Andaman Sea. (October 12, 2024): A warship is like a living being, its key parts must be ready to spring to life in an emergency. In this photo by MC1Greg Johnson, Operations Specialist 1st Class Ruchel Papa, from Los Angeles, stands watch in the combat information center during a General Quarters drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey. General Quarters is a ship-wide signal that all hands (everyone available) aboard must go to battle stations (the positions they are to assume when the vessel is in combat) as quickly as possible. The emergency could be enemy sightings but the command is also used to summon the crew during storms or even fog.

The order traces its roots to the British Navy phrase 'beat to quarters' which indicated a particular kind of drum roll that ordered sailors to their posts. In preparing for a fight, some would load and prepare to fire the ship's guns while others would ascend the rigging as sharpshooters. During general quarters, crew members would remain at their battle stations with their guns and ammunition ready for immediate use.

Historians argue that more than drums were used to signal “battle stations” (yes, they really do debate these things) contending that both the English flute and the American Fife played a role. The Brits also contend drummers played the 1795 hit song “Heart of Oak,” a ditty about an English naval victory to summon the crew to duty. The Americans claim they used  the Fife aboard U.S. Navy ships and never an English tune. The debate rages on.

In the meantime, the phrase “General Quarters, General Quarters. All hands man your battle stations” will be forever etched into the minds of every American Sailor and Marine.