designated piece of real estate assigned to them, but individual places are first arrive, first fill.
Manning the Rails is not an exercise undertaken lightly. Personnel need time to change into the dress uniform of the season, be inspected, and space themselves uniformly. When I was stationed on the Nimitz, it took about an hour to get ppl ready just to go above-decks! Inspection and prestaging take place on the hangar deck, then the crew file up the (long) ladders to the flight-deck and take their places.
Incidentally, Manning the Rails is done as a show of respect to most Ports-Of-Call, and as a Photo-op for ceremonies such as Changes of Command, Commissioning of a ship or Squadron, etc. |
