Hi all, I'm trying to get some information on my Grandfather (R.I.P) to get a few of those wall plaque/display things made for a few members of the family.
All I know about his service is that it was from sometime in the 50's to the 70's. He retired and is listed on that Goatlocker.org site as a "OSC". So I'm guessing that he was a Chief in the Navy, but I can't find what that OSC acronymn means.
Also, how can I go about getting his service record? Is there an online source for that type of thing?
Thanks in advance.

edited for typo..


CHRIS

I believe the "OS" rating stands for "Operations Specialist".  These are the enlisted sailors who work in the Combat Information Center.  You see them on the sound powered phones drawing on the plotting board.  Showing the positions of all elements in the area.  
The "C" stands for Chief Petty Offier or E-7.

Operation Specialist (OS): OSs operate radar, navigation and communications equipment in shipboard combat information centers (CICs) or bridges. They detect and track ships, planes and missiles. They also operate and maintain identification friend or foe (IFF) systems, electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment and radio-telephones.
[url]http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ratings/navrate.html[/url]

SEAL is a warfare designation as opposed to a Rate in itself. It si similar to Surface warfare, Submarine Warfare, Air Warfare, Fleet Marine Force etc. Your primary rating (HM, MA,etc) does not change when you become a SEAL. You merely add the word SEAL in parenthesis after your Rate and Rank. For example, my rate is that of a Corpsman (HM) but I also am qualified as a Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist (FMF). Therefore, my designation would be as follows: HM2 (FMF) C. Lef.....(last name). If i were to be a SEAL my designation would be as follows: HM2(SEAL) C. Lef.....

They all follow the same format..Rate/Rank/Warfare Designation (if any) followed by last name...

the SEAL designation is not a rate per se. rather it is a specialized blah blah.. we all know what the rest is, so i wont lecture. the SEALs get their folks from ordinary sailors with the cojones and desire to finish the program. sailors with different ratings to include: BMs, GMs, ETs, MMs, etc. etc.  

sorry Cixelsyd for semi-stealing the post.

yes your late Grandfather was an Operations Specialist Chief (E-7).  as far as his service record is concerned, you would have to request the copy from here:

[url]http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourceFileView?file=Records_Getting.htm[/url]


good luck !

Thanks everyone for your help.


Chris