Class A Boot Blousing

[RangerCharlie]

Since this is going to be done away with the new class A's, I was curious as to the history of this, when and where did it get started? WWII guys?

[Longrifle]

Since this is going to be done away with the new class A's,
WTF?? Is nothing sacred?:mad:

[RangerCharlie]

latest army times was stating low qtrs only

[EATIII]

And on top of that only SPC and below can wear the Beret (tan,green,red),
Cpl and above flat hat.so SF can only wear their Beret in ACU'S

[Viking]

And on top of that only SPC and below can wear the Beret (tan,green,red),
Cpl and above flat hat.so SF can only wear their Beret in ACU'S


I never heard that part! :rolleyes:

[EATIII]

I never heard that part! :rolleyes:
It is true,I'll find the link and post it.According to the new policy the Flat hat is to distinguish Nco's,and Officers.some Bs about a rite of passage.

I think the whole thing stinks to High Heaven,1st they give everyone the Black Beret to level the playing field,then I guess this is part two of lets f... Tradition!

[LRS Guy]

For what it worth, the practice started with the Airborne Test Platoon in 1940. It was another way to distingish them form the "dirty, nasty, smelly. slack-jawed, limp-wristed, legs".

[PsYcHo16]

I think the whole thing stinks to High Heaven,1st they give everyone the Black Beret to level the playing field,then I guess this is part two of lets f... Tradition!

Every uniform change that has come out in the last 5 years has all been a means to making the playing field level. We all look nice and pretty, dress right dress.......

I love people that are paid to do nothing more than make decisions based on what they think everyone else thinks.

[Greenhat]

Every uniform change that has come out in the last 5 years has all been a means to making the playing field level. We all look nice and pretty, dress right dress.......

I love people that are paid to do nothing more than make decisions based on what they think everyone else thinks.


General Pete Schoomaker was the guy who made the decision. I'd say that he's been there and done that.

[centermass]

I'm with EAT on this one.

Nothing like F'ing with tradition.

the Flat hat is to distinguish Nco's,and Officers.some Bs about a rite of passage.

I guess there's no longer any reason for leadership tabs either.......:confused:

[CATAtonic426]

General Pete Schoomaker was the guy who made the decision. I'd say that he's been there and done that.
Quite. Had to do something about that darn garrison hat, that thing is ridiculous.

[Greenhat]

For those who want to talk about tradition...

Leadership tabs have been around all of 30 years...

Berets all of 40....

Blousing boots all of 60....

The Blues have been around as THE Army uniform for over 150....

[Viking]

For those who want to talk about tradition...
Leadership tabs have been around all of 30 years...
Berets all of 40....
Blousing boots all of 60....
The Blues have been around as THE Army uniform for over 150....


I suppose we should go back to this then:
http://www.state.de.us/sos/dpa/graphics/collections/graphics/revolutionary%20war%20record/revguiderev-1.jpg


Nothing like a bedroll and a kick-ass hat!


.

[EATIII]

For those who want to talk about tradition...

Leadership tabs have been around all of 30 years...

Berets all of 40....

Blousing boots all of 60....

The Blues have been around as THE Army uniform for over 150....

When does Tradition start,you've just stated 60 years worth,if it is snuffed out,I guess it stops here. I say wrong answer,WHY should it stop,Their changing the Blues,lets incorporate the tradition's.They can wear a CAB then what the F...,

Doesn't anyone remember when you aspired to wear a uniform that was held in high esteem,Be it the Yankees Pin Stripe,#51 for Butkus,or a old 1st Batt scroll.

Then Lets just do away w/tradition,lineage and aspiring to be seen as a cut above the rest!

Edward A Tullin III

[GreenMeany 5]

Dumb! Just F@#*ing Dumb!

[0699]

I suppose we should go back to this then:
http://www.state.de.us/sos/dpa/graphics/collections/graphics/revolutionary%20war%20record/revguiderev-1.jpg


Nothing like a bedroll and a kick-ass hat!


.

That is a good looking hat. I say we bring it back. :cool:

[rgrdrew]

This might even be a sadder day than when the black berets were taken away. I understand Gen. Schoomaker has definitely BTDT, but still....DAMN!

[PsYcHo16]

To my knowlegde..........Gen. Shinseki was the one who blessed of on the black beret.

[CDRODA396]

And on top of that only SPC and below can wear the Beret (tan,green,red),
Cpl and above flat hat.so SF can only wear their Beret in ACU'S

Ok, so you dont get to wear your Green Beret once every 36-48 months when you actually put on your dress uniform:D ...except funerals, and no one is going to stop a funeral detail and tell them, "Hey you six knuckleheads, Put down that coffin and change your headgear, what were you thinking!" not even a crusty ole CSM!

[Longrifle]

Leadership tabs have been around all of 30 years...

