This 1966 U.S. Navy recruiting film shows the responsibilities of command and the demands — as well as rewards — for those who operate the Navy’s modern, complex machinery. The film opens with a sailor peering through binoculars aboard a cruiser (:22). Sailors are seen donning life vests aboard a 26-foot motor whaleboat constructed of plastic (:50). The craft is seen hanging over the side and being lowered steadily down into the water (1:32). Sailors chip at paint on the ship’s surface (2:04) and the ship’s long-range guns are exercised (2:10) as they are cleaned and inspected (2:30). Inspections continue (2:38). The bridge (3:19). The camera follows a ladder upwards to the Commander at the Captain’s bridge (3:56). The ship’s radar system (4:44) is shown. A close up shot of a magazine provides a Cold War headline: “Soviets may unveil advances in ICBMS” (5:19). The crew is piped awake with a whistle (5:52). After preparing themselves for the day, they are seen unloading supplies down a conveyor belt (6:23). A map showing that nearly 70% of the globe is covered in water (7:06) leads to a scuba diver (7:13) with a shark nearby (7:15). Coral reefs are filmed (7:40) as oceanographers work to evaluate the sea and sea floors (7:47). A rock specimen is pulled from the sea floor as mineralogists and biologists also take part in the effort of understanding our oceans better (7:50). Sonar tracking systems allow operators to take in the sea’s character (8:56). In order to steer the ship, one must take into account the weather as well as the winds and currents (6:11). The aircraft carrier USS Forrestal CV-59 (10:16) and a submarine follow (10:21). At 10:43 a Soviet ship #452, a Kresta II-class cruiser, is shown. Aboard the Forrestal, a sailor uses a signal lamp in morse code (10:50). Shorelines (12:58) and city skylines (13:05) lead into old footage a Soviet parade (13:12). Footage from prior conflicts point to the need of having a strong sea power (13:20). An assault diagram for beach landings are shown to a group of sailors (13:33). A convoy of vessels assembles for a full scale exercise (13:48). Forces of an amphibious operation step onto Higgins boats to be taken to the shore (14:27). USS Rockbridge (APA-228) is shown. Landing crafts near the shoreline (14:55) as escorting warships fire at shore installations in support of the landings (15:02). An F-4 Phantom is launched (15:10) and explosions follow (15:24). Paratroopers jump in succession and their black chutes pop across the sky (15:29). Troops sprint out from amphibious crafts as they hit the shoreline (15:38). Had enemy crafts been heading towards the beachhead to break up the landing, radar screens would have picked up attacking forces (16:24). A panoramic shot is provided of the mobile air base which could be nuclear powered as the Navy was eager to switch to the new power source (17:03). Computerized controls arm the missiles and one is seen fired and spinning through the air (17:26). Targets further in from the shore are hit (17:43). Another missile hits an enemy plane (18:08). As the amphibious operations continue, helicopters are seen landing on the beaches (18:45). Tanks unload (19:10) from USS Lorain County (LST-1177) and a supply line is moved across a long barge (19:18). A submarine periscope peeks up from the water (19:59) and a transport ship for combat troops is seen (20:05). Supply ships follow (20:10) and communication lines are viewed (20:45). Sailors on a ship deck work to tie knots (21:13). The vessel’s radar equipment rotates (21:24). Fueling for a submarine follows which would ideally be unnecessary once nuclear-powered submarines were in full active duty (22:30). At (23:24), an African American hospital corpsman prepares a shot aboard USS Waller (DD/DDE-466). Conventional submarines were considered surface ships with underwater duty as they frequently had to resurface to charge batteries and to refuel (24:16). One nuclear submarine is pictured as being 425 feet long (24:36). 140 men operate the vessel during 60-day intervals (24:40). Ballistic missiles (25:28) carried on the vessel — probably USS George Washington — are named Polaris, after the star. For recreation aboard the vessels, sailors play cards (25:47). A jet preparing to land closes out the film (27:32). It had been presented by the Chief of Naval Operations and was produced by Sun Dial Films Incorporated (28:29).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k resolutions.