Comments on: Goodbye Tradition… http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/ Just another Navy guy writing his story... Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:40:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Sonar Ninja http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-185 Sonar Ninja Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:40:17 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-185 And one more thing, since we're on the subject of uniforms: Crackerjacks. Worst. Uniform. EVER. And one more thing, since we’re on the subject of uniforms:

Crackerjacks.

Worst. Uniform. EVER.

]]> By: Sonar Ninja http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-184 Sonar Ninja Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:36:05 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-184 I like these new uniforms, I wish they had been thought of back when I was in. To anyone whining about E6-below wearing khakis, there's no mistaking these "peanut butter cups" for anything other than E6 and below. Without even knowing rank, anyone can see from miles away that these aren't chiefs or officers. That distinction remains 100% crystal-clear and intact, so what else is there to fuss about? I like these new uniforms, I wish they had been thought of back when I was in. To anyone whining about E6-below wearing khakis, there’s no mistaking these “peanut butter cups” for anything other than E6 and below. Without even knowing rank, anyone can see from miles away that these aren’t chiefs or officers. That distinction remains 100% crystal-clear and intact, so what else is there to fuss about?

]]> By: HT2Aubrey http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-182 HT2Aubrey Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:52:34 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-182 I always thought the dungaree (or prison) uniform should have been trashed for BDUs but the 1930's hitler youth brown shirt uniform c'mon I always thought the dungaree (or prison) uniform should have been trashed for BDUs but the 1930′s hitler youth brown shirt uniform c’mon

]]> By: Jim Andersopn http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-154 Jim Andersopn Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:52:42 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-154 I served in 1965 until 1970. I was proud to wear the "Cracker Jack" uniform and always thought it was unique. It wasn't long after I got out that the Navy launched one of it's uniform changes. They designed a Class A uniform which made the enlisted man look like a ticket taker at Disneyland. Now, I see that some pencil heads are trying to turn the Navy into the "Chair Force". Isn't there some kind of test that can be administered to keep the wannabes out of the Navy? I served in 1965 until 1970. I was proud to wear the “Cracker Jack” uniform and always thought it was unique. It wasn’t long after I got out that the Navy launched one of it’s uniform changes. They designed a Class A uniform which made the enlisted man look like a ticket taker at Disneyland.
Now, I see that some pencil heads are trying to turn the Navy into the “Chair Force”. Isn’t there some kind of test that can be administered to keep the wannabes out of the Navy?

]]> By: MM3nowanLT http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-151 MM3nowanLT Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:03 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-151 (I've been out for 11 years and am now in an officer program becoming a naval medical officer - so this was a surprise to me). (I’ve been out for 11 years and am now in an officer program becoming a naval medical officer – so this was a surprise to me).

]]> By: MM3nowanLT http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-150 MM3nowanLT Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:52:59 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-150 How much money does the military spend on new uniforms being made all the time? Seriously, I loved having my Machinists Mate Insignia on my sleeves. It was the one thing that distinguished us from the other services, I could tell exactly who you were, how long you've been in, whether you've behaved yourself or to captains mast in the last 12 years, if you've been to sea, across the equator - engineering is different from deck division - and now - well - rubber stamp everyone and throw them out. The whites were nice in the summer, the broadfall trousers (AKA bellbottoms) were pretty easy to maintain and were comfortable in all the very hot tropical/desert climates I was stationed in but I didn't really like the Johnny Cash's with the Luftwaffe garrisson cap - though I thought the dixie cup was better. I don't *really* mind the khaki working uniforms though in terms of being earned and the junior ranks not earning them. During my enlisted years I saw so many chiefs who looked like idiots in their khakis with their hats all scrunched up, either too large or too small....I don't know....it just seemed like the chiefs went to pot when they got their khakis so many times. But at the same time, there's a LOT of tradition there.....gone.... I haven't seen what the rating insignia will be for E-2/E-3 though. Will they be colored for Airman/Constructionman/Fireman/Seaman still on the sleeve? Or just no insignia worn? What's up with the BDU's now too? Are you gong to wear that on land as well for security details? I mean, who needs to be camoflaged out at sea? And how are you going to take cover (having had to take cover personally a few times) when you're blue and everything else is green/tan? (love military intelligence). Seriously though - that's a lot of tradition lost. Now I find suddenly I have a bunch of antiques hanging in my closet - maybe I can "grant" them to a naval museum (I never could just bag them up). Or, will this just be the "fall collection" and we'll wait for the new "spring catalog collection" to come out next year while summer fashions are being announced by the CNO who keeps us in the latest fashions? I wonder if these will go the way of the Salt N Peppers or Zumwalt uniforms.... How much money does the military spend on new uniforms being made all the time?

