On occasion, just a word or two that I read while visiting other blog sites will stir my curiosity and even my wild imagination. On one particular visit, a brief comment not only stirred my curiosity but it was also a subject that I had no knowledge but thought about on occasion. The question being, when is a title used that can be perceived as something other than the title implies. For many years, I was commonly referred to as "Chief". Even today, when I visit a military base, if the gate guard is astute, after looking at my identification, he will say "Thank You Chief". However, to the best of my knowledge, I have no ancestors in my background that would lead me to believe that I was an American Indian. It is a common phrase used in the Navy when addressing a Chief Petty Officer.
The phrase that triggered my thoughts this day was "Postmaster General" which also made me wonder about the title of "Surgeon General" . The term General would lead one to automatically think about the Marine Corp, Army or Air Force staff officers. But it really boggles the mind when the "Surgeon General" is seen wearing what appears to be the uniform of a Navy Vice Admiral. Why isn't this position known as "Surgeon Admiral"? The "Postmaster General" is always seen wearing civvies, mostly commonly suit and tie.
"POSTMASTER GENERAL"
SURGEON GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATESThe Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Commissioned Corps. The Surgeon General is nominated by the President and confirmed by the majority vote of the Senate. Currently, Sanjay Gupta is awaiting confirmation following his nomination by President Obama. The Surgeon General is the highest ranked uniformed officer of the Public Health Service, holding the grade of a three star Vice Admiral when in office. However, the Surgeon General reports to the United States Assistant Secretary of Health, who himself may hold the rank of a four star admiral within the Public Health Service. As a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service by law they hold the rank of Vice Admiral. They are classified as non-combatant but can be subjected to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Geneva Convention when designated by the Commander In Chief (President) as a military force. Officer members wear uniforms that are similar to those worn by the U.S. Navy, except that the commissioning devices, buttons, and insignia are unique to the Public Health Service. Despite their appearance in uniform, they are not affiliated with the U.S. Navy. President S. Grant appointed the first Surgeon General, John Woodworth in March 1871.
Now it begs to ponder, why would someone with the title of General choose to hold the title and dress as an Admiral. Why didn't they choose to wear the uniform of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corp where the title of General is appropriate?
Each time a flag ranked officer or an Officer in Command visits a naval vessel they are acknowledged when boarding. They are identified by their command, not by their name or rank. For instance, if the Secretary of the Navy were to visit a ship he would be announced by the Bos'n Mate of the Watch, as "Navy Arriving". A commanding officer of a ship would be announced by the name of his ship when visiting another ship or returning to his own command, for instance if the Commanding Officer of the carrier Ronald Reagan were going to board another vessel, the Bos'n of the Watch would announce, "Ronald Reagan Arriving". Now we encounter a problem of identification, if the Surgeon General were to visit a Navy ship, he would be announced as "Surgeon General Arriving" but then a Vice Admiral not a General shows up on the Quarterdeck. How do you log that into the deck log? "Surgeon General arrived onboard but not a real General but an Admiral, but not really an Admiral because he is not in Navy". Mind blogging thoughts.