I was wearing them well over 30 years ago.

And not that it matters at all, but I disagree with this "uniformity of the uniform" line of thinking. Do we see them doing away with the scrambled eggs, too? If rank matters, why not qualifications?

Keep the bloused trousers.

[Just Another Guy]

For what it worth, the practice started with the Airborne Test Platoon in 1940. It was another way to distingish them form the "dirty, nasty, smelly. slack-jawed, limp-wristed, legs".

Many years ago, I was corrected for using the "leg" term as derogatory. Political correctness had arrived and I was told to say "NAP" or Non-Airborne Personnel and that was OK.

So, LRS, your Political INCorrectness is showing. Oh hell, this message was a waste of time.

[Ole crusty bastard]

I never took offence at being called a "leg" and would always quickly correct some young pup that mistook the EOD Badge for Airborne Wings. I always tried to get along with the Mess Sgt. too. I remember when a Green Beret was placed on JFK's grave. There is a lot to be said for tradition and the pride that goes with it.

[Brian1/75]

Bah 82nd and 173rd might be screwed, but I can see all other airborne units pretty much screwing the standard and doing what they want when they wear dress uniform as long as it's uniformed within the unit.

[Snake]

Long past time.

Clothes (and modifications thereof) do not make good Soldiers.

The kind of guys we want are self-motivating and do not need a distinctive hat or mod to the uniform to make them feel better than their fellow Soldiers.

FWIW, I'll point out that some of the folks complaining (all over, not just here) are the same folks who said "It's just a hat" (re: Green beanie).

That said, I'm glad that GEN Schoomaker is putting a bullet in the head of the Greens. The Army, as a whole, deserves a uniform that they can be proud of. The new Blues will be a big step in the right direction.

Just no bowties. Please.

[PsYcHo16]

Long past time.

Clothes (and modifications thereof) do not make good Soldiers.

The kind of guys we want are self-motivating and do not need a distinctive hat or mod to the uniform to make them feel better than their fellow Soldiers.

FWIW, I'll point out that some of the folks complaining (all over, not just here) are the same folks who said "It's just a hat" (re: Green beanie).

That said, I'm glad that GEN Schoomaker is putting a bullet in the head of the Greens. The Army, as a whole, deserves a uniform that they can be proud of. The new Blues will be a big step in the right direction.

Just no bowties. Please.

Agreed snake.....

Although there are tons of bitches and gripes about the new uniforms that are coming out (I have made enough for a lifetime)

I think its just that whole adjustment process that we are going through, Its something that we will have to deal with, and after the uniforms are worn by the entire army, im sure we will start to see changes to the uniforms (i.e. sew on skill badges on ACU's and unit patches and jump boots with the class A's, as well as different headgear options)

[Attila175]

Bah 82nd and 173rd might be screwed, but I can see all other airborne units pretty much screwing the standard and doing what they want when they wear dress uniform as long as it's uniformed within the unit.

Welcome Brian. Please fill out your profile. It is a rule here. When were you in 1/75 and what company?

[tryxter]

For those who want to talk about tradition...

Leadership tabs have been around all of 30 years...

Berets all of 40....

Blousing boots all of 60....

The Blues have been around as THE Army uniform for over 150....

Single shot weapons and swords were around for a long time too. The truer statement is, it hasn't been THE Army uniform for over 150 years. Few compared to the greater Army have worn it since WWI or even the war with Spain. In all those years there has typically been one or more distinctive unit or Branch modifications or garnishments. There’ve been scarves, hats, helmets, boots, striping or piping, epaulettes and so on.

Lets make it real simple, no patches no difference in hats, no tabs, scrolls, badges or garnishments. Since all the services have worn one type of blues or another, incorporate the services into one police force so everyone can wear one type of blues for dress uniforms. That should fit the new elite "warrior" ethos and do away with all those expensive slogans but one and the need for different types of the same gear.

[CV]

Lets make it real simple, no patches no difference in hats, no tabs, scrolls, badges or garnishments.

"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon"
-Napoleon

I may have read you wrong but sometimes its the garnishments that make people go the extra mile to get badges/awards on their uniform. I don't think they should get rid of it. :cool:

[glassiam]

"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon"
-Napoleon

I may have read you wrong but sometimes its the garnishments that make people go the extra mile to get badges/awards on their uniform. I don't think they should get rid of it. :cool:

While I agree it shouldn't be changed, I'll disagree with the "fighting for ribbons" part. All I served with, myself included, did what we did for one another, our country and the cause. MHO.

[Greenhat]

Single shot weapons and swords were around for a long time too. The truer statement is, it hasn't been THE Army uniform for over 150 years. Few compared to the greater Army have worn it since WWI or even the war with Spain. In all those years there has typically been one or more distinctive unit or Branch modifications or garnishments. There’ve been scarves, hats, helmets, boots, striping or piping, epaulettes and so on.