Seriously, I loved having my Machinists Mate Insignia on my sleeves. It was the one thing that distinguished us from the other services, I could tell exactly who you were, how long you’ve been in, whether you’ve behaved yourself or to captains mast in the last 12 years, if you’ve been to sea, across the equator – engineering is different from deck division – and now – well – rubber stamp everyone and throw them out. The whites were nice in the summer, the broadfall trousers (AKA bellbottoms) were pretty easy to maintain and were comfortable in all the very hot tropical/desert climates I was stationed in but I didn’t really like the Johnny Cash’s with the Luftwaffe garrisson cap – though I thought the dixie cup was better.

I don’t *really* mind the khaki working uniforms though in terms of being earned and the junior ranks not earning them. During my enlisted years I saw so many chiefs who looked like idiots in their khakis with their hats all scrunched up, either too large or too small….I don’t know….it just seemed like the chiefs went to pot when they got their khakis so many times. But at the same time, there’s a LOT of tradition there…..gone….

I haven’t seen what the rating insignia will be for E-2/E-3 though. Will they be colored for Airman/Constructionman/Fireman/Seaman still on the sleeve? Or just no insignia worn?

What’s up with the BDU’s now too? Are you gong to wear that on land as well for security details? I mean, who needs to be camoflaged out at sea? And how are you going to take cover (having had to take cover personally a few times) when you’re blue and everything else is green/tan? (love military intelligence).

Seriously though – that’s a lot of tradition lost.

Now I find suddenly I have a bunch of antiques hanging in my closet – maybe I can “grant” them to a naval museum (I never could just bag them up). Or, will this just be the “fall collection” and we’ll wait for the new “spring catalog collection” to come out next year while summer fashions are being announced by the CNO who keeps us in the latest fashions?

I wonder if these will go the way of the Salt N Peppers or Zumwalt uniforms….

]]> By: YN1 down in Pensacola http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-148 YN1 down in Pensacola Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:28:18 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-148 I love BDU's, but these digitals give me a headache. They're idiotic too. You're on board a ship or on a shore station. The vast majority of sailors are NOT hand-to-hand soldiers. Who are you going to hide from?! And if you are in a special combat unit, you're going to be wearing anything OTHER than blue digitals. You're probably going to wear whatever the Marines are wearing. So what's the use of giving these blue digitals to sailors? Just make it harder to find them if they fall overboard because otherwise this camoflage pattern will never come into play. So it's more of a fashion statement, I think, by a bunch of officers and their yes-men to look more "army-like". Ugh. BDU's? Love them. But come up with something different than these digitals. I love the idea behind the working uniform. Much easier to take care of. But I'd rather we kept the rank on the sleeve along with the rate insignia. Hey, I had to work to earn that thing. I want to wear it. I love BDU’s, but these digitals give me a headache. They’re idiotic too. You’re on board a ship or on a shore station. The vast majority of sailors are NOT hand-to-hand soldiers. Who are you going to hide from?! And if you are in a special combat unit, you’re going to be wearing anything OTHER than blue digitals. You’re probably going to wear whatever the Marines are wearing. So what’s the use of giving these blue digitals to sailors? Just make it harder to find them if they fall overboard because otherwise this camoflage pattern will never come into play. So it’s more of a fashion statement, I think, by a bunch of officers and their yes-men to look more “army-like”. Ugh.

