Surface Warfare Officers School Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes' Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) staff and students gathered at their "A" School building to honor the Navy rating that was established in 1972, although the work they do has existed since the first ship, Feb. 15.

During the celebration, Sailors and staff of the HT schoolhouse listened as current HTs spoke about their careers and the skills Sailors' learn as an HT that can carry them through their career inside, and outside of the Navy.

Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Christopher Richardson, Instructor at SWOSU's HT "A" School, talked of his pride of being an HT and his admiration of those that serve in the rate.

"Knowing that there are ships sailing today because of the work you've done is awesome," Richardson said. "Realizing that if your job isn't done and done well then people and ships could be lost. The amount of trust and responsibility put on you is incredible. We all except that responsibility."

HTs first began as carpenter's mates in 1797 and have evolved through various iterations of name and duties before earning its current separate designation in 1972. At that time, HT merged with Damage Controlman (DC). In 1984, the separate designation was fully achieved when DC became a separate rating.

Richardson relayed his advice to the future HT's.

"Listen, because no one has all the answers," he said. "Experience comes from making mistakes, but wisdom comes from learning from them."

Training sites for HTs from Pennsylvania and California merged and were welcomed to their current home at Naval Station Great Lakes in 1995. HTs are responsible for the metal work necessary to keep shipboard structures and surfaces in working order. These duties range from plumbing, small boat repair work, operating and maintaining ballast control systems and managing the quality assurance program -- also known as Non-Destructive Testing.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/.