AAARRRGGHH — Navy needs new "Old Tar"

Is your master chief old? I mean really old? Well he or she just might rate an honor for that. The Surface Navy Association is searching for its next “Old Tar” — the active-duty enlisted sailor who has been Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualified for the longest.

The Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin -- if you've had yours the longest -- you might rate an award.

According to NavAdmin message 224/09, applications will be accepted for anyone who earned their pin “equal to or later than Aug. 1, 1982” — and has the paperwork to prove it. The award, created in 1996 by the Surface Navy Association is currently held by recently retired Command Master Chief Sammie L. Lymon.

There is one catch, however, submissions must be received by Friday, July 31 at the association’s headquarters — 2550 Huntington Avenue, Suite 202, Alexandria, Virginia 22303.