Sea Organization

From End The Cult

The Sea Organization (or Sea Org or S/O for short) was created on August 12 1967 by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard according to Hubbard, the first Sea Organization crew were: "Some of the most loyal and dedicated OT beings available in the universe". Today, members of the Sea Organization can be found filling various positions and duties in almost every Scientology Organization whether that Organization be Class V or an Advanced Organization.

The official motto of the Sea Organization is "revenimus" or "We come back" a play on the beliefs of Scientologists (and especially members of the Sea Organization) that they have lived lives prior to their current life).

Creation & Evolution

On September 1 1966, L. Ron Hubbard officially resigned from all directorships and management of Scientology churches. He then formed the "Sea Project," which he said would assist him with researching tests regarding past life recollections. Called the "Sea Project", because it operated on ships and was intended as a temporary project, it was made up of a small group of Scientologists. In early 1967, upon seeing that Scientology churches were going into a decline, L. Ron Hubbard resumed management of the church in a non-directorship capacity. With the help of the Scientologists that had helped him on the project, he declared that the project was now to be a permanent organization called the "Sea Organization" or "Sea Org". He declared himself "Commodore" and organized the Scientologists with titles and uniforms similar to US Navy design; the Sea Org subsequently became the upper management group within the Church of Scientology. Due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest Hubbard continued to operate for eight years in the Mediterranean Sea and over this time controlled a number of ships (hence the term "Commodore").

In 1975, they sold the ships they were working from and moved to "land bases" that now operate around the world (including Clearwater, Florida). In 1987 they purchased a ship called "La Bohème", which they later renamed to "Freewinds". The highest levels of Scientology are taught on this ship. The Sea Org acts as goodwill representatives and administrators of Scientology with the stated purpose to "get ethics in on the planet". Another primary function is "To safeguard the advanced levels of Scientology". According to the church, the Sea Org is a fraternal religious order rather than an incorporated entity.

In more recent times, the Sea Org is primarily based on land; however, the highest levels of Scientology were still delivered at sea on board the Sea Org's vessel, the Freewinds, until April 2008 when it was sealed for extensive asbestos contamination, and the Sea Org still maintains its naval uniforms and character. Only Sea Org members are staff members in Scientology's Advanced Organizations.

Quality of a Seamen

The Sea Organization has authentic sounding para-naval ranks just like any other navy organization does. The ranks of the Sea Organization are as follows.

• Commodore (Reserved for L. Ron Hubbard)
• Captain (David Miscavige)
• Commander
• Lt. Commander
• Lieutenant
• Lieutenant Junior Grade
• Ensign
• Warrant Officer
• Midshipman
• Chief Petty Officer
• Petty Officer First Class
• Petty Officer Second Class
• Petty Officer Third Class
• Able Bodied Seamen
• Swamper (introductory level)
• Estates Project Force (introductory level)