Do Sailors Have to Do Shore Duty?

Every sailor eagerly awaits a chance to experience shore duty as soon as they become eligible. This desire is quite universal, but the type of shore duty available can vary greatly depending on the sailor's role within the military. The communications field offers numerous land-based assignments, but other specialized positions, such as radar technicians, missile technicians, and gun technicians, are mostly confined to ships. For those who secure a position on a ship, a 5-year stint at sea is imminent, with the anticipation of shore duty usually beginning around the 4-year mark.

Types of Shore Duty Assignments

Once a sailor decides to enter a specific field, their duties and movements are often predetermined. For example, those in the field of communications have numerous possibilities for land-based roles. During my active service, most sailors in these specialized positions spent approximately 5 years serving onboard, followed by about a year or two of shore duty before they were assigned as instructors, who would teach new sailors the skills they had previously mastered. An instructor's role usually lasted 3 years, during which time they would be looking for their next sea assignment around the 2-year mark.

Experiences of Petty Officers

Not all sailors are assigned to full surveillance roles, especially not petty officers, who often have unique opportunities to engage in shore patrols. My own experience as a petty officer included patrolling barracks used by allied navy personnel, specifically the South Vietnamese sailors in port. What seemed like a routine check quickly turned into an adventure when one of the sailors started a mattress fire due to unauthorized smoking. Mercifully, the flames were quickly extinguished with a pitcher of water, resulting in no serious harm. This incident provided a humorous yet significant lesson in fire safety.

Potential Exceptions to Shore Duty

While shore duty is a common requirement, there are very few positions that do not necessitate a transition from sea to shore. In my experience, almost all specialists are eventually assigned to maritime duties, but there might be specific jobs that do not require such a switch. However, these exceptions are rare and usually involve unique roles that may not be universally applicable to all sailors.

Conclusion

Overall, the vast majority of sailors eventually experience both sea and shore duty. The desire and anticipation for shore duty are common among those who have spent time at sea. Whether it's instructing new sailors or patrolling port areas, shore duty offers a much-needed break and a different set of responsibilities. Despite the variety of roles within the military, the transition from sea to shore appears to be nearly inevitable for most sailors.