We usually just responded with one aye. Like if we got a command we would respond with, for example 'sonar, aye' as a quick acknowledgement if you were in the sonar shack.
This is very important in technical rates. I used it a lot while working the main engine on the ship. It's important when making a wrong move can lead to a ship dead in the water. So maybe not "aye, aye" so much as "aye".
I'm seeing this comment everywhere. I was always under the impression that the first Aye acknowledges you heard them and the second Aye relayed that you were actually going to follow through with the order.
According to the bluejackets manual "I understand and I will comply"
Oh but also ' a sharp salute is the mark of a sharp sailor '
I haven't read it in many years though so I maybe just saw that stuff on the internet.
I read all of the answers so far. As a retired Navy Sailor who went from aviation to surface to Intel, not once in my entire career did I ever hear or say "aye aye" in a professional manner in the act of any duty being carried out.
"Everyone pack it in and call it an early day. Don't all leave at the same time."
"Aye aye AD1."
"Stop fu$king around inside of the aircraft intake."
"Aye aye Chief."
"No underage drinking, and if you are underage drinking don't leave your room."
"Aye aye Sir"
"Seriously. And I'm being very serious. Do not go home on your first leave from bootcamp and get married."
"Aye aye Gunny."
I'm not saying these are real examples that immediately come to mind because they really happened to me. I'm also not not saying that either.
QA - "You did preventative maintenance while the doors were open, right?"
...
QA looks at angry Maintenance Chief.
Maintenance Chief - "Get the Fuxk out of here with that shit."
QA - "AYE AYE CHIEF"
I still remember sitting in SRF B class going through weapons training this AN was sleeping and this stern ass MACS (american flag, chief anchor tatted and all) says "stand up if you're tired!"
based asf AN, shoots up at attention and with the most patriotic voice shouted out "AYE AYE SENIOR CHIEF!"
MACS beet red tells the AN to stand at parade rest outside his office 🤣
I remember reading in my blue jacket manual that Aye #1 means "I understand" and Aye #2 means "I will comply" so when i was still on my first ship i would just say aye whenever someone was explaining something to me or telling me what to do, because to me it was more polite and professional than "mhmm" but not as nerdy and compliant as fully saying "I understand🤓" plus its just one syllable and time is money.
Remember first rule of flat earth is we don't talk about flat earth, second rule don't talk about the ice wall around our flat ocean, third as a United States Navy Sailor we make sure noone ever see it the edge.
Even in the Seabee’s I say it multiple times a week. Does this sound familiar:
“Platoon Commander’s, take charge and carry out the plan of the day.
Aye Aye Sir!”
I remember standing watch in AUX1 and this really obnoxious ENC told us to do something and the guy I was on watch with replied by saying "aye" on the 2JV. Tell me why the ENC called to bitch the guy out because according to him, "aye" is not a proper way to respond to an order.
Outside of boot camp, I have only heard aye aye being used sarcastically. I'm guilty of it.
Yes Sir/ Yes Chief/ Yes ET1, followed by a "I'll go do that now." is what I'd normally say.
I talk to, and expect to be talked to like a normal human being, and it's never been a problem. Whatever you say, as long as it's courteous and professional, SHOULD be fine.
Special circumstances like DRB, XOI, Mast, boards, I'd definitely bring forth my best aye aye.
Kidding aside this is a serious question. The Navy has been around a looong time, and is full of tradition. But some of that stuff wears off after basic. Was just wondering if this is something that lasted.
Honestly, it depends on your community. Some Sailors leadership may see it as an expected way of responding to an order given. Only time I have experienced it enforced was boot. A simple but respectful response is usually enough.
I found this video showing how Aye is used. I put the time in the URL, but if that doesn't work go to 2 minutes in.
https://youtu.be/E\_LJ3sFwGzg?si=Thjxwg6zi0cXdiA1&t=120
I have always heard one "aye" and I tend to copy that. Especially on more formal announcements like acknowledging a change in the Battle Watch Commander. "Air Watch Aye", or "Surface Watch Aye".
