Of late we have read much discussion on the subject of proposed changes in uniform for enlisted men. The pros and cons have bandied words in the living compartments of our ships and in unofficial publications like Our Navy. The resultant “polls” seem overwhelmingly in favor of a traditionally “bluejacket” type of uniform for the enlisted men below the CPO ratings. Most officers seem pleased, and rightly so, as this expression of opinion by the men reflects their pride in their service and its distinctive uniform. Very recently, the wardrooms have begun to talk uniform, too. And the wardroom talk has had its interesting angles. No one officer can solve our uniform problem by a few written words, so this article will merely set forth a few observations, both my own and the views of others, in the hope that they will stimulate comments and opinions which may prove of use or general interest to the service.
History fully justifies the value and necessity of officers’ uniforms as instruments of discipline and morale. Smartness in uniform and military courtesy are the marks of a well- trained professional who takes pride in his service and himself.
But today we must consider certain economic and social factors which are definite influences toward changes, as well as those which incline us toward a return to pre-war uniform standards and ideas.
Financially, the influence is toward simplification and modernization. Today many junior officers are on the permanent list of the Regular Navy who did not start their commissioned service with a full outfit. They did not have the money that an Academy graduate must save for such purposes during his four years as a Midshipman. And many of these junior officers are married and have children. They actually cannot afford to buy all the various uniforms and appurtenances that were required before the war.
The cost of a full, required pre-war uniform outfit, of presentable quality, would exceed $1,600.00 at today’s prices! Is it fair to expect a married junior officer to put out that much money in one lump? Would Congress consider granting each commissioned officer a uniform allowance of anything like that amount for his initial outfit?
In this connection, remember that many of the Regular Navy junior officers of the future will come from civilian colleges (NROTC) under the Holloway Plan. The recurrent problem of an initial full outfit of uniforms must be met by these increments year after year.
Thus we see that financial considerations alone are a very strong influence toward simplification and modernization of officers’ uniforms.
Social trends also mitigate to the same end. The general public and Congress are inclined to look with a critical eye upon such anachronisms as frock coats, cocked hats, and boat cloaks. These items of uniform seem, to those unversed in Naval history and tradition, to be somewhat out of step with a Navy of guided missiles, atomic bombs, and other modern developments in ships and aircraft.
Opposed to the social and economic influences that call for simplification and modernization, we find two principal factors. The first, and probably most important, is that of international protocol and diplomatic usage. The second is the need for dress or formal wear in connection with domestic and inter-service ceremonies. While due weight must be given to the importance and value of ceremonial dress for proper and fitting occasions, why shouldn’t the United States Navy lead the way in simplifying and modernizing the various dress and evening uniforms? Surely the prestige of the Navy cannot be injured in the public eye by such a step. No nation or foreign Navy can look down upon our Service because of such a step. In fact, we would probably set the style for our British cousins and the rest of the world.
Nor would such a step in any way injure discipline or morale in our own Service.
In discussing this question, I have been lucky enough to receive the opinions of a considerable and varied “cross section” of commissioned officers ranging in rank from Rear Admiral to Ensign, and including Naval Academy graduates, former enlisted men, and former Reserve officers. Opinions were varied and interesting.
While no actual tally was maintained, the conclusions of the majority definitely indicated that:
(1) Frock coat and cocked hat should be abolished
(2) Boatcloak should be abolished
(3) Evening dress coat should be abolished
(4) Mess jacket should be abolished
(5) Blue waistcoat should be abolished
(6) The sword should be retained for ceremonial occasions in preference to a dirk.
In view of the six conclusions above, the following paragraphs suggest themselves.
In lieu of Full Dress, Blue, substitute the Service Dress Blue sack coat, epaulets, decorations, large medals and badges, full dress trousers, undress belt, sword, white gloves, black shoes. The visored cap is indicated with whichever cover would be seasonal or prescribed.
Dress, Blue, would be the same as Full Dress Blue, except for the substitution of service blue trousers and grey gloves.
Undress, Blue, would be the same as Dress Blue except that ribbons would be worn and epaulets left off.
Service Dress, Blue, would be as at present prescribed.
Extending this line of reasoning, if epaulets and large medals were removed or attached to a Service Dress Blue sack coat on occasion, an officer would have at least one such coat without ribbons sewn on. As that coat aged to a point where replacement became desirable, the retaining loops for epaulets could be removed and the ribbons sewn in place. With the versatility of this coat in mind, why not extend its use to the realm of evening dress?
Evening Full Dress, Blue, could consist of Service Dress Blue sack coat, epaulets, miniatures of medals, decorations, and badges, full dress trousers, undress belt, sword, white gloves, and black patent leather shoes. A standing wing collar and white bow tie might complete the outfit.
