Surface Warfare Officers School Unit Great Lakes' (SWOSU GL) hull maintenance technician (HT) staff and students gathered at their "A" school building to honor the Navy rating established in 1972, although the work they do has existed since the first ship, Feb. 27.

During the celebration, Sailors and staff of the HT school house listened as current HTs spoke about their careers while a lieutenant commander, former HT, discussed how the skills Sailors' learn as an HT can carry them through their career inside and outside of the Navy. Lt. Cmdr. Edwin Parker, training and evaluations officer at SWOSU GL, also talked of his pride of being an HT and his admiration of those who serve in the rating.

"Every time a step aboard a ship, the first place I go is the engineering department to visit the hull maintenance technicians," Parker said. "In my opinion, HT is the greatest rate in the Navy. I can say that because being an HT made me who I am today -- going back as a young fireman to today as a lieutenant commander. I put in the hard work and it paid off."

Hull maintenance technicians 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.

"One piece of advice I can tell those that are going through HT "A" school is to commit yourself totally to your rate," Parker said. "If you study hard, dedicate yourself to learning all that you can, and make the right decisions, the HT rate will take care of you. You will have tremendous opportunities in and outside of the Navy."

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.

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