Deck department

The Deck Department is a reference to a division on a U.S. Navy vessel which is comprised of sailors who perform maintenance and upkeep on the ship ("chippers and painters," as they're commonly referred to) and are knowledgable in basic seamanship. Undesignated seamen, or those who have not selected a "rate" (e.g. job or vocation), are normally the most junior sailors onboard and are usually sent to the Deck Department for their first tour of duty.

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The Deck Department is led by boatswain's mates, sailors who have chosen seamanship as their primary area of expertise. The First Lieutenant serves as the Deck Departments division officer while the Operations Officer serves as the department head, reporting directly to the ships Commanding Officer.

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