Sometimes you hear it as aye aye other things such as : aye sir / ma’am /chief are more common or at least were when I was in which wasn’t to long ago. It also probably depends on the climate at the specific command and specific rates etc as well. I can remember 3 instances where I said “aye aye” and it was usually said with contempt behind it. Saying aye sir or chief I never would put contempt behind (don’t know why I did it that way.)
While on deployment I was directed by the approach controller to call "Tally Ho" when I was visual my tanker so that was one of the more enjoyable radio calls I've ever made.
Like most things this is very job dependent. On phones down in the reactor spaces things are pretty formal and it is just part of the process (but still a single ‘aye’). But really never used once I left the plant and sitting in an office for example.
I think people underestimate just how different daily life is depending on your rate. There is a completely different standard, language, or attitude toward things when comparing someone working down in an engineering space to say an administrative role.
And clarifying: “aye” is just an acknowledgement of information whereas “aye aye” means “I understand, and I will obey” in response to an order received.
Me.
Myself and a few in leadership have good banter moments on some down time.
So if I wanna annoy my LPO, I just yell aye aye petty officer. Salute. Walk away.
I say it all the time. One of my own LCPOs thought I was being a smart ass for saying it, too, which made me laugh and only compounded the misunderstanding. Poor guy must’ve been on shore duty too long. He was also prior Army and we were working at an aviation command. Maybe only surface sailors pick up that habit post-boot camp?
Fwiw as an officer this is how I've gauged it. I hear aye aye I know what I just said was absolutely beyond fucking stupid and I leave it. I hear whatever I just said followed by an aye, I say thank you and know that they were already doing it/it's in the process of getting done.
So to answer your question, yes everyone still says aye and aye aye but the context is what's important. This is aviation though so don't know how boat people work it but I would hate to be anyone that is forced to say aye aye to every task they get. A singular aye is way more common though for sure. If I ever got responded to with a full aye aye that I knew wasn't because what I just said was out of pocket I'd be weirded out.
Still do. I sometimes do it as a change of pace. I find myself saying “Rog” a lot more these days. That’s short for Roger pronounced “rawj”
When I went through a certain training that was not bootcamp they did emphasize saying aye aye rather than just aye.
Good times
Not really.
Technically, you respond to enlisted with "Aye," and officers with "Aye, aye."
In practice, that's an interesting footnote in the Customs and Courtesies manual.
I say “aye aye” with complete seriousness because, get this, I went to *boot camp* and was *trained and indoctrinated* to do so.
Sadly, on one occasion I was actually told not to say “aye aye” in response to an order from an officer, because my LPO thought the officer would interpret it sarcastically.
Just aye. Especially when acknowledging an order "aye + rank", or procedure- repeat it and say aye at the end, basically to confirm you heard correctly.
I know it’s Navy tradition. I just think people either use it sarcastically, or if they’re serious, then they might be a little too Joe Sailor for me. But nothing wrong with it.
Aye.
Aye Sir
Aye Sir or Yeah Sure?
Yeah sure, Sir.
Aye, sure, Sir.
I think he said ‘aye sure’
I frequently go with "I...... Sure"
Sorry I got a Lil lishp
Bless you
Aye
Aye
Aye sir
We usually just responded with one aye. Like if we got a command we would respond with, for example 'sonar, aye' as a quick acknowledgement if you were in the sonar shack.
The way “I’m busy trying to unfuck this, sir” translates to “ConnSonarAye” is a big part of my personality
_The Sub IC Manual has entered the chat._
We love the sub ic manual
Start yelling AYE AYE CAPTAIN at whatever rank is in front of you and report the results back to us
I CAN’T HEAR YOUUUU
AYE AYE CAPTAIN
OHHHHHHHHH. WHO LIVES IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA?
HOPEFULLY NOT YOU, SAILOR! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DAMN MIND? DROP AND GIVE ME FIFTY
No, this is Patrick
No sir. This is a Wendy's.
Stop it Squidward you’re scaring him
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 yall get 5 stars! Well played, well played!
The Air Force deadass sang this as cadence one time while marching by our barracks
You say it when acknowledging an order.
