James G

The episode "Say Again Your Last" was riveting, perhaps the best episode in the series so far but there were two inaccuracies which should have been caught given the shows record. The first was one perhaps only those in or formerly in the Navy would catch. After twelve or more years of Good Conduct a sailor wears gold hash marks and gold chevrons and rockers (as appropriate) on his/her rate insignia on the dress blue uniform. Per MC Hayes hash marks and stars on his Good Conduct Medal, he is on his fifth four-year enlistment and has over 16 years of Good Conduct. Wearing red hash marks and red chevrons and rocker on his rate insignia, he is out of uniform. While a powerful dramatic scene, an enlisted man, no matter how senior or close to the family, would never be sent to inform the next of kin of the death of a family member and certainly not in the company of his underage daughter. A Chaplain and a Senior Officer would present the official notification to the next of kin. Military based dramas are much more enjoyable when they are realistic. Perhaps more so to us eagle-eyed old vets.