From January 2001 to May 2005, Mark was stationed aboard the USS Rhode Island blue crew in St. Marys, Georgia. He was the Assistant Navigator. He has also designed a Navigation Template Generator to help the navigation team.  While onboard Rhode Island, the ship received 2 Battle E Awards and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary  & Service Medals. The Navigation Department was awarded the Red & Green Navigation "N" Award, representing excellence in navigation.  Mark's personal awards include two Navy Achievement Medals and the Navy Commendation Medal.
Click here to learn more about the USS Rhode Island








From April 1998 to January of 2001, Mark was stationed at the Submarine Training Facility at the Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. He was an instructor and ran the SPAN trainers for navigation teams on the submarines. While at SUBTRAFAC, Mark received the "Instructor of the Quarter" award. He received a Navy Achievement Medal for his End of Tour award.








From February of 1994 to March of 1998, Mark was stationed aboard the USS Trepang (SSN(674) in Groton, Connecticut. While on Trepang, Mark received a Navy Achievement Medal for work he did in 1995. The Trepang received a Navy Expeditionary Medal. Mark was designated Assistant Navigator in December of 1995 while waiting for a replacement of his former Assistant Navigator. He was again designated Assistant Navigator the last three months he was aboard. Mark received a Navy Achievement Medal for his End of Tour award.
Click here to learn more about the USS Trepang




Mark received the "Order of the Rock" for transiting through the Straits of Gibraltar on June 6, 1997.


Mark received the "Order of the Spanish Main" for cruising the Caribbean August 22- 24, 1996.


Mark received the "Shellback" for crossing the equator on August 26, 1995.


Mark received the "Order of the Ditch" for transiting the Panama Canal on August 13, 1995.








From February 1991 to February 1994, Mark was stationed in the Harbor Operations Division at Mayport Naval Staton. He was a Tugboat Dispatcher. While at Mayport, Mark was awarded the National Defense Service Award along with every military member and civil service workers due to the Desert Storm Conflict. Mark designed software to better keep track of the Tugboats usage and develop reports easily.




Mark was advanced to Petty Officer First Class on July 16, 1992.








From February 1989 to January 1991, Mark was stationed aboard the USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN 633) gold crew in Kings Bay, Georiga. His off-crew was in Charleston, South Carolina so we didn't have to move to Georgia. The Casimir Pulaski was awarded the Navy "E" for operations completed from April 1989 to March 1990. Mark completed the Advanced Quartermaster School while attached to this command.
Click here to learn more about the USS Casimir Pulaski

From June 1986 to January 1989, Mark was stationed aboard the USS Ray (SSN 653) in Charleston, South Carolina. Mark received his first Navy Achievement Medal from this command in 1988. For the fourth quarter of 1988, Mark was awarded "Sailor of the Quarter." The Ray received a Navy Expeditionary Medal and a Meritorius Unit Accomendation, along with a Navy Unit Commendation. While Mark was on board Ray, he also received the Arctic Service Ribbon and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Mark attended Periscope Photography School in September 1987.
Click here to learn more about the USS Ray




Mark received the "Blue Nose" for crossing the Artic Circle in late 1986.




On August 17, 1987, Mark qualified in submarines on board the 637 Class Fast Attack Submarine, USS Ray (SSN 653), and assigned the enlisted designator of "(SS)."




Mark was frocked to Petty Officer Second Class on January 16, 1989.




Mark was advanced to Petty Officer Third Class on December 16, 1987.

Click on the Submarine Dolphins to learn their background

This is the SSBN Patrol Pin. Sailors receive this after their first patrol aboard a SSBN Submarine. They receive a gold star to put on it after each patrol.

This is the symbol for Mark's job. He's an QM which is a Quartermaster. This symbol is worn on the uniform with their rank. In 1999, the QM rating was combined with the ET rating and the ET symbol is on his uniform, but he will ALWAYS be a QUARTERMASTER!

A naval Quartermaster is responsible for the watch-to-watch navigation of the ship, under the direction of the navigator. Maintenance, correction, and preparation of nautical charts and navigation publications, responsibility for navigational instruments and clocks, and training of ship's lookouts and helmsmen are among the Quartermaster's duties.
The Quartermaster rate (along with Gunner's Mate, Cook, and Boatswain's Mate) is one of the four "right-arm rates": the oldest rates in the Navy.
The primary watch a modern Quartermaster stands is Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW); the watch-to-watch representative of the Navigator, whose primary responsibility is safe navigation of the ship. He plots the ship's position on the chart, maintains a dead reckoning plot of the ship's projected position, obtains and plots fixes, and advises the Officer of the Deck (OOD) on navigational items. He also maintains the ship's Deck Log, a chronological detailing of all pertinent events.

These are the ribbons of the awards that Mark has received.
Starting at the top and working left to right, they are as follows:

Navy Commendation Medal - he has 2 of these MAJOR awards.  They are not given out lightly
Navy Achievement Award - he has received 6 of these
Joint Meritorious Unit Award - this award was for the entire boat. Mark received this one on board the USS Ray.
Navy Meritorious Unit Accomendation - this award was for the entire boat. Mark received this one on board the USS Ray.
Battle "E" - this award was for the entire boat. Mark received this one on board the USS Casimir Pulaski. Mark also received two of these while onboard the USS Rhode Island
Navy Good Conduct Medal - Mark has received 4 of these.
Navy Expeditionary Medal - this award was for the entire boat. Mark received this one on board the USS Ray.
National Defense Service Medal - this award was given out after Desert Storm to all military and civil service workers.
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal - the award was for the entire boat.  Mark received this one onboard USS Rhode Island
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal - the award was for the entire boat.  Mark received this one onboard USS Rhode Island
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - this award is given when the service member is at sea for 90 days or more.  Mark has 6 of these.
Navy Artic Service Ribbon - this award was for the entire boat. Mark received this one on board the USS Ray.
Pistol Sharp Shooter Marksman - Mark received this one for his marksmanship in shooting a pistol.

If you have any questions or comments about this page, please click on the QM symbol above to email me!

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