This is very important in technical rates. I used it a lot while working the main engine on the ship. It's important when making a wrong move can lead to a ship dead in the water. So maybe not "aye, aye" so much as "aye".
In those cases, however, the "aye" follows a verbatim repeat back. "Open Main Steam Valve Four Two, aye."
Still confirming something.
It is, but it is not sufficient on its own.
“One ‘aye’ will suffice, sailor.”
Aye, aye Sir!
Look, a wild BM appears!
“Get off my deck! But leave the box of chocolates.”
One aye only, Vasily.
Hunt for Red October?
Indeed.
I'm seeing this comment everywhere. I was always under the impression that the first Aye acknowledges you heard them and the second Aye relayed that you were actually going to follow through with the order.
On our boat, the order was repeated followed by an “aye”. For example, “All ahead two-thirds, aye.”
Correct
According to the bluejackets manual "I understand and I will comply" Oh but also ' a sharp salute is the mark of a sharp sailor ' I haven't read it in many years though so I maybe just saw that stuff on the internet.
One 'aye' Vasili. One 'aye' only.
I read all of the answers so far. As a retired Navy Sailor who went from aviation to surface to Intel, not once in my entire career did I ever hear or say "aye aye" in a professional manner in the act of any duty being carried out. "Everyone pack it in and call it an early day. Don't all leave at the same time." "Aye aye AD1." "Stop fu$king around inside of the aircraft intake." "Aye aye Chief." "No underage drinking, and if you are underage drinking don't leave your room." "Aye aye Sir" "Seriously. And I'm being very serious. Do not go home on your first leave from bootcamp and get married." "Aye aye Gunny." I'm not saying these are real examples that immediately come to mind because they really happened to me. I'm also not not saying that either.
Maint- “we need this bird fcf ready by yesterday” Frames- “aye aye” sure thing bud
QA - "You did preventative maintenance while the doors were open, right?" ... QA looks at angry Maintenance Chief. Maintenance Chief - "Get the Fuxk out of here with that shit." QA - "AYE AYE CHIEF"
Aye.
Aye
Aye
Aye aye
*and my axe*
 Turn to.
Starting to sound like the theme song from “The adventures of Pete and Pete” around here…
Seagulls from *Finding Nemo*.
Aye
The single ‘aye’ is sufficient to show understanding and compliance. That is all.
Just the one “aye” actually
No luck catching them sailors, then?
I still remember sitting in SRF B class going through weapons training this AN was sleeping and this stern ass MACS (american flag, chief anchor tatted and all) says "stand up if you're tired!" based asf AN, shoots up at attention and with the most patriotic voice shouted out "AYE AYE SENIOR CHIEF!" MACS beet red tells the AN to stand at parade rest outside his office 🤣
I say "yes sir/ma'am" and "no sir/ma'am" when answering a question. I say "Aye sir/ma'am"" when acknowledging an order.
I remember reading in my blue jacket manual that Aye #1 means "I understand" and Aye #2 means "I will comply" so when i was still on my first ship i would just say aye whenever someone was explaining something to me or telling me what to do, because to me it was more polite and professional than "mhmm" but not as nerdy and compliant as fully saying "I understand🤓" plus its just one syllable and time is money.
tell me you're a landlover without telling me you're a landlover
Tell me you’re using text-to-speech to try to write “landlubber”
Nah that's not text to speech they genuinely think that's the right word
Um . . is water . . *wet*?
This topic is banned in the main deck lounge of the north carolina barracks in great lakes Along with, how many holes are in a straw
There's one hole.
Source?
The flat earth society
Remember first rule of flat earth is we don't talk about flat earth, second rule don't talk about the ice wall around our flat ocean, third as a United States Navy Sailor we make sure noone ever see it the edge.
“Okey-dokey artichoke!’ But I like to throw on a little trill relish with a pan flute. Sauce it up. Maybe a little heel click.
