---

MST History.<!-- Edit -->

Last Edited : 3/26/2009 11:13:41 PM GMT

That only tells you Joe Torre designed it... but not truly what behind the design! For some reason I remember Jim telling me something about it but hell if I can remember. I'll have to email him! LOL

---

It tells how the insignia was created. It doesn't tell what it stands for. That would be a different question.

Well if that isn't splitting a fine hair! LOL

---

I thought the answer was 'they had a contest', not 'Joe Torre designed it.' Joe Torre was catching for the Cardinals that year anyway...

See I think the answer is how Joe Torre came up with the design... not his name or that it was a contest.

---

So what was the final outcome of this?

The MST rating was first announced in 1968.  It was initially staffed with all active duty Aerographers Mates (no options) and any oceanographic trained Sonarmen who wanted to lateral over at their same rate.  AGs without oceanographic training or experience were run through one of the last few (OT) classes and former SOs (like me) were given a crash course in meteorology. 

Headquarters decided to run a contest for the rating insignia to be worn by the MSTs.  The contest ran from spring thru the summer of '69 and was won by an SN stationed at the Oceano Unit in Wash DC.  The new design was announced at a GovIsl Tracen graduation ceremony in the Sept/Oct 1969 time-frame and the badges were made available for purchase in the Nov/Dec 69 timeframe.

The first set of MST service wide exams were administered in the fall of '69 and the first promotions within the rating were made in Dec-69/Jan-70.  (Yours truly was the first MST advanced to MSTC rather than lateralling over from AGC or SOC).

Hope that clears up the mystery,

Hi Chief. It is good to meet someone that is something of a legend. I really do mean that, first advanced to MSTC, that's mighty impressive. I hope you share your insight on other posts as well.