I got an email from df today, saying he'd got his upper level qual sheet signed off, so he just has to take the test and have an oral board. I have no clue of what this means! Does anyone know?

it almost sounds like he is going for one of his warfare pins. qual is short for qualification.

qualifications (gun shoots things like that) at least thats what i think they are. I know when db use that term he is talking about getting qualified to use another special gun.

ok, thanks!

Yep, you got it right, qualifications. Every watchstation has a required amount of training before you can stand the watch on your own. That training is called "quals" or "qualifications". You get a "qual sheet" or "qual card" that lists off the required elements of training, and once you've had that training, whoever GAVE you the training has to sign your qual card under that element. You also usually have to stand a predetermined number of that specific watch as a "U/I", or "Under Instruction", when you're buddied up with a qualified watchstander. Usually after the qual card is signed off in its entirety, there is an oral board to verify that you know what you're doing and could handle an emergency (or any other situation). When you get to your duty station you have a preset amount of time to get qualified to stand whatever watches you'll be standing. Each watch has its own preset timelimit that you have to get qualified. There are penalties if you don't get qualified in time, so alot of people find themselves either busting their ass in the beginning, or panicking come crunch time, trying to get it done. I remember the list of different watch quals was endless. There's always something more to be learned.

:)