Author Topic: Symbolism of honor man coin? (Read 28169 times)

DadofMM-ELT · « **on:** Apr 03, 2011, 09:15 »

Well, son of DadofFutureNuke graduated as honor man with his MM A-School class

. The CO gave him a nifty commemorative coin and the imagery is pretty self explanatory except for what appears to be a Be (4 electrons anyway) atom on the obverse. I see from the Wikipedia that Be has a variety of uses in the industry and weapons. So today's question is this:

Is there any special Navy Nuke symbolism involved with Be?

And thanks for all the great info here - it helped keep him on track during enlistment and DEP.

Cheers,

-DOFN

HydroDave63 · « **Reply #1 on:** Apr 03, 2011, 09:20 »

Quote from: DadofFutureNuke on Apr 03, 2011, 09:15

Is there any special Navy Nuke symbolism involved with Be?

Probably to avoid resembling the dreaded ET rating insignia

goobs22xx · « **Reply #2 on:** Apr 03, 2011, 10:04 »

This question peaked my curiosity, so I tried looking around online. All I found were technical answers and nothing that specifically addresses NNPTC. Its worth noting that the image you described is on the logo used by the command (can be seen on their website). Seems as though Beryllium can be used as a neutron source, which would have obvious symbolism for the command at which nukes are initially schooled.

If it was intentional, I would imagine that's why.

Wanna Know Mom · « **Reply #3 on:** Apr 03, 2011, 11:18 »

Congratulations to your son and to you DOFN. Sounds like he has awesome parental support. Another commemorative coin awaits him after shedding his NUB status (becoming fully qualified) in the fleet......at least that is what happened with my ET. He saw the CO of his ship for the final oral board and was then given the coin.

Kathy VPNNM (VeryProudNavyNukeMom)

Marlin · « **Reply #4 on:** Apr 03, 2011, 01:24 »

Quote from: DadofFutureNuke on Apr 03, 2011, 09:15

Is there any special Navy Nuke symbolism involved with Be?

The short answer is no.

(The atom is Helium, two electons, two neutrons and two protons.)

for caring to check it out though. Good luck to your son.

bawb · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 02:13 »

My son received this when he graduated from NNPTC:

Reverse side:

playswithairplanes · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 02:33 »

Not sure there's any specific symbolism to go with Be. More's the like it's enough to recognize it as an atom, but few enough to not cost too much for the design.

The whole coin thing is relatively new, started with the Army. Now the whole military gives them out. I have a few from the USAF for projects I've worked on over the years. I guess they are kinda neat-o, but you know... the life of a Nuke is doing more than the Coner's/topsiders (non-nuclear trained folks on submarines and targets respectively) and getting half the respect. When I was in it was not uncommon for Cones to get commendations and awards for simply doing their jobs, Nukes "need not apply" as the old saying goes.

Oh, and congrats to your boy. Now tell him to get hot, he's Dink.

HydroDave63 · « **Reply #7 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 05:55 »

Quote from: bawb on Apr 04, 2011, 02:13

My son received this when he graduated from NNPTC:

Reverse side:

Anyone recall when slide rules were decommissioned out of Nuke School?

bawb · « **Reply #8 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 07:42 »

Those were the days. $150 was a lot of money in 1972. My trusty slide rule did just fine for Ohms law and it didn't need batteries.

goobs22xx · « **Reply #9 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 08:34 »

Quote from: Marlin on Apr 03, 2011, 01:24

The short answer is no.

(The atom is Helium, two electons, two neutrons and two protons.)

for caring to check it out though. Good luck to your son.

There's definitely four electrons.

JustinHEMI05 · « **Reply #10 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 09:57 »

I am not so sure that the 4 "electrons" on that coin represent anything. I would wager that not that much thought went into it. They had 4 ellipses, so they put 4 circles on them...

Justin

Marlin · « **Reply #11 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 10:04 »

Quote from: goobs22xx on Apr 04, 2011, 08:34

There's definitely four electrons.

I stand corrected.

MacGyver · « **Reply #12 on:** Apr 07, 2011, 12:40 »

Quote from: HydroDave63 on Apr 04, 2011, 05:55

Anyone recall when slide rules were decommissioned out of Nuke School?

1978 (approximately, iirc)

fourteener · « **Reply #13 on:** Apr 07, 2011, 04:14 »

Beryllium is used as a neutron reflector in nuclear weapons. But I doubt that is the reason they chose the particular atom. 3 or 4 orbiting electrons are more esthetically correct than 1 - 2 or 235.

JustinHEMI05 · « **Reply #14 on:** Apr 07, 2011, 05:21 »

Quote from: JustinHEMI on Apr 04, 2011, 09:57

I am not so sure that the 4 "electrons" on that coin represent anything. I would wager that not that much thought went into it. They had 4 ellipses, so they put 4 circles on them...

Justin

Cycoticpenguin · « **Reply #15 on:** Apr 09, 2011, 10:29 »

Quote from: fourteener on Apr 07, 2011, 04:14

Beryllium is used as a neutron reflector in nuclear weapons. But I doubt that is the reason they chose the particular atom. 3 or 4 orbiting electrons are more esthetically correct than 1 - 2 or 235.

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