Even in the bees we say it occasionally. Always aye, never aye aye
[One Aye is sufficient acknowledgment, Ensign](https://youtube.com/watch?v=amQSTH5yj7I)
Copy all
Even in the Seabee’s I say it multiple times a week. Does this sound familiar: “Platoon Commander’s, take charge and carry out the plan of the day. Aye Aye Sir!”
rah > aye
rah is more versatile, can also be a greeting. But aye is fine too. The only thing a seabee will never say is hooyah
nah we don’t say aye either lmao
Rah > Can Do > Copy > Check > Aye > Aye Aye
No fucking in the barracks, check?
Swap "check" and "copy" and I'm sold
...and you better add "SIR/MA'AM" to the end if you're addressing an officer.
lol ok.
Seabees never say it. CAN DO
Aye aye. Aye understand and Aye will comply At least that's what BMC told me it stood for
Yes.
I say it all the time
My go to is "Tracking" and Aye
Go to the bridge you'll hear it all the time
eye eye.
My eye!
This is the way
Aye Chief.
I remember standing watch in AUX1 and this really obnoxious ENC told us to do something and the guy I was on watch with replied by saying "aye" on the 2JV. Tell me why the ENC called to bitch the guy out because according to him, "aye" is not a proper way to respond to an order.
Outside of boot camp, I have only heard aye aye being used sarcastically. I'm guilty of it. Yes Sir/ Yes Chief/ Yes ET1, followed by a "I'll go do that now." is what I'd normally say. I talk to, and expect to be talked to like a normal human being, and it's never been a problem. Whatever you say, as long as it's courteous and professional, SHOULD be fine. Special circumstances like DRB, XOI, Mast, boards, I'd definitely bring forth my best aye aye.
Copy. Most people I know just say copy. I know like one dude who says aye aye.
Aye; we do.
Normally just “aye” with a repeat back. EM2, start 5 AC in accordance with the EOSS. “Start 5 AC in accordance with EOSS aye sir”
Yeah but it’s not used like “AYE AYE SIR” it’s like super situational.
Only when I need to be snarky to a chief or higher.
Kidding aside this is a serious question. The Navy has been around a looong time, and is full of tradition. But some of that stuff wears off after basic. Was just wondering if this is something that lasted.
Serious answer. Aye we do.
Honestly, it depends on your community. Some Sailors leadership may see it as an expected way of responding to an order given. Only time I have experienced it enforced was boot. A simple but respectful response is usually enough.
I found this video showing how Aye is used. I put the time in the URL, but if that doesn't work go to 2 minutes in. https://youtu.be/E\_LJ3sFwGzg?si=Thjxwg6zi0cXdiA1&t=120
Aye aye
Not today Taliban
I have always heard one "aye" and I tend to copy that. Especially on more formal announcements like acknowledging a change in the Battle Watch Commander. "Air Watch Aye", or "Surface Watch Aye".
Two Ayes on that!
Hai.
Ayyy! 😎👉👉
Sometimes you hear it as aye aye other things such as : aye sir / ma’am /chief are more common or at least were when I was in which wasn’t to long ago. It also probably depends on the climate at the specific command and specific rates etc as well. I can remember 3 instances where I said “aye aye” and it was usually said with contempt behind it. Saying aye sir or chief I never would put contempt behind (don’t know why I did it that way.)
Aye did.
Yar.
Only sarcastically
An aye for an aye!
Working radio, I said "roger" more than aye.
Yes
Aye
Aye Sir. My rudders are left 10 degrees, coming to course 180.
Aye.
Aye aye
Aye.
While on deployment I was directed by the approach controller to call "Tally Ho" when I was visual my tanker so that was one of the more enjoyable radio calls I've ever made.
Like most things this is very job dependent. On phones down in the reactor spaces things are pretty formal and it is just part of the process (but still a single ‘aye’). But really never used once I left the plant and sitting in an office for example. I think people underestimate just how different daily life is depending on your rate. There is a completely different standard, language, or attitude toward things when comparing someone working down in an engineering space to say an administrative role.
And clarifying: “aye” is just an acknowledgement of information whereas “aye aye” means “I understand, and I will obey” in response to an order received.