BDU’s? Love them. But come up with something different than these digitals.

I love the idea behind the working uniform. Much easier to take care of. But I’d rather we kept the rank on the sleeve along with the rate insignia. Hey, I had to work to earn that thing. I want to wear it.

]]> By: JIMMIE http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-130 JIMMIE Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:14:14 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-130 I am a retired E-6 and not because I couldn't qualify for the higher rank of E-7 or above. The reason is that I took the Exam 10 times and scored in the top 5 % each and every time. There was NO openings. I do believe that the new uniform will surely out last any summer white uniform. Therefore, it will be much more cost effective. Plus, allow easier stowage aboard ship. Chiefs, this is only a shirt. You still wear Khaki pants but, remember we all put our pants on the same way. I am a retired E-6 and not because I couldn’t qualify for the higher rank of E-7 or above. The reason is that I took the Exam 10 times and scored in the top 5 % each and every time. There was NO openings. I do believe that the new uniform will surely out last any summer white uniform. Therefore, it will be much more cost effective. Plus, allow easier stowage aboard ship. Chiefs, this is only a shirt. You still wear Khaki pants but, remember we all put our pants on the same way.

]]> By: DOC (FMF) MCGEE http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-127 DOC (FMF) MCGEE Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:22:25 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-127 I don't like the new service uniform. I'm proud to be a corpsman, and i like wearing my patch. In addition to that we look to much like marines, I'm a Sailor and thats what I want to look like. Subordinates work hard to earn khakis, and to wear them is an honor and a privilege. I feel it takes away from the value. These new and young Sailors think its entertaining that they get saluted and greeted as officers, you are enlisted you should be proud of it. Be proud to correct someone and tell them you are enlisted. URR! STAY MOTIVATED I don’t like the new service uniform. I’m proud to be a corpsman, and i like wearing my patch. In addition to that we look to much like marines, I’m a Sailor and thats what I want to look like. Subordinates work hard to earn khakis, and to wear them is an honor and a privilege. I feel it takes away from the value. These new and young Sailors think its entertaining that they get saluted and greeted as officers, you are enlisted you should be proud of it. Be proud to correct someone and tell them you are enlisted.
URR! STAY MOTIVATED

]]> By: michelle a http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-125 michelle a Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:37:45 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-125 i do not like the new uniform.the fit just brings up bad/unfavorable comments from guys.it is not very comfortable hearing what guys have to say to you or behind your back when you're wearing the uniform all day at work. i do not like the new uniform.the fit just brings up bad/unfavorable comments from guys.it is not very comfortable hearing what guys have to say to you or behind your back when you’re wearing the uniform all day at work.

]]> By: DriK http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-123 DriK Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:32:58 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-123 How much tradition do we need? How much tradition do we have left. The uniforms are all being changed around from how they were for the last century, everything is being considered hazing. We have almost no tradition anymore, and I mean real tradition that made the Navy great. When I crossed the equator, when it was over I asked myself, was that it? Sorry, I guess I haven't spent much time behind a desk to wear my service and dress uniforms often. I guess it is a real chore for you to have a set cleaned a week, during the whites season anyways. And I think you are the first person to mention break outs due to the collar on the working blues. Is that really an epidemic? And guess what? Those pants that are painfully tight, both blue and white ones were tight, but those blue ones don't go away with the new service uniform. Enjoy the tightness! I can agree that the Khakis have their priorities pretty messed up when it comes to what the younger guys really want. But those who's jobs are specific in this, they could have chosen a different color for the top. The blue one's were not really that bad. How much tradition do we need? How much tradition do we have left. The uniforms are all being changed around from how they were for the last century, everything is being considered hazing. We have almost no tradition anymore, and I mean real tradition that made the Navy great. When I crossed the equator, when it was over I asked myself, was that it? Sorry, I guess I haven’t spent much time behind a desk to wear my service and dress uniforms often. I guess it is a real chore for you to have a set cleaned a week, during the whites season anyways. And I think you are the first person to mention break outs due to the collar on the working blues. Is that really an epidemic? And guess what? Those pants that are painfully tight, both blue and white ones were tight, but those blue ones don’t go away with the new service uniform. Enjoy the tightness!

