An Association of Soundmen, Sonarmen, Sonar Technicians
And Others Interested in Sonar
The early years (1982-1998) of "The Ping Jockey" newsletter are now available in the password protected members only section.
The National Association of Sonarmen was founded in 1982 by Frank Crawford, a retired Navy Senior Chief Sonarman. It was his desire to foster better communications between men who had served time in the Navy or Coast Guard in sonar affiliated ratings. After Frank died in 1994 a dedicated group of members took the helm to continue the association. Later, a name change created the "National Sonar Association" with a new and expanded set of goals and objectives for the association.
Frank communicated with the members in bi-monthly newsletter called "The Ping Jockey". It has been mailed to all active members since 1982. The members contribute enjoyable sea stories and articles about our common Sonar heritage.
Each year a reunion is held at various locations selected by the membership. The reunions span a four-day time frame and are usually scheduled in the summer. Optional golf events, ship or base tours, shopping trips, camaraderie, dining and fun are a requisite. Past reunion sites have included many well known spots such as Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Norfolk and Key West. The 2007 Reunion was held in San Diego, California
REUNION 2008 is scheduled for Shreveport, Louisiana, Member Jesse Newton is hosting the reunion. The dates are September 11 - 14. Our headquarters will be the Holiday Inn, Shreveport, Financial Plaza.
In 1997 the association instituted an awards program to honor the top students in the graduating classes of our Sonar "A" school in San Diego and we have done our best to have an association member on hand to present a certificate and a trial membership to each honor graduate at his or her graduation ceremony. This program has the support of the Commanding Officer of the Fleet ASW Training Center. We have awarded over 250 "A" school Honor Graduates at San Diego. We wish to re-institute a similar program at NSS in Groton, Connecticut for our graduating Submarine Sonar School Honormen. This program is in need of help from local members. If you would like to be involved, please contact the association president.
During 2008, the association has approximately 500 dues paying members. Our FREE TRIAL membership program is contributing to this increase. We know there are thousands of Sonarmen, Sonar Techs, and others who had, at one time or another, their own involvement in sonar, whether Navy, Coast Guard or as a civilian. We are looking for you. Our slogan is "Ping Jockey's Don't Lose Contact!" Join up with us. Normal membership dues are $20 per year but will be waived until June 30, 2009 for all newly registered members. Sign up now. Again, from one Sonarman to another. DON'T LOSE CONTACT!!