Despite the implication that nobody in the Navy brass has a sense of humor, there are lots of of fun videos floating around the ‘net made on US Navy ships that suggest otherwise. My personal favorites all tend to be lip-sincing to popular songs. Here are a few that didn’t get the captain fired. Click on the link or the thumbnail to see the videos.
Women of USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) – 99,954 views. This video is interesting because it includes the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Terry Kraft. The Navy initially pulled the video “for a ‘lack of propriety’ in a few scenes involving the use of safety equipment.” Captain Kraft’s career was not harmed by the video. He is now a rear admiral in command, coincidentally enough, of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group.
I’m on a Boat – 734,147 views. I thought the SNL Lonely Island – T Pain version was pretty lame but the Navy version struck me as very funny. Maybe I am just easily amused. Based on the explicit version of the song. Don’t click the link if you are bothered by the meaningless repetition of foul language.
Navy Carrier Squadron “Pump It” – 3,468,914 views. A popular video by the “Sun Kings” of VAW-116, a Navy Command and Control Squadron that deploys aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. They have three other videos on Youtube as well. In total their videos have gotten over 6 million views on Youtube. You can check out their Youtube channel here. Rock on Sun Kings! Not to leave anyone out, one of the videos also features the VAW-113 “Black Eagles.”
Navy Numa Numa – 2,260,750 views. The infamous Numa Numa song sung aboard the USS Enterprise. Weird and infectiously funny.
And honorable mention goes to:
Telephone – 6,121,776 views. Not the Navy but still fun. Some guys deployed in Afghanistan. (Gotta love the costumes at about 1:40.)
Yes, a sense of humor, and quite a slick production too! I wonder what the safety equipment problem was — certainly not obvious. At first I suspected life jacket use was required in some of the areas where filming took place but I’m now thinking it might be radiation safety. Maybe a more careful viewing might have showed placards saying “protective clothing required in this area”. I see no problem with the CO being an “extra” on the “set”.
I think the “safety equipment” in question was the radiation suit which some blue suit probably thought was not meant for dancing.
I also think the XO on the Abraham Lincoln is featured on the “Pump-it” video as well.
Just goes to show that it is possible to keep the crew engaged and boost morale even without slurs, sex with donkeys or eating fake poop.