publication of The Bluejacket's Manual, written by Lieutenant Ridley McLean, as well as the Recruit's Handy Book. Every enlistee received the latter, and by World War I, both were being issued to every recruit. The Handy Book was discontinued in the 1920s. [2]

Some manuals published between 1903 and early 1915 have inconsistent edition numbering. The 1903, 1905, 1907, and 1908 were considered the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions by the authors and the Naval Institute. In 1914, Franklin Publishing was contracted to publish the 1914 and 1915 book and pamphlet manuals. Because 1914 was the first time Franklin published the manual, they published their edition as the First Edition, the early 1915 version as the 2nd, and the late 1915 one as the 3rd. A single numbering system was restored with the 3rd edition, late 1915 Manual. [3]

Centennial Edition

The 2002 Centennial Edition (23rd edition), saw several modifications, including a reversion to its original title: Bluejacket's. [4] The "Navy Education and Training" chapter was expanded, and the "Naval Missions and Heritage" chapter was added. [4]

The current (26th) edition's authors are retired Lieutenant Commander Thomas J. Cutler, retired Master Chief Mark T. Hacala, and retired Fleet Master Chief Paul A. Kingsbury.

Early editions

Bluejacket's Manual Editions by Year
YearEditionPrintingAuthorForeword/IntroPublisherPrinterDatedISBN/OCLCPagesBinding
19021st1st LT Ridley McLean William H. Moody USNIUSNI1902 OCLC   2548907 304Envelope
1902 (reprint)1stReprintLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNIUSNI1978 E.L. Beach ISBN   0870211072 304Envelope
19032nd1stLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1903 P.R. AlgerNone391Envelope
19042nd1stLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1904 P.R. AlgerNone391Envelope
19052nd1stLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1905 P.R. AlgerNone391Envelope
19072nd1stLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1907 P.R. AlgerNone391Book
19082nd1stLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1908 P.R. AlgerNone407Book
19112nd1stLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1911 P.R. AlgerNone407Envelope
19112nd2ndLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1911 P.R. AlgerNone407Book
19132nd1stLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1913 R. EarleNone407Envelope
19132nd2ndLT Ridley McLeanWilliam H. MoodyUSNILord Baltimore Press1913 E.J. KingNone407Book

Later editions

Bluejacket's Manual Editions by Year
YearEditionPrintingAuthorForward/IntroPublisherPrinterDatedISBN/OCLCPagesBinding
19141st1st (5 parts/1 vol.)None Josephus Daniel USNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone849Book
19152nd1st (5 parts/1 vol.)NoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone849Book
19152nd1st (Book 1/pt. 1)NoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone222Book 1/4
19152nd1st (Book 2/pt. 2)NoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone247Book 2/4
19152nd1st (Book 3/pt. 3)NoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone274Book 3/4
19152nd1st (Book 3/pt. 4)NoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone74Book 3/4
19152nd1st (Book 4/pt. 5)NoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone47Book 4/4
19153rd1st (5 parts/1 vol.)NoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNone ListedNone879Book
19164th1stNoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingMar 1916None845Book
19174th1stNoneJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingMar 1916None845Book
19175th1stLT Norman Van Der VeerJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNov 1916None845Book
19175th1stLT Norman Van Der VeerJosephus DanielMilitary Publishing Co.Military Publishing Co.Nov 1916 OCLC   14201704 845Book
19185th1stLT Norman Van Der VeerJosephus DanielUSNIFranklin PrintingNov 1916None845Book
19186th1stLT Norman Van Der VeerJosephus DanielEdwin AppletonEdwin Appleton1918 OCLC   317209669 850Hardcover
19186th1stLT Norman Van Der VeerJosephus DanielMilitary Publishing Co.Military Publishing Co.1918 OCLC   8137959 821Hardcover
19226th1stCDR C.C. Soule Edwin Denby Gvmt Printing OfficeGvmt Printing OfficeSep 1922None518Hardcover
19226th2ndCDR C.C. Soule Edwin Denby Gvmt Printing OfficeGvmt Printing Office1924None518Hardcover
19277th1stNone Curtis D. Wilbur Gvmt Printing OfficeGvmt Printing OfficeMay 1927None958Hardcover
19277th2ndNone Curtis D. Wilbur Gvmt Printing OfficeGvmt Printing Office1928None958Hardcover
19388th1stNone William Leahy USNIUSNIMar 1938None836Hardcover
19388th2ndNone William Leahy USNIUSNIMay 1938None836Hardcover
19388th3rdNone William Leahy USNIUSNIJune 1938None836Hardcover
19399th4th (Rev. 8th edition)NoneG.V. StewartUSNIUSNIMar 1939None834Semi-hardcover