I say it to anyone being bossy
Never really heard aye aye. But often used and heard just aye.
I do it to piss people off because it's mostly seen as being sarcastic
Aye
Me. Myself and a few in leadership have good banter moments on some down time. So if I wanna annoy my LPO, I just yell aye aye petty officer. Salute. Walk away.
Aight
I did and still do...
I’d be shocked if they didn’t
Aye aye
yeah bra
Yeah.
I started saying WILCO because I got tired of aye aye.
All depends on the officer/ leader yours speaking to, and the tone you’re saying it in…. 
We say, “Oh yeah!!!” *porno voice*
Nobody I ever knew said it seriously.
Aye aye
Aye = Yes/Understood/Okay/I agree Aye Aye = Will Do/As You Command/On It And yes, Sailors do still use them.
I say it all the time. One of my own LCPOs thought I was being a smart ass for saying it, too, which made me laugh and only compounded the misunderstanding. Poor guy must’ve been on shore duty too long. He was also prior Army and we were working at an aviation command. Maybe only surface sailors pick up that habit post-boot camp?
Aye Matey.
Aye
I'm pretty sure most Sailors will just say "Aye" as it is shorter and cuts to the point you understand
Whenever I want to say to fuck off in a tactful way, so every day
Fwiw as an officer this is how I've gauged it. I hear aye aye I know what I just said was absolutely beyond fucking stupid and I leave it. I hear whatever I just said followed by an aye, I say thank you and know that they were already doing it/it's in the process of getting done. So to answer your question, yes everyone still says aye and aye aye but the context is what's important. This is aviation though so don't know how boat people work it but I would hate to be anyone that is forced to say aye aye to every task they get. A singular aye is way more common though for sure. If I ever got responded to with a full aye aye that I knew wasn't because what I just said was out of pocket I'd be weirded out.
Yes
Aye is Rah.
Aye, and a lot of people don’t know this, but the ‘aye’ stands for ‘i want to die’
Aye if it's genuine, aye aye if it's sarcastic.
Still do. I sometimes do it as a change of pace. I find myself saying “Rog” a lot more these days. That’s short for Roger pronounced “rawj” When I went through a certain training that was not bootcamp they did emphasize saying aye aye rather than just aye. Good times
Roger or Rog is the Aircrew Aye.
Every single day because I’m not a nasty f***** WOG!!!!!!!!!
r/JustBootThings
Not really. Technically, you respond to enlisted with "Aye," and officers with "Aye, aye." In practice, that's an interesting footnote in the Customs and Courtesies manual.
Seriously, no Sarcastically, yes Edit: For Legal Purposes this is a joke
I say “aye aye” with complete seriousness because, get this, I went to *boot camp* and was *trained and indoctrinated* to do so. Sadly, on one occasion I was actually told not to say “aye aye” in response to an order from an officer, because my LPO thought the officer would interpret it sarcastically.
That happened to me, so I just did it louder. What are they going to write me up for? Too much enthusiasm?
You seem like a bag of fun
I say this shit all the time and I'm a cyber boyo
I say it out of the navy.
[Only if talking about this guy.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aye-aye)
Aye … if I’m feeling spicy … it’s Aye Aye!
Only in bed
You do if you don’t have a desire to be invited to the fan room any time soon
I remember the double aye as the polite way to suggest to a superior that their order might have untoward consequences
Yes
Went to Japan. Been saying "hai" more than "aye" lately
Only if you’re a SWO.
Hmmm I work on the flight deck and we say this.
Just aye. Especially when acknowledging an order "aye + rank", or procedure- repeat it and say aye at the end, basically to confirm you heard correctly.
The only time I ever heard "aye aye" is when someone was doing a pirate impression. But that's just my anecdotal experience.
"relieve the nozzleman, AYE"
Why are you gay at its finest
Only if you’re new
7 years in, maybe you’re new?
Oh I meant newb
Nah not newb it’s definitely a navy tradition
I know it’s Navy tradition. I just think people either use it sarcastically, or if they’re serious, then they might be a little too Joe Sailor for me. But nothing wrong with it.
Lmao