Check out a recent custom-ordered retirement chest made for a Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate.
The United States Navy occupational rating of boatswain’s mate (abbreviated as BM) is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted members who were rated or “striking” for the rating as a deck seaman. The colloquial form of address for a boatswain’s mate is “Boats”.
The rating of Boatswain’s Mate dates from the American Revolutionary War and was one of the oldest U.S. Navy ratings in continuous existence from 1775 to present. For a period of three months at the end of 2016, the rating (along with all ratings in the Navy) was scheduled for elimination, but the proposed change was unpopular with both sailors and Navy veterans and was reversed in December of that year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boatswain%27s_mate_(United_States_Navy)
We paid special tribute to Boats by personalizing our WoodyThings Military Retirement Chest – which is made from solid wood and measures approximately 26” long x 15″ wide x 12” tall.
These measurements allows for the versions that include a 3” lid to hold two flag displays, another 2-3” shadow box to sit inside, and another 6 or so inches underneath to store other items.
We made a large shadow box to sit flushed inside the chest. This allows for maximum storage while still having plenty of spaces to us for displays.
On the outside of the chest we added
- Rank
- Full name
- The US Coast Guard emblem
- Dates of Service
The front of the chest was personalized with USCG (United States Coast Guard) in black font.
The inside of the chest is personalied as well. The inside of the lid includes room for two flags to be displayed on each side.
The unit sprung for us to personalize the chest and add a folded American Flag, and the US Coast Guard Colors on the inside of the lid.
The center was lined with blue matted felt, to compliment naval traditions.
The center of the chest was adorned with the recipient’s Rank, Name, dates of service, and units they were are part of.
While the inside of the lid serves as a shadowbox (behind removable plexiglass), this retirement chest also contains a shadowbox tray, backed with black felt to mount ribbons, medals, badges, picture and more!
Check out a few pics submitted by the customer – the unit personalized the chest with the rank, ribbons, medals and additional devices worn in uniform. We think they did an AMAZING job at helping to put this together.
The chest is comprised of glossy, gold-hinges, latches and corners through the chest.
The handles were made from 5/8” thick manilla rope.
This chest can be presented as-is, or filled with additional gifts personalized for the recipients. Suggestions include unit patches, coins, a folded flag, books, a nice bottle 😉, a nice congratulatory cigar, etc.
What would you put in yours?
Get yours today at WoodyThings.com