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PATUXENT RIVER, Md.—Capt. Heidi Fleming frocked new petty officers first, second and third class Dec. 10 at Center Stage Theater.
The term "frocking" dates back to the age of sail, when communications between the Department of the Navy (DON) and ships at sea could take weeks or even months. News of promotions would arrive, usually in a letter brought by another ship. Often there would be orders for the newly promoted Sailor to report to a new ship or station. The ship that brought the news would sometimes take that individual away to his new assignment.
Since this created a vacancy on the first ship, the ship's captain might choose to forward a recommendation for promotion for one of the remaining crew, to be carried back to the DON.
One of the symbols of rate was a frock coat. The newly advanced Sailor would pass his old coat to the one who was now filling his vacated rate. Months would go by until the captain's recommendation made it back to the DON, was acted upon and made official, and news sent back. In the intervening time, the recommended Sailor would be accorded the privileges and authorities of their new rate, but would not receive pay for it, since it was not yet official. Because it was not yet official and because he was still wearing the old frock coat of the recently departed and promoted shipmate, the recommended Sailor was considered frocked. Congratulations:
• Master-at-Arms 1st Class Evan Desrosiers
• Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Wailani Okamura
• Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Daniel Roberts
• Master-at-Arms 1st Class Matthew Wilson
• Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Justin Cano
• Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Shawn Dilimone
• Electronics Technician 2nd Class Joseph Hockman
• Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Casey Montoya
• Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Mykah Calhoun
• Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Taquonna Little
• Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Nicholas Lowe
• Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Maria Rodriguez
The term "frocking" dates back to the age of sail, when communications between the Department of the Navy (DON) and ships at sea could take weeks or even months. News of promotions would arrive, usually in a letter brought by another ship. Often there would be orders for the newly promoted Sailor to report to a new ship or station. The ship that brought the news would sometimes take that individual away to his new assignment.
Since this created a vacancy on the first ship, the ship's captain might choose to forward a recommendation for promotion for one of the remaining crew, to be carried back to the DON.
One of the symbols of rate was a frock coat. The newly advanced Sailor would pass his old coat to the one who was now filling his vacated rate. Months would go by until the captain's recommendation made it back to the DON, was acted upon and made official, and news sent back. In the intervening time, the recommended Sailor would be accorded the privileges and authorities of their new rate, but would not receive pay for it, since it was not yet official. Because it was not yet official and because he was still wearing the old frock coat of the recently departed and promoted shipmate, the recommended Sailor was considered frocked. Congratulations:
• Master-at-Arms 1st Class Evan Desrosiers
• Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Wailani Okamura
• Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Daniel Roberts
• Master-at-Arms 1st Class Matthew Wilson
• Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Justin Cano
• Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Shawn Dilimone
• Electronics Technician 2nd Class Joseph Hockman
• Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Casey Montoya
• Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Mykah Calhoun
• Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Taquonna Little
• Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Nicholas Lowe
• Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Maria Rodriguez