The Bluejacket's Manual
Encyclopedia
The Bluejacket's Manual is the basic handbook for United States Navy
personnel. First issued in 1902 to teach new 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 version is the 24th Edition, issued in 2009.
had at least two books for training young men in naval procedure but neither of them had the widespread use of the manual. Seamanship, by Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan
, was the primary textbook about seamanship itself at the United States Naval Academy
at the end of the 19th century but was not used by enlisted men; many sailors at the time were still illiterate and in any case, the oral tradition
s and procedures of petty officers were the basis of enlisted sailors' education. The Seaman's Handbook by LCDR
Stephen B. Luce, was a success but primarily in Merchant Marine
- not the Navy.
The Bluejacket's Manual was first written in 1902 by LT
Ridley McLean. Also started in 1902 was the Recruit's Handy Book, issued to every new enlistee. By World War I
, both were being issued to every recruit but during the 1920s, the Handy Book was discontinued.
In 1938 the title was changed from the singular possessive form to a plural possessive form of Bluejackets. After several decades of updates and revisions, the Manual was given its original title back under the singular possessive Bluejacket's.
The current edition's official author is CDR
Thomas J. Cutler (Ret.); Cutler referred to the work as a "collaborative effort".
The bluejacket manual (centennial edition) by Thomas J. Cutler is considered the basis for modern day seamanship and is received by all recruits upon entering recruit training command in Great Lakes, Illinois.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
personnel. First issued in 1902 to teach new 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 version is the 24th Edition, issued in 2009.
History
Prior to The Bluejacket's Manual the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
had at least two books for training young men in naval procedure but neither of them had the widespread use of the manual. Seamanship, by Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan was a United States Navy flag officer, geostrategist, and historian, who has been called "the most important American strategist of the nineteenth century." His concept of "sea power" was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide...
, was the primary textbook about seamanship itself at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
at the end of the 19th century but was not used by enlisted men; many sailors at the time were still illiterate and in any case, the oral tradition
Oral tradition
Oral tradition and oral lore is cultural material and traditions transmitted orally from one generation to another. The messages or testimony are verbally transmitted in speech or song and may take the form, for example, of folktales, sayings, ballads, songs, or chants...
s and procedures of petty officers were the basis of enlisted sailors' education. The Seaman's Handbook by LCDR
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Stephen B. Luce, was a success but primarily in Merchant Marine
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
- not the Navy.
The Bluejacket's Manual was first written in 1902 by LT
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Ridley McLean. Also started in 1902 was the Recruit's Handy Book, issued to every new enlistee. By World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, both were being issued to every recruit but during the 1920s, the Handy Book was discontinued.
In 1938 the title was changed from the singular possessive form to a plural possessive form of Bluejackets. After several decades of updates and revisions, the Manual was given its original title back under the singular possessive Bluejacket's.
Centennial Edition
In the 2002 Centennial Edition, also called the 23rd Edition, several modifications were made, these include the title revert. In addition, a chapter was added covering "Naval Missions and Heritage". The periodic updates were included in respect to the changed world as well as the expansion of the "Navy Education and Training" chapter.The current edition's official author is CDR
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Thomas J. Cutler (Ret.); Cutler referred to the work as a "collaborative effort".
The bluejacket manual (centennial edition) by Thomas J. Cutler is considered the basis for modern day seamanship and is received by all recruits upon entering recruit training command in Great Lakes, Illinois.