By HMSN Katrina Mastrolia, USS Constitution Public Affairs
Lawrence, Massachusetts native, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Santamaria, earned his basic interpretive historian qualification aboard USS Constitution, Aug. 13.
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.
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.
“There is so much rich history about the ship but I’m happy to have learned all I have,” said Santamaria
Santamaria has served in the Navy for five years, and his previous duty station was the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).
Santamaria is a 2014 graduate of Lawrence High School.
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.
The active-duty sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution normally 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.
USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.
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.
