BOSTON – Mount Sherman, Kentucky, native Constructionman Damian Pearsall, earned his basic interpretive historian qualification aboard USS Constitution, August 24.
Duty aboard USS Constitution is one of the Navy’s special programs, and all prospective crewmembers must meet a high standard of sustained excellence and interview to be selected for the assignment.
The basic interpretive historian qualification means that a sailor has studied and trained on the history of USS Constitution and has learned about the ship’s major historic battles, its unique design and the life of a sailor during the 19th century.
The active-duty sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people each year as they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history, maritime heritage, and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
Crew members who achieve the basic interpretive historian are authorized to wear a unique command ball cap, with the word ‘crewmember’ embroidered on the back, in place of the Navy’s standard eight-point cover or hat.
“Being basic qualified was a relief and a testament of the hard work of studying the historical events of the ship,” said Pearsall. “It was a sweet reward to receive my ball cap and become a bonafide crewmember . I look forward to furthering my knowledge with the advanced quals and continuing to improve my skills and be part of an amazing crew of sailors coupled with the benefit of being led by an amazing leadership team.”
Pearsall has served the Navy for six months and USS Constitution is his first duty station.
Pearsall is a 1999 graduate of Larue High School and is a 2011 graduate of The Art Institute of Indianapolis with a Bachelors of Science in Fashion Design.
USS Constitution, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured 33 opponents.
The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.