by Jack
My Grandson is enlisted in the Navy and deploys for basic in about 6 weeks. I just had some uniform questions if anyone out here happens to know? First. can the old Dixie cup be squared? We did that back in the late 60’s. I wore mine rolled square with wings, but from pictures it doesn’t seem like todays sailors can do that. Is it against regs to roll the top of brim or square it with wings now? Next, have they done away with leggings as used by color guards?
The new Navy service uniform sure looks a lot like the Marine’s uniform, except the pants are black not blue. Looks nice. When would one normally wear the service uniform, for instance is it a Class A?
Last question, how long is basic and does the time depend on whether or not you are going to “A” training. I’ve heard 7-9 weeks.
My firsthand knowledge of Navy life is about 25 yrs out of date. I can tell you when I was in boot, it was eight weeks long and then you either went to a class A school or you went to apprenticeship training (airman, fireman or seaman). The apprenticeship training lasted four weeks. A schools could last a year depending on the school.
The only time I had leggings was in boot. The squaring of hats was old school and we didn’t do it but you could roll the top edge out. I think squaring went out with black hats.
The Navy has lost it’s mind with regard to it’s uniforms.
Jack, I didn’t know you were ever in the Navy, what was your rating? I guess you really do learn something new every day.
Oh one other bit of old info. When I was in, the Navy had three boot camps, Great Lakes, San Diego and Orlando. Great Lakes is now the only one and by the way the one I attended. I hope I never see that place or Chicago ever again.
Make sure to drill the general orders and ss# into your recruits head before he leaves for boot.
Toby, I was just an engineman, part of the black gang (USNR). I think they call these ratings EN-ATFs now. (For you non-sea going types, someone in the black gang is anyone who works in the engine room of a ship. Thought I better make that clear.) I worked several low jobs, no pun intended, engineering yoeman (ships small stores were located next to the engine room), but mostly I was an engineman. that said, my real duty was mostly painting, chipping paint and more painting. I should have been called a painter! Although there was always some work to be done with steam/fuel/water/ valves and lines. Also assisted as needed during refueling. One of the rare times I got to be on the main deck. Then when that was over, it was back down below to more painting, more chipping, etc. I was on an old ship left over from WWII and didn’t have many amenities, like no A/C. It was really hot and humid down there! Oh, and it involved a lot of mopping and floor polishing too. (I became an expert mopper/polisher thanks to the Navy) But, the good part was not many officers wandered into my work area so I was pretty much left alone to do my daily work assignments and I was happy about that.
Oh you were a snipe (little animal with red eyes that avoids the sun) lol. I started out as a deck ape in 1st div. Chipping, painting, stripping, waxing and polishing brightwork. I went to the striker board and became a BMSN. Hard work but looking back I would not have changed a thing. You get from the service what you need.