Lets make it real simple, no patches no difference in hats, no tabs, scrolls, badges or garnishments. Since all the services have worn one type of blues or another, incorporate the services into one police force so everyone can wear one type of blues for dress uniforms. That should fit the new elite "warrior" ethos and do away with all those expensive slogans but one and the need for different types of the same gear.

Guess you haven't bothered to go look at the Old Guard in a while.

THE Army uniform. Yes, it has been.

[NightLandNav]

Ranger Rolls, Black beret, Tan beret, no difference, Rangers all.

Black will always The Black for me and my time, nothing adulterated in the slightest. Just like Tan is "Rangers" now. The new generations have made it so, just like every generation of Rangers before; it will always be the Rangers who make RLTW...not the uniform. And whatever uniform is worn by the Regiment; it will be THE badass version.

Now, if they start fucking around with the green...

Same as above...just faster

[tryxter]

Yes the primary wearers, the Old Guard, and Officers and senior NCOs and some for wedding photos, Washington, embassy parties, and the few worn at unit dining. The majority of the Army has been in other uniforms such as Greens when in dress for a long time. The Blues have been A uniform but I don't agree they've been THE uniform of the majority.

I've been looking at the rest of the Army on paydays and unit ceremonies, Division reviews and promotion folders.

I may have read you wrong but sometimes its the garnishments that make people go the extra mile to get badges/awards on their uniform. I don't think they should get rid of it.

I don't either. However the leadership seems to want to make believe the Army is fully all "warriors" and no group more elite than the others, and that the uniform should reflect that.

[skirmishline]

I wore bloused Corcorans with a maroon beret. If I had to pick I'd rather give up the beret than the bloused Corcorans. There's no reason they couldn't be worn with blues.

I think the Old Guard blouses their blues in trooper boots when horseback. With spurs no less. Will be done away with too?

[Greenhat]

Yes the primary wearers, the Old Guard, and Officers and senior NCOs and some for wedding photos, Washington, embassy parties, and the few worn at unit dining. The majority of the Army has been in other uniforms such as Greens when in dress for a long time. The Blues have been A uniform but I don't agree they've been THE uniform of the majority.

I've been looking at the rest of the Army on paydays and unit ceremonies, Division reviews and promotion folders.

THE uniform of the Army isn't about what is worn by the majority. The majority wears ACUs or BDUs. THE Uniform is about what is worn when it is necessary to represent the US Army. And for that, the uniform is, and has been for over 150 years, the Blues.

[Sabre07]

I wore bloused Corcorans with a maroon beret. If I had to pick I'd rather give up the beret than the bloused Corcorans. There's no reason they couldn't be worn with blues.

I think the Old Guard blouses their blues in trooper boots when horseback. With spurs no less. Will be done away with too?

I believe those are mounted trousers. A little more leg/thigh room, tapered through the calf and ankle.

[tryxter]

THE uniform of the Army isn't about what is worn by the majority. The majority wears ACUs or BDUs. THE Uniform is about what is worn when it is necessary to represent the US Army. And for that, the uniform is, and has been for over 150 years, the Blues.

The majority of the time the majority wear a battle or duty uniform yes, but this is about the dress uniform. All the times I traveled I represented the U.S. Army in Greens or summer uniform, never once traveled in blues. The imagery I find of events, news, travel, speaking, interviews, lectures and so on show soldiers in greens. The few times I see the Blue uniform it’s primarily with the ceremonial dress of the Old Guard and the Army Band.

Regardless it’s a done deal. Gone will be the bloused trousers. Gone will be unit shoulder patches, tabs, and scrolls, and NCOs and Officers will have the gold trouser stripe and bus driver hat. Gone will be distinctive headgear for Corporal and above.

It’ll be interesting to see the mix of bus driver (service) hat and black, maroon, tan and green berets, along with the mix of gold stripe and solid blue trousers on the review fields.

I don't see shoulder patches ever coming to the dark blue coat, and bloused light blue trousers over combat boots, I'm doubting that'll ever be happening.

Note on the bus driver hat, great fun carrying it or finding places to put the damn thing when indoors.

[Sabre07]

It’ll be interesting to see the mix of bus driver (service) hat and black, maroon, tan and green berets, along with the mix of gold stripe and solid blue trousers on the review fields.

Are the trouser stripes changing? If I remember correctly, the stripes were no different for various ranks...unlike the greens where O's had a black stripe.

[tryxter]

The articles I'd read stated that gold stripes along with the visored service hat would mark the leadership, Officers and NCOs Corporal and above , it may have changed.

According to the current regulation AR 670-1

20-6. Trousers, Army blue

(3) Trouser leg ornamentation. Ornamental braid is worn on each outside seam of the trouser leg