Correctly Responding to Insignia Questions at Basic
 

So, I've been told the RDC's ask you specific questions such as what a certain rank wears as a collar device, or what a rank wears on their dress blue sleeves.

I would answer "Petty Officer, an O-8 wears on their dress blue sleeves: 1 two-inch gold stripe and 1 half-inch gold stripe, Petty Officer."

But I've been reading this officer manual that has the "rank structure."

It reads this for O-8:
"Sir/ma'am, an O-8 in the United States Navy it's a Rear Admiral (Upper Half). His insignia is a two silver five-pointed star collar device, or two silver five-pointed stars outboard of one silver fouled anchor on Gold shoulder boards, or one two-inch hold stripe below one 1/2 inch gold stripe below one Gold five-pointed star on service dress blue uniform sleeves."

Is that only for Officers, though?

Another somewhat insignia related question is, how do they ask about the shoulder board? Do they just ask what an O-8 wears on their white dress blues?

That is just about correct. The officer question doesn't seem as specific as the one asked by the petty officer so that may be why there is more to answer.

All right, thanks bronx. What would make the answer "more" correct, then? haha

Lol well I guess it is correct--it is usually said "on the sleeves of his or her dress blue uniform." Lol its the same thing don't worry :p

For officers, that's the phrasing for the whole description, but they only ask for a part of it.

From what I observed, they generally ask those kinds of questions in context of your chain of command - for instance "What does the Military Training Director/Commanding Officer of RTC/Chief of Naval Operations wear on the sleeve of his or her dress blue uniform?" They won't just say the rank unless it's something that isn't covered like a warrant officer.

Haha so both will be considered correct? I just want to learn the "correct" version that won't get me in trouble, and learn it before I go!

Yeah, they seem to acknowledge the part we're speaking about at the end of each section, but I've been taught to answer it stating the question first, then the answer.

Also, they seem to explain a lot of things differently. Like, 5-pointed silver star instead of just "and one silver star." The also seem to explain the background color.

Ah man, thanks for the tips. That's pretty tricky!!! Very good to know...

Where can I look for that exact info

What info are you looking for?

Learn the information now, and get the framework when you arrive. Every RDC is liable to have some variation in how they want to hear it. You'll get plenty of practice, anyway.

The exact explanation of every rank. Collar and sleeve

Like Auridan said, the phrasing can differ based on what the RDC wants, but here are the complete descriptions:

This is the OCS gouge book, but it's the same insignia information you'll need to know.
http://www.ocs.navy.mil/pdfs/Updated....Pack.OCS2.pdf

Thanks!

Interesting read. I like the more accurate descriptions.

Are the OCS the way we need to respond though? They seem to acknowledge the collar device/sleeve at the end, instead of the beginning.

Are the basic answers for enlisted boot camp then? Or is OCS standard supposed to be the correct way no matter what?

Likes been mentioned, the phrasing can change slightly depending on your RDC.
You should be focusing on learning the content instead of the verbatim.

I posted the OCS version because it tends to have more information, that way you know he entire description. For example, at OCS, we say "a 5 pointed star" whereas at RDC you would typically just say "a star"

My advice: study rank and recognition and know how to properly identify everything. Know what is on the sleeve, shoulder boards, and collar device for all ranks. Know the titles too. Don't worry about how to phrase your answers. From what I've been told, your RDC's will tell you how they want you to phrase your answers. I guess all RDC's are different.