Uniforms

C077/K051 Feb 21 – Apr 25 1990

One thing that can be said is we sure did look stylish in our uniforms. That first morning it did feel a little awkward showing up at the Galley in civilian clothes. Talk about making a target for hazing.

We learned the term RIF was not something to be proud of. I even think they sat us with a senior company just so we could get made fun of.

After we returned to the RIF are we started to get our new clothes. The first thing we had to do was get rid of our civilian items. Those were sent home in a big box. Not sure if anyone could not fit their items in that box. I know the bag I took with me was almost too big, but I got it in there. Those new dungarees STUNK!!!

That morning we had to get our first issue and get it stenciled. I also recall we had to have the fit checked by some ladies.

Being totally exhausted and that stink of the uniforms made for a horrible day. I also recall it was a humid day. Odd, a humid day in central Florida.

Stenciling was just horrible. Getting the proper stencil in the appropriate place on all of those clothes. What a bear. All the while, our junior CC stood there, instructing us. Then as we would get one done, we held it up like happy little schoolboys. The worst items to stencil were t-shirts and underwear. They liked to stretch far too much. The Dungarees were pretty straightforward. That was one item you did not want to mess up. If you did, line through it and do it over.  We were told continuously all stencils were inspectable. I did find that out in our dungaree inspection.

We also had to learn how to dress correctly. That was even difficult for some people. My most significant problem was getting my boondockers shiny. I could get them a nice overall black glossy finish, but I could never get that kick as shine some of the guys could get.

By the time the second issue was done, we were pretty good about being able to dress and stencil. Again we had to have our uniforms fit and tailored for us. I had the worst time getting my Peacoat to fit correctly. The ladies had to do some severe alterations to it, so mine arrived a little later.

After we returned to our compartment, we had to make sure everything was hung correctly or folded. Again it was emphasized that everything in the compartment was inspectable at any time. One instance that illustrated this for us was another companies error. There was a button on the inside of the raincoat that I think had to be buttoned. That particular company had its wrong. Everyone failed their dress inspection because of it. The inspector checked one, and when found it wrong, checked the whole company. Needless to say, that point was drilled into our heads.

We had to practice getting dressed in various uniforms. One other point we were told was this. WINTER WORKING BULES!!! DO NOT CALL THEM JOHNNY CASH!!! One company drew that for their inspection and put on the wrong uniform, all UNSAT.

I believe our RMAA rolled and tied all of our neckerchiefs for the Dress Whites and Dress Blues. I hate to admit this, but I could not tie a tie until boot camp. Hell, it's so darn easy to do can’t believe I never learned before. I let my dad do it for me.

Dungarees, Summer Working White, Summer Dress White, Winter Working Blue, and Winter Dress Blue. We had to master 5 of these. Piece of cake. Just put it on. Well, line up your gig line. Have your tie tied correctly. Have your shoes polished. Have your cover correct. On top of that, your rack and locker had to be squared away as dod your hanging items.

Yeah, we spent a good deal of time learning to dress correctly. Oh, learning knots, chain of command, and General Orders. All while keeping your military bearing while the asshat on the opposite side of the compartment laughs at you.

I am not going to comment on the uniforms they have today. Well, I do like the pipping on the dress whites. But that is all I am saying.

As for uniforms during my time. I liked the Winter Working Bles the best. Easy to wear and keep clean, with a lint roller. The Summer working whites were a pain. Far too easy to get dirty. I wore my dress Whites far more than I ever wore my dress blues. I wore my dress blues twice while in the Navy, not counting boot camp. The last time at my Med Board in San Diego.

Dungarees, I preferred the short sleeve version. Always had a long sleeve fire retardant in the oil lab for GQ drills or for on deck helo refueling. Never officially had to wear the watch cap or sweater after boot camp either. At Great Lakes, we did wear the watch cap all the time, but it was never an official uniform of the day. That wind coming off the lake was brutal, heading back to our barracks after hot plant.

Never wore the raincoat other than in boot camp. Wore my working jacket a good deal. Onboard our destroyer, I switched to one of those green foul weather jackets. Mine came from the USS Wisconsin. It was heavy and warn. Sure did appreciate it the evening we refueled with a British tanker just after crossing the Arctic Circle.

My boondockers hung with me until just before we left on Med 1-92. They were replaced with a pair of far better boots. I had them in the bag we kept our shower stuff in, but they disappeared one day. I quickly replaced my dress shoes with a pair of shiny patent leather shoes.

One thing that drives me nuts is watching movies with sailors in them. Some times their uniforms are so UNSAT.

I also loved getting to a ship, ball caps! Never did like the white hat.

I totally forgot this part. I also learned to iron on boot camp. That skill has stayed with me today and is very important. I remember while I was on hold at AT land how people took their summer whites to the cleaners and had them starched. Heck no! I liked mine pressed, but no starch. 


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