The Deck Department is a reference to a division on a United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine vessel that is comprised of sailors who perform maintenance and upkeep on the ship ("chippers and painters," as they are commonly referred to) and are knowledgeable in basic seamanship. Undesignated seamen, or those who have not selected a rating (e.g. job or vocation), are normally the most junior sailors onboard and are usually sent to the Deck Department for their first tour of duty.