I can agree that the Khakis have their priorities pretty messed up when it comes to what the younger guys really want. But those who’s jobs are specific in this, they could have chosen a different color for the top. The blue one’s were not really that bad.

]]> By: Jason http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Jason Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:40:27 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-119 Oh, and one other thing, for the Chiefs that are complaining about the khaki shirt: first of all, it's just a shirt, not the full uniform. Second, I have seen way too many Chiefs that think the khaki uniform means a lot more than it does. IMO, there are a lot of Chiefs that need to be more worried about being a good leader and mentor rather than whether their uniform is enough of a status symbol. Get your priorities straight. Oh, and one other thing, for the Chiefs that are complaining about the khaki shirt: first of all, it’s just a shirt, not the full uniform. Second, I have seen way too many Chiefs that think the khaki uniform means a lot more than it does. IMO, there are a lot of Chiefs that need to be more worried about being a good leader and mentor rather than whether their uniform is enough of a status symbol. Get your priorities straight.

]]> By: Jason http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-118 Jason Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:36:07 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-118 I'm all for tradition, but how much of it do we really need? If, like me, you are required to wear the working blues/whites on a daily basis I think you would have a different opinion. We still have the dress blues and dress whites, which are what the general public thinks of when they think of US Sailors anyway. And those are great for special occasions or ceremonies. Why do we need two other "traditional" Navy uniforms for everyday wear in an office environment? The blues are obscenely uncomfortable- painfully tight in the crotch and causing terrible breakouts on the neck for a lot of guys. The whites require you to keep 5 or more sets if you wear them on a daily basis. I don't think it's too much to ask to compromise by keeping the tradition of the dress uniforms and yet allowing a good-looking, comfortable service uniform for those of us that have to wear them everyday. I'm 110% behind all of the uniform changes! I’m all for tradition, but how much of it do we really need? If, like me, you are required to wear the working blues/whites on a daily basis I think you would have a different opinion. We still have the dress blues and dress whites, which are what the general public thinks of when they think of US Sailors anyway. And those are great for special occasions or ceremonies. Why do we need two other “traditional” Navy uniforms for everyday wear in an office environment? The blues are obscenely uncomfortable- painfully tight in the crotch and causing terrible breakouts on the neck for a lot of guys. The whites require you to keep 5 or more sets if you wear them on a daily basis. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to compromise by keeping the tradition of the dress uniforms and yet allowing a good-looking, comfortable service uniform for those of us that have to wear them everyday.

I’m 110% behind all of the uniform changes!

]]> By: Nick Flynn http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Nick Flynn Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:01:29 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-106 I think the New Service Uniform great! Now when sailors are off duty, they can moonlight as Mall Cops! Or when a member of the confused public asks them what service their in, they can respond that their Marines! Believe me, nobody will know the difference! I think the New Service Uniform great! Now when sailors are off duty, they can moonlight as Mall Cops! Or when a member of the confused public asks them what service their in, they can respond that their Marines! Believe me, nobody will know the difference!

]]> By: RSimon http://www.thedeckplates.com/2008/07/goodbye-tradition/comment-page-1/#comment-105 RSimon Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:39:28 +0000 http://www.thedeckplates.com/?p=35#comment-105 I like the Johnny Cash's better. I juss wish they had the option of wearing ties. I like the Johnny Cash’s better. I juss wish they had the option of wearing ties.

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