What is "cranking" in the US Navy?

Question

I heard it is bad and everybody who is an E-1 thru E-3 goes through this? Can you please give me any information?

Answer 1

You are refering to "Mess-cranking", more-correctly known as mess-cooking, which is where non-rated personnel do a 90-day stint assisting in the ships galley, doing cleaning, dishwashing, food serving, stores handling, and other jobs. It is not the most pleasant duty, but it IS only 90 days.

Answer 2

Cooks in the Navy pretty much just cook. They don't do all the stuff that goes along with it. Like Washing dishes, filling of drink dispensers, napkin holders, salt and pepper shakers etc. Mostly your job is to clean!! Theis is called "Food Service Attendant" or Mess Cooking. Somehow it evolved into Mess Cranking. I would guess you could call this the Navy version of pulling KP. (Kitchen Patrol)
On small ships you can do 90-120 days of this. On larger ships it may last a bit longrer and there is more places to work. For example on a Carrier, you could be assigned to help laundry or filling coke machines instead of working as a dishwasher. Some ships actually utilize the rating of thier mess cooks. For example, They may use a Repair division person to help do maintenace and repairs around the kitchen(Galley).

Answer 3

it sucks, but yes everybody does it you spend anywhere from 30-90 days in the galley washing dishes, peeling spuds and helping out the CSs. if you get REALLY lucky, you get assigned to the Chief's Mess or the Wardroom, Mess, where the duties are easier, as you are serving less people, although you may have to dump trash and run the vacuum in the Officer's quarters.

However, you get perks by working there too.. sometimes they tip, and sometimes you get to chow down on what they eat..and that can be better than what the crew eats.

My DH Cranked in the wardroom, and made some friends when he made his 'special' coffee..cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the grounds. the XO was pleased.

Answer 4

On most ships, when an E-1 to E-3 checks on board, his/her name goes to the bottom of the list. When their name comes to the top, they are assigned a position in the galley (enlisted, chief's or officer's). There they spend 90 days assisting the cooks and cleaning up the galley or mess decks. Remember, it's just 90 DAYS. Do your best and it will go fast. You might even LEARN something. I did 3 tours..once as an E-3 (skullery), once as an E-5 (in Antarctica) in break outs (jack o' the dust) AND food service records, and once as an E-6 as Chief Mess Decks Master at Arms.
If you can put on E-4 before going mess cooking (p.c. is FOOD SERVICE ATTENDANT) or while you're there, you won't do your 90 days.
(USN retired)

Answer 5

It is a period of time spent working for the MSs(cooks) in the galley doing everything stephen H mentioned. It is not just for non-rated personell, it is for all new arrivals usually E-4 and under depending on the command. It is usually 90 days but that also depends on the command. Usually will be done within your first few months after arrival to your ship. Everyday is spent smelling like rotten vegetables.

Answer 6

The above answers have it right on. Not everyone cranks though, only sea sailors. If you don't go to a ship in the first few years of duty, you won't have to mess crank.

Answer 7

The proper term is mess attendant. They assist the cooks in the galley normally by washing dishes, cleaning the mess decks and other such jobs.

Answer 8

it's not that bad as long as you make good friends with the cook's and specialy the baker. only advice i could give is when your craking and your ship is at sea take the night shift with baker. trust me on this one i know from my time cranking.

Answer 9

It when you work in the galley. that's were you will spend your first 3 months on your first ship. yes it does suck, but just about everyone has to do it.

Answer 10

i did my time on the mess decks but i didnt wash a dish at all, i worked in the supply part of the mess when i was down there.