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Masters-At-Arms ... Detect, Defer, Defeat
by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Phillips
May
18, 2019
During the end of the Revolutionary War, Congress realized a police force was
needed for Navy ships. In 1797, Congress passed an act making it a requirement
for all fleet ships to have a master-at-arms onboard.
Originally, these
“sheriffs of the sea” were charged with keeping the pistols, carbines and
muskets in good order.
Nowadays, USS Harry S. Truman’s (CVN 75) masters-at-arms
act as security specialists trained in law enforcement, anti-terrorism measures
and force protection.
“We live up to the meaning of ‘detect, defer,
defeat,’” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Chantese Moore. “We encounter a threat
or hostile situation, like an active shooter, and we mitigate anything that may
arise out of the situation. We are the first ones on scene for every call,
ranging from a theft report to an active shooter or bomb threat.”
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January 24, 2019 - Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jessica Cooper participates in a simulated active shooter drill as part of anti-terrorism training aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) moored at Naval Station Norfolk, while remaining operational ready. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Joseph A.D. Phillips)
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Along with
dealing with outside threats, masters-at-arms (MAs) are also charged with enforcing the Uniform
Code of Military Justice’s (UCMJ) rules and regulations.
“I take a lot of
pride in being a master-at-arms,” said MA2 John Queen. “The Navy has very high
standards for its Sailors, and we are the ones charged with making sure everyone
is living up to those standards by abiding by the UCMJ and the commanding
officer.”
Moore, much like Queen, believes that the high standards start
with how her rate enforces rules and regulations.
“We can make the Navy,
along with our ship, a better place if we can hold ourselves accountable as well
as our shipmates,” said Moore. “All of that starts with us upholding our rules
and regulations.”
Lt. Cmdr. Robert Collett, Harry S. Truman’s security
officer, and former MA for eight years, said he takes pride in his department
and what they do day in and day out.
“MAs perform the ship’s only true 24/7
mission – force protection,” said Collett. “Whether it’s 20 degrees or 95
degrees, you’ll find my team out in the elements with their 20 plus pounds of
body armor and weapons, standing posts that most people would believe are more
of an inconvenience than a service to their shipmates.”
Being one of the
oldest standing rates in the Navy, MAs, much like the other original rates, have
had a lot of innovation. Even though the Navy did away with muskets and barrels
of gunpowder, it still needs its sea sheriffs to keep Sailors safe and hold them
accountable.
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