To be clear - my admiration of Navy radiomen is extreme - I was raised by a Navy radioman (Chief Warrant Office 4) and he had me copying and sending 18 WPM code groups fast when I was 11 years old.  

Anyway, a fellow recently claimed that in 1986, in the Navy "International Morse Code Operator School," he and other students had to be able to SEND at 28 WPM on a straight key. 

28 WPM on an SK could win championships - I managed 26 WPM on mixed groups (in a contest), and it required months of training and was very demanding. I suspect the fellow is suffering from memory magnifications (the fish we catch - and the ones that get away - both grow larger as time passes). My recollection is that the RM3 rating required closer to 18 than 28.

But I prefer facts to recollections. So, a couple of questions. 

1. Do any of you know or have access to the actual  "quals" or "performance standards" for the Navy schools or ratings? 

2. Do you know the requirements to be issued a "speed key" certificate? My understanding is that there was no official requirement, but that it was done somewhat ad hoc on a unit-by-unit basis.

Thanks for the bandwidth.

73 Chris NW6V