Why are Navy ships and carriers painted gray?
439985
short answer:  grey disappears in the horizon, making for a less visible target.
591468
There were actually two official colors for soldiers before the Civil War. Blue was reserved for soldiers serving in the federal army, and gray was for the militia forces serving under state authority. The Confederates believed they were fighting for States' Rights, and they were fighting to be separate from the Federal Government, so they chose to remain with the gray uniforms signifying loyalty to state rather than country. When President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the Southern Insurrection, they were to serve in the Federal Army. At the first battle, Bull Run, there were Southern troops wearing blue and Northern troops wearing gray militia uniforms, which is part of the reason there was so much confusion.
1060164
The stranger is the sailor that the child spoke to at the start of the poem. 3 years of war had passed and the child did not recognize the sailor because he had changed so much from his time at war.  Also, the child had changed over those 3 years.  The title of the poem tells us of the change from innocence to having experience, something we all experience.\n\nSteel morning - steel is a type of grey.  Can refer to the weapons of war.  Quiet, cold.\n\nwhite quay - white signifies purity, innocence, safety.\n\ngrey ship - Grey can mean mourning.  Grey is often seen as neutral, depression, and humility. Ashes are usually grey in color, and therefore a natural correlation exists between the two. Christianity commonly views grey as symbolic of death of the body while the soul remains eternal. Hebrew tradition relates the color grey to wisdom.
573263
How about naval warships with metal hulls...XREF "MONITOR" and "MERRIMACK". See also USS Virginia.
156880
if iron comes into contact with moisture and air, it starts to rust.The surface of iron is painted because it prevents iron from coming into contact with air and moisture.
934986
Honestly.   Because back in the day, ALL sailors were men and sleeping inside a giant falick shapped ship plus calling it a dude was and is considered Gay.\n\nThat's why. Sailors love and trust their lives to the ships that they spent their blood and sweat maintaining and operating.   It is much more comforting to call a ship Betsy, then Tom or something.\n\nYou can't understand. It's a guy thing..\n\nI named my car Eva.... Seriously.
11761
Because it was painted green. hmmmm.
65763
Because a ship has surface area, a needle doesn't. Water can flow around it, so it sinks.
679806
blue stands for color of water (marine), \ngold for noble cause of serving and defending nation
834825
Carrier Strike Group\nIn the CNO Guidance for 2003 Admiral Vernon Clark stipulated that the terms "Carrier Battle Groups" and "Amphibious Readiness Groups" would no longer be the standards terms and that they would be replaced by Carrier Strike Groups and Expeditionary Strike Groups, respectively, by March 2003. The goal being to find ways to effectively produce naval capability in a more efficient manner. \n\nUnder this initiative, Cruiser-Destroyer and Carrier Groups are designated as Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and aligned directly under the numbered fleet commanders. This realignment gives key operational leaders authority and direct access to the people needed to more effectively accomplish the Navy’s mission. Formerly, Carrier Group (CARGRU) and Cruiser-Destroyer Group (CRUDESGRU) staffs were under the administrative authority of the air and surface type commanders (TYCOM). With this new initiative, authority and control will come from the numbered fleet commanders who are responsible for the training and certification of the entire Strike Group. The organizational structure to support the Carrier Strike Groups focuses more on placing Strike Group commanders under the authority of the certifying officer, or the numbered fleet commander. \n\nFor more details see http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/csg-intro.htm
1113165
because when ships sink, seamen fill the water
750044
You can go to each branch's website, they have pics of graduation day and things like that. Those are dress uniforms, but the officer uniforms are different from elisted, so if you see some differences that's probably why. If you want to email me, i can give you info about AF uniforms. The Navy has about a million different uniforms and I don't know much about them, but I'm pretty knowledgeable about AF insignia. malorie.gutierrez@yahoo.com
224268
a navy shower is where you get wet turn off the water soap up and rinse off really fast and you get the hell out.  The reason its called a navy shower is because the ships have to conserve water.
549460
bmck has it right...prep work on any paint job is about 3x the actual paint time and the more the better...all loose paint must go; any place the aluminum is oxidizing ( loose grey powder, the alum. equivalent of rust) must go. Zinc chromate either in spray cans or quarts is the preferred  general purpose primer..\n\nPaints are usually made as a system, ie a finish coat is made to go with a specific primer. GO to marine store..or, if you are on fresh water and doing very limited use) a hardware store, and read the pant cans. Having spent 30 years reading Interlux and Pettit cans, I know there's a lot of information on the label.\n\nIf you are thinking of putting an anti-fouling paint on the boat you CAN NOT NOT NOT use copper based paints. The copper in salt water will eat the aluminum hull in no time....special paints are made for aluminum; once again read the cans.....THIS ALSO APPLIES TO OUTDRIVES AND OUTBOARD MOTORS, FOLKS..if you're in salt or even brackish water don't use copper anti fouling paint on your engine parts.you will quickly regret it
1097527
GRAY UNLESS THIS IS A TRICK QUESTION
1001741
the reasons are partly historical and partly practial. in short each is responable for the area of its own expertise. the army fights on land and the navy on the water. the airforce became a branch when it was decided that it needed to be a seperate force in oeder to fufil its missions. the marines are really a part of the navy. years ao tey had the mission of defending navy bases and capturing new ones as well as acting as shipboard infantry. the coast guard also becomes part of the navy in times of war but also handles lifesaving, safety, and maritime security. there is overlap since all branches need certain things such as aircraft. where it makes sense to have assets under the control of any branch they are given them. the navy needs aircraft to fufill its mission so it has carriers. the army might need boats for supply soit has them. the marines have become our kick in the door landing force and since they do it better than anyone else they are given watever they need. today all fight as a team under the command of the officer in charge of a region. an army general might command both navy ships and airforce planes in order to complete the mission. its not simple but it works and there is very little waste in the system. every asset and mission is carefully thought out and justified.
232490
It's classified. All ships movements are. Please never advertise day and time and naval vessel will be pulling in/out of port.