Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Scrapin' the Bottom o' the Blogging Barrel IV


The Navy does things up right and proper, to include sending out engraved invitations for its ceremonies, as you can plainly see.  There's much to be said for tradition... even though it's a rare thing when I'll actually admit that, let alone say something/anything nice about the Company of Squids.

Now just to get back in character... I'm fresh out of Summer Whites.  As a matter of fact I don't recall ever being issued any of those.  Will I still be admitted if I wear my blues?  Gosh, I sure hope so.

16 comments:

  1. I can't believe you'll be on board the Little Rock!!! I spent most of my life in Little Rock!! Moved there after my Daddy laft active Navy and joined the Reserve.

    Having been born to the Navy (I just married into the Army!) and being immersed in Navy/Marines culture in New Orleans, I can verify that there's little like Navy tradition. It keeps everything real and makes you feel part of something larger than life.

    Since you're an AF guy, they'll probably let you get away with Blues. But there's nothing like Navy whites -- it must be something from my childhood and seeing my Daddy all dressed up in his whites that makes me want to swoon when I see a gaggle of young men decked out in whites.

    We expect lots and lots of pics!

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  2. Dress blues, new shined shoes... Take lots of pics so we can all drool.

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  3. I second Bag Blog.
    Please?
    Thank you!

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  4. ...it must be something from my childhood and seeing my Daddy all dressed up in his whites that makes me want to swoon when I see a gaggle of young men decked out in whites.

    You just confirmed what SN2 said in comments elsewhere on this subject: "The chicks dig 'em." Heh. Chicks dig blues, too. Just sayin'.

    Lou and KC: Oh, yes. There will be lotsa pics, you can count on that. ;-)

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  5. Dress White, Jumper. The girls loved them! Wore them for those twenty years!
    I do believe that the Dad of the new CO is entitled to pull his Blues out of the closet for such an occasion. That retired thing works.
    And you will notice that our changes of command are a very traditional and formal affair.

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  6. Of course they'll let you attend in your Air Force Blues. They'll need someone to open the car doors for the arriving dignitaries...

    Just kidding of course. All service uniforms are welcome.

    Re: Dress Whites. While I'm sure I cut a dashing figure in my choker whites, I hated wearing the damn things. Everything one came in contact with was the risk of black streak.

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  7. Buck, just wear your new duds. And if they give you any crap, call upon Mr. Pennington to straighten 'em out. It's his show, ya' know.

    Jeepers, you must be proud! Dang proud!

    And just to throw a folding chair in the ring, I really envy you guys. You, BR, ORPO, Moogie (even though she ain't a guy...obviously). When y'all talk about the uniform stuff, and the traditions, and the medals, and ribbons, and commendations, and the pomp & ceremonies of military life...

    Well, I'm just really envious. I never served. I REALLY wanted to, but there is a long story as to why I did not. I always feel like the left-handed weird Uncle Claude when military folks throw around their jargon. I love to read it, and to listen to it. Would really have liked to live it. I think.

    Sigh...

    Man...that was a weird Uncle Claude comment, huh?

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  8. Buck; Summer White for E-7 and above equivalent for zoomies would be your short sleeve shirt with ribbons.

    May as well be comfortable in the summer heat!

    I envy the fun and pride you will feel while watching the ceremony.

    Congratulations to your SN1.

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  9. Yep, Congrats.

    This doesn't mean he'll be a Penguins fan, does it? ;-)

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  10. Way cool. You already said there'd be pics, so no need for me to say that. So, just way cool.

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  11. Dress blues, dress whites - who cares?! It's a uniform, sharply creased and worn well - what more does a girl need?

    Oh...this wasn't about us girls...

    wv: wativer - whatever!

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  12. Your one and only chance to get some new, high quality silver-ware, Buck. When nobody's looking just slip into the Capt's cabin/quarters and help yourself to the ship's official silver service! :)

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  13. I do believe that the Dad of the new CO is entitled to pull his Blues out of the closet for such an occasion.

    Well, I went out and bought a whole new set, what with all my uniforms going to Goodwill in the way-back.

    They'll need someone to open the car doors for the arriving dignitaries...

    Heh... at last: a position I'm qualified for! I hear ya about your choker whites, too, BR. Or ANY whites, for that matter.

    L-Andy: We DO go on about this military stuff, don't we? But here's the strange thing: my civilian career was about 3/4 the length of my USAF career (22 yrs v. 16), is more recent, and I was much more successful in bid'niz than I was in the Air Force, by any yardstick. Yet I think of myself as an ol' sergeant first; bid'niz guy is a distant second.

    And about Uncle Claude... We, ALL of us, appreciate your interest and above all: your support. The fact you have skin in the game with your sons isn't lost on any of us. At all.

    Summer White for E-7 and above equivalent for zoomies would be your short sleeve shirt with ribbons.

    I could have saved some money if'n I'd have figgered that out up front. Or asked, even. But now that I've bought the get-up I'm damned sure gonna WEAR it, even if I WILL look somewhat out of place. SN1 will be in his blues too, but that might be just to make me feel comfortable. Heh.

    This doesn't mean he'll be a Penguins fan, does it? ;-)

    Yes, unfortunately. SN2 is kinda late to hockey compared to his Bro and I, but he never had the honor and privilege of living in Dee-troit. Still and even, both his brother and I are APPALLED. But then again: he IS Navy.

    Jim: Thank ya, Sir!

    Kris: Heh. And thanks!

    VX: I can see the headlines... ;-)

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  14. First, thanks everyone for the kind words...

    Kris: "Dress blues, dress whites - who cares?! It's a uniform,"
    There's a reason Hollywood chose Navy Whites for the leading man to wear in more than one movie, and NEVER chose the blue uniform. Nuff said.

    There will be lots of pics; I've assigned photograher duty to two of my four daughters and I'm supremely confident my father will take a shot or two. And we will have the Command photographer taking pics as well.

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  15. ...There's a reason Hollywood chose Navy Whites for the leading man to wear in more than one movie, and NEVER chose the blue uniform.

    Heh. You puppy, you. "Never" is a strong word. Leave us remember Jimmy Stewart in "Strategic Air Command" and Gregory Peck in "Twelve O'Clock High." There are more (including lotsa POW movies where US Army Air Corps flyers were the heroes... remember Steve McQueen?) but we won't spend valuable time with google to drag up more examples.

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  16. Back in that day... they were the Army Air Corps, not the men in Blue.
    I'll concede never is too strong a word... but it's fairly accurate.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask.