In 1902 when Lt. Ridley McLean first wrote this "sailor's bible, " he described it as a manual for every person in the naval service. One hundred years later, it continues to serve as a primer for newly enlisted sailors and as a basic reference for all naval personnel--from seaman to admiral. New technology is artfully blended with ancient heritage, facts and figures are augmented by helpful advice, and the mysterious language of the sea is preserved and deciphered in a volume that has served the United States Navy for an entire century. Updated throughout, the book provides the latest Navy ratings, uniforms, ships, aircraft, and weapons as well as current Navy policies on hazing, fraternization, education, and physical fitness, and a completely new chapter explaining the Navy's mission in terms of its rich heritage

Containing information on the US Navy's customs and ceremonies, this new edition includes details of the recent technological advances in today's Navy. The book has sections covering weapons, ships and aircraft, training procedures and the code of military justice.

The 26th edition of The Bluejacket's Manual continues the tradition of previous editions of this iconic work by serving as both an introduction to neophyte U.S. Navy Sailors and as a career-long reference work for all who wear the Blue and Gold. Readers of previous editions will note two significant changes in this latest rendition. The first recognizes the U.S. Navy's current emphasis on warfighting. While routine and administrative guidance--such things as uniforms, honors, and ceremonies, pay and benefits, standards of conduct, etc.--remain, this latest edition places greater emphasis on those aspects that Sailors are likely to encounter and must prepare for in the event of combat. The first chapter is titled and focused on warfighting, reflecting the emphasis on "Warrior Toughness" in the training curriculum at Recruit Training Command (AKA "boot camp") at Great Lakes, Illinois. Readers will find that this training emphasizes the psychological as well as practical aspects of preparation, providing a kind of "philosophy" that is tailored to Bluejackets who may well find themselves facing the challenges inherent to combat operations. Other chapters in the book--such as Weapons and Damage Control--complement this emphasis. The second major change to the book is its organization of information. The result is a more user-friendly book As always, the major purpose of revision is to bring the included information relevant and up to date. Readers will find coverage of those aspects of the Bluejacket's world that are evolving. Such things as cyberwar and drones are now included with the emphasis on warfighting. The Bluejacket's Manual, 26th Edition is a comprehensive yet manageable reference that will continue to serve the needs of the Navy and those who serve.

From the days of oars and coal-fired engines to the computerized era of the 21st century, The Bluejacket’s Manual has been an essential part of the American Sailor’s sea bag for over one hundred years, serving as an introduction to the Navy for new recruits and as a reference book for Sailors of all ranks. Written by a Sailor whose decades of naval service included sea duty in patrol craft, destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers as both an officer and a “white hat,” this newest edition has been overhauled to reflect the current state of the ever-evolving United States Navy and includes chapters on ships and aircraft, uniforms, weapons, damage control, communications, naval customs and ceremonies, security, leadership, pay and benefits, naval missions, military fundamentals, and seamanship. Since Lieutenant Ridley McLean wrote the first edition of this perennial classic, the Navy has grown from fledgling sea power to master of the world’s oceans, and both technology and American culture have changed in ways probably unimaginable in his day. Although The Bluejacket’s Manual has necessarily evolved (through more than twenty revisions) to reflect those changes, its original purpose has remained steadfastly on course. Like its predecessors, this new edition makes no attempt to be a comprehensive textbook on all things naval—to do so today would require a multivolume set that would defy practicality—but it continues to serve two very important purposes. First, it serves as a primer that introduces new recruits to their Navy and helps them make the transition from civilian to Sailor. Second, it serves as a handy reference that Sailors can rely on as a ready source of basic information as they continue their service, whether for only one “hitch” or for an entire career. To that end, this 25th edition has been reorganized to more efficiently reflect those dual purposes, with the first part of the book consisting of “Chapters” that provide introductions and basic explanations that Sailors new to the Navy will find most helpful, and the second part consisting of “Tabs” that deal with specifics—often mere tables—that seasoned Sailors will find useful for reference purposes. Also unique to this latest edition has been the creation of an accompanying website that will serve to keep the book current and provide valuable supplementary material. In total, this latest edition of a recognized Navy classic continues to serve today’s “Bluejackets” and “Old Salts” in the traditional manner while providing a fresh approach that will be welcomed by potential recruits, Navy buffs, and a growing number of Bluejacket Manual collectors.