Crackerjacks.

Worst. Uniform. EVER.

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….

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.

Anyway, yup, I’ve dealt with a brand new LPO who’s
on a power drunk-on and overcompensating in their new
billet as the LPO. Hopefully your LPO will learn how to trust
and communicate with you and all your E1s-E3s and 3rds.
What she needs to do is allow you to do your job. If something
gets dicked up that your division is responsible for then it should
be only be your ass that gets chewed. She doesn’t need to micro
manage both you and your crew. That’s a waste of time and energy.

Yeah, I’ve dealt with the same BS. When I tell my LPO that I have
everything under control, then that should be the end of it. I don’t
need him looking over the shoulder of one of my E3s who’s already
demonstrated how to use a grittle flat top and not burn & dry out
the BBQ chops or how to boil/sautee crab legs in a 30gallon stainless
cauldron. If something fucks up in my galley, then come to me as you
plan my elaborate death. But leave my crew alone. Unless I come to
my LPO and indicate that its time for a sitdown session with one of
my E3s who’s just not cutting it, just leave it alone. It all boils down
to communication and a tit-bit of trust.

Your first scenario is horseshit. Yeah you’re right, she should not have
been sharp shooting you in front of brand new guys fresh out of A&C
schools. The “I dunno card” is nothing more than a pain in your ass.
Yup, been there done that. A big part of your job is to teach the
younglings how to do their job correctly and efficiently. Why else are
you wearing 2ndclass? I’ve walked up to my CS3s giving a class on
sanitation or even how to put out a grease fire. I don’t say a word.
I just listen to what is being said as I see the confused looks on the
newby’s faces. But I don’t interfere. That way I can relate to my LPO
that everything is fine. If there’s a problem, I’ll let ya know.
IT2 Drik, that is what your IT1 LPO needs to learn. She is not able to
trust the 2nd classes in your division. I’ve read quite a bit of your blog
here. It’s obvious you know what the fuck is up. You’re gonna have to
tell her to give you some breathing space so your crew isn’t flipping the
“I dunno card,” half the time.

Your 2nd scenario, It’s a matter of customer service. She needs to learn to talk to people like they are respectable sailors, and not treat them like they are recruits 1 day out of P week. My personal problems are not your fucking problems. Enuff said.

Scenario #3, so what? As long as I’m not intentionally looking up a site which contains 20 year old lesbian cheerleaders/strippers, there should be no problemo. One of our Frigates had this problem while back. Some of the younglings didn’t realize that “Girl on girl action sites” can be tracked through the firewall and your personal IP will be pinged and you will be found out and then you’ll subsequently answer for it at mast.
My point is that, alot of us do need non-DOD sites to pay bills. Cell phone, car loans, house payments, what ever. Our XO has specifically instructed the ITs to monitor what sites are being used. But he knows most of us have monthly bills. We’ve been given a wide amount of latitude regarding internet use. Just don’t look up anything that might be subversive to the DOD and NO PORN. If you do, you’ll pay for it dearly.
That includes opening any E-mail you receive inwhich you’re unsure of. In other words, if your cousin Harry, sends you a pic of Cindy Crawford naked, you don’t open it. The ITs on my ship have a pretty easy life for the most part. Something tells me your LPO wouldn’t last long here.

Drik, I would suggest talking to your LPO and let her know the problems she is inadvertently causing. If she can’t deal with it, then go to your Chief. I’ve been there done that. I just hope it all works out for you as well.

CS2 Ryan