Evening Dress, Blue, could be the same as Evening Full Dress Blue, except that the epaulets and sword could be left off.
Dinner Dress, Blue, might consist simply of the present undress blue uniform with the addition of miniatures of medals, decorations, and badges, and a black bow tie and grey gloves. With this uniform, a detachable turned-down collar should be worn.
The variations named above would seem to be adequate for any occasion where blues are worn. Now we turn to whites.
Full Dress, White, could consist of white coat, epaulets, decorations, large medals and badges, white service trousers, white cap, undress belt, sword, white gloves, and white shoes.
Dress, White, could be the same as Full Dress, White, except for the substitution of shoulder marks for epaulets.
Undress, White, could be the same as Dress, White, except that ribbons would be worn in lieu of decorations, medals, and badges.
Service Dress, White, would be the same uniform now prescribed.
Evening Full Dress, White, would consist of service white coat, epaulets, miniatures of medals, decorations, and badges, full dress blue trousers, undress belt, sword, white gloves, black patent leather shoes.
Evening Dress, White, would be the same as Evening Full Dress White, except that the sword and belt would be omitted and epaulets replaced by shoulder marks.
Dinner Dress, White, would substitute either service blue or service white trousers for the full dress trousers. Black or white shoes would depend on the trousers prescribed.
No discussion on the subject of uniform has brought forth any suggestion of change in the khaki work uniform or the aviation greens.
The uniforms described above would adequately cover any occasion and would save the individual officer a great deal of money. The Government would benefit, too, in reduced shipping costs and living space aboard ship.
To make reference easier, a table has been devised which will give ready reference to the items worn with the various uniforms listed above. The hat designation has been purposely omitted, as the standard visored cap, with the blue or white cover as appropriate, would be worn with all of them. The belt designation is likewise omitted, as all proposed uniforms call for the present undress belt worn under the coat.
The aiguillettes would be worn according to present usage, but the regulation regarding the wearing of all large medals overlapping on one line should be modified so that not more than six be worn on one line. The senior ones in excess of that number should be worn above the basic line which would be located as now prescribed. Not more than six miniatures should be worn on one line, and miniatures should not be overlapped nor worn on the lapel except with civilian clothes.
In conclusion, the proposed uniforms set forth above will undoubtedly cause considerable discussion. I hope they do. Through the pages of the Proceedings we may then discover what the Navy’s officers really want in the way of uniforms.
Articles of the Prescribed Uniforms for Commissioned Offcers |
|||||||||||
Uniform |
Coat |
Epaulet |
Shldr. Marks |
Medals |
Ribbons |
Trousers |
Swords |
Gloves |
Shoes |
Collar |
Tie |
Full Dress: |
|||||||||||
Blue |
Blue |
Yes |
|
Large |
|
Full Dress |
Yes |
White |
Black |
Turn Down |
Black |
White |
White |
Yes |
|
Large |
|
White |
Yes |
White |
White |
|
|
Dress: |
|||||||||||
Blue |
Blue Sack |
Yes |
|
Large |
|
Plain Blue |
Yes |
Grey |
Black |
Turn Down |
Black |
White |
White |
|
Yes |
Large |
|
White |
Yes |
White |
White |
|
|
Undress: |
|||||||||||
Blue |
Blue Sack |
|
|
|
Yes |
Plain Blue |
Yes |
Grey |
Black |
Turn Down |
Black |
White |
White |
|
Yes |
|
Yes |
White |
Yes |
White |
White |
|
|
Service Dress: |
|||||||||||
Blue |
Blue Sack |
|
|
|
Yes |
Plain |
|
Grey* |
Black |
Turn Down |
Black |
White |
White |
|
Yes |
|
Yes |
White |
|
White* |
White |
|
|
Evening Full Dress: |
|||||||||||
Blue |
Blue Sack |
Yes |
|
Miniature |
|
Full Dress |
Yes |
White |
Black Patent |
Standing Wing |
White Bow |
White |
White |
Yes |
|
Miniature |
|
Full Dress |
Yes |
White |
Black Patent |
|
|
Evening Dress: |
|||||||||||
Blue |
Blue Sack |
|
|
Miniature |
|
Full Dress |
|
White |
Black Patent |
Standing Wing |
White Bow |
White |
White |
|
Yes |
Miniature |
|
Full Dress |
|
White |
Black Patent |
|
|
Dinner Dress: |
|||||||||||
Blue |
Blue Sack |
|
|
Miniature |
|
Plain Blue |
|
Grey |
Black Patent |
Turn Down |
Black Bow |
White |
White |
|
Yes |
Miniature |
|
Plain Blue or White |
|
White |
Black Patent or White |
|
|
*With Service Dress uniforms, gloves to be worn only when prescribed. |