WWII Editions

Bluejacket's Manual Editions by Year
YearEditionPrintingsAuthorForward/IntroPublisherPrinterDatedISBN/OCLCPagesBinding
194010th5NoneG.V. StewartUSNIUSNI1940–43 OCLC   560958256 784Hardcover
194311th7NoneA.T. ChurchUSNIUSNI1943–44 OCLC   155725915 1145Hardcover
194412th1NoneA.T. ChurchUSNIUSNI1944 OCLC   9358944 585Hardcover

Post-war editions

Bluejacket's Manual Editions by Year
YearEditionPrintingsAuthorForward/IntroPublisherPrinterDatedISBN/OCLCPagesBinding
194613th3LT Charles RossA.T. ChurchUSNIUSNI1947–48 OCLC   801977902 622Hardcover
195014th27None Hon. Francis Matthews / J.W. Roper USNIUSNI1950–57 OCLC   3032167 828Semi-hardcover
195715th7CAPT John V. Noel VADM James Holloway USNIUSNI1957–59 OCLC   20269963 647Semi-hardcover
196016th4CAPT John V. NoelVADM W.R. Smedberg III USNIUSNI1960–62 OCLC   17452212 641Semi-hardcover
196317th6CAPT John V. NoelVADM W.R. Smedberg IIIUSNIUSNI1963–66 OCLC   11142117 684Semi-hardcover
196818th3None MCPON Delbert Black USNIUSNI1968–69 OCLC   1468065 756Hard or softcover
197319th8LCDR Arnold S. Lott MCPON Robert J. Walker USNIUSNI1973–77 ISBN   0870211099 644Softcover
197820th21Bill Bearden MCPON Thomas S. Crow / MCPON W.H. Plackett USNIUSNI1978–89 ISBN   0870211129 611Hard or softcover
199021st9Bill Bearden MCPON John Hagan / MCPON Duane Bushey USNIUSNI1990–96 ISBN   0870212591 771Hard or softcover
199822nd LCDR Thomas J. Cutler MCPON Jim Herdt USNIUSNI1998 ISBN   1557500649 643Hard or softcover
200223rd [5]  LCDR Thomas J. Cutler MCPON John Hagan USNIUSNI2002 ISBN   1557502218 648Hardcover
200924th LCDR Thomas J. CutlerMCPON Joe R. Campa, Jr. USNIUSNI2009 ISBN   1591141532 694Hardcover
201525th [6]  LCDR Thomas J. Cutler USNIUSNI2017 ISBN   1612519741 784Hardcover
202326th [1]  LCDR Thomas J. Cutler, USN (Ret); MCPO Mark T. Hacala, USN (Ret); MCPO Paul A. Kingsbury, USN (Ret) USNIUSNI2023 ISBN   1682478432 712Hardcover

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval rating</span> Junior enlisted ranks of a countrys navy

In a military navy, a rate or rating, and sometimes known as a bluejacket in the United States, is a junior enlisted sailor who is below the military rank of warrant officer. They are not a commissioned officer. Depending on the country and navy that uses it, the exact term and the range of ranks that it refers to may vary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boatswain</span> Supervisor of a ships deck department

A boatswain, bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun, also known as a deck boss, or a qualified member of the deck department, is the most senior rate of the deck department and is responsible for the components of a ship's hull. The boatswain supervises the other members of the ship's deck department, and typically is not a watchstander, except on vessels with small crews. Additional duties vary depending upon ship, crew, and circumstances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Luce</span>

Stephen Bleecker Luce was a U.S. Navy admiral. He was the founder and first president of the Naval War College, between 1884 and 1886.From 1909 to 1910 he was vice president,from 1910 to 1911 president of the Aztec Club of 1847.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Naval Institute</span> American private non-profit naval military association

The United States Naval Institute (USNI) is a private non-profit military association that offers independent, nonpartisan forums for debate of national security issues. In addition to publishing magazines and books, the Naval Institute holds several annual conferences. The Naval Institute is based in Annapolis, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief of the boat</span> Enlisted sailor on board a U.S. Navy Submarine

The chief of the boat (COB) is an enlisted sailor on board a U.S. Navy submarine who serves as the senior enlisted advisor to both the Commanding Officer (CO) and Executive Officer (XO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delbert Black</span> 1st Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy

Delbert D. Black was a senior sailor in the United States Navy who served as the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy from 13 January 1967 to 1 April 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucky Bag</span> Yearbook of the United States Naval Academy

The Lucky Bag is the term for the United States Naval Academy yearbook dedicated to the graduating classes. A traditional Lucky Bag has a collection of photos taken around the academy and photographs of each graduating officer along with a single paragraph describing the individual written by a friend. While no one knows for sure, it is speculated that it is named after the "lucky bag" that contains the possessions of sailors who lost items at sea.

The Sailor's Creed is a code of ethics of the United States Navy, originally developed for the promotion of personal excellence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boy seaman</span> Naval rating

A boy seaman is a boy who serves as seaman or is trained for such service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Thirteen</span> Military unit

The Golden Thirteen were the thirteen African American enlisted men who became the first African American commissioned and warrant officers in the United States Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culinary specialist (United States Navy)</span> United States Navy occupational rating

Culinary specialist is a United States Navy occupational rating. The rating was created on January 15, 2004 from the mess management specialist (MS) rating.

Ordinary seaman is a military rank used in naval forces.

In the United States Navy prior to June 2019, enlisted Sailors in pay grades E-4 to E-9 were authorized to wear golden rate insignia instead of red if they met the requirements for good conduct service. Those Sailors in paygrades E-4 to E-6 who had met good conduct service requirements were also authorized to wear collar insignia and cap devices with gold chevrons on their service uniforms. On 1 June 2019, golden rate insignia began to be worn by all Sailors with 12 years of service or more, regardless of disciplinary history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boatswain's mate (United States Navy)</span> United States Navy rating

The United States Navy occupational rating of boatswain's mate is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted members who were rated or "striking" for the rating as a deck seaman. The colloquial form of address for a boatswain's mate is "Boats".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridley McLean</span> US Navy Admiral (1872–1933)

Rear Admiral Ridley McLean, USN was a two-star Admiral in the United States Navy. He was a Naval Academy graduate, the original author of the Navy's Bluejacket's Manual, and Judge Advocate General (JAG). He commanded a battleship in World War I, helped pioneer the naval use of shortwave communication, and led a submarine force and a battleship division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master-at-arms (United States Navy)</span> Military unit

The Master-at-Arms (MA) rating is responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy—equivalent to the United States Army Military Police, the United States Marine Corps Military Police, the United States Air Force Security Forces, and the United States Coast Guard's Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist. It is one of the oldest ratings in the United States Navy, having been recognized since the inception of the U.S. Navy.

Thomas Joshua Cutler is a retired United States naval officer, naval historian, author, and editor. He is "one of the most prolific authors in the history of the Naval Institute Press in terms of sold books."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven S. Giordano</span> 14th Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy

Steven S. Giordano is a retired United States Navy sailor who served as the 14th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Bluejacket's Manual, 26th Edition".
  2. 1 2 Faram, Mark D. (JO1) (June 2008). "The Bluejacket's Manual Turns 100". All Hands . Archived from the original on 2002-07-14. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  3. Weenink, R.A. "The Bluejacket's Manual". Archived from the original on December 9, 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Bluejacket's Manual, United States Navy". United States Naval Institute (25th ed.). Retrieved 2018-03-23.[ dead link ]
  5. blue jackets manual 2002 wayback.archive.org 2012-08-07
  6. The Bluejacket's Manual, 25th Edition

[1]

  1. Faram, Mark. "A Sailor's Classic Turns 100". U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved 29 Oct 2023.