WILLINGNESS   TO   WORK.   Together,   these qualities can take you a long way in the Navy. THE SIGNAL BRIDGE LEARNING   OBJECTIVES:   Describe   the various types of signal bridges and state one characteristic all have in common. The signal bridge, where you will spend your working hours, is a platform high in the superstructure of a ship. All visual signaling takes place from this point. The size of the signal bridge and its location vary according to the type of ship. On some ships the bridge is on the same deck as the navigation bridge, where the conning officer is stationed. On others it is on the flag bridge or on a separate bridge. A cruiser has a large bridge, providing ample space for the signal gang to operate. On the other hand, the bridge of a fast frigate cannot offer nearly as much signaling space. Some ships are equipped with divided signal bridges, port and starboard. Regardless of how the signal bridge is laid out, it always is designed to give the best possible vision from ship to horizon. In  many  respects,  flaghoist,  semaphore,  and flashing light are far superior to radio. Especially is this true when the mission of the unit or force demands radio silence; that is when security considerations silence all electronic communications. With radio silence in effect, only visual signals may be used to convey messages. Visual signaling is used widely, even in peacetime when security often is not a major issue. Flaghoist is used almost exclusively by task force commanders to maneuver their ships during daylight  hours. As a Signalman 3 or 2, you must have the ability to send and receive messages and recognition signals by flashing light, semaphore, and flaghoist. You must learn to prepare the headings for outgoing messages and to become proficient in the correct procedures for handling,  routing,  and  filing  messages. GETTING ORIENTED One of your first steps in becoming a Signalman is to learn all you can about the organization in which you will work. Obviously, no book can anticipate or cover all the questions you will have about your new job; so when questions arise, check with your division petty officer. Make it a point to learn something new each day about your job and your ship. On a modern ship, ignorance is a very real danger to you and your shipmates. Become familiar with all the different spaces of your ship and what their functions are. Put particular emphasis  on  the  communication  and  navigation spaces,  such  as  the  communication  center,  radio central, the bridge, and the signal bridge. Learn the quickest, shortest, and alternate routes to each from different sections of the ship. MILITARY APPEARANCE Another  thing  to  learn  is  that  Signalmen  are generally considered the very smartest in military appearance. Therefore, always be in a clean, neat, and proper uniform. Also, the spaces in which you work should be the cleanest and most orderly aboard ship. It is your job to make it so. DUTIES TO PERFORM LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define the term phonetic alphabet; list procedures to form letters of the alphabet and numerals; state the purpose  of  the  message  blank.  Describe  the following Signalman duties: flagbag operator, spotter,   searchlight   operator,   semaphore operator,   Signalman   of   the   watch,   boat Signalman,   in-port   duty   Signalman,   and Signalman   supervisor. As a Signalman, you will be tasked to perform many duties. How you perform these duties could directly affect the mission of your ship. Some of these duties are explained in the following paragraphs. RECORDING  MESSAGES One of your first duties after joining the signal gang will be to record visual messages. Probably on your first day on the bridge you heard one of the operators call out, "Stand by to record." You may have noted that the operator went directly to the signal light and  began  to  receive  the  message,  while  another Signalman, maybe a striker like yourself, grabbed a message  blank  and  began  to  record  the  information  the operator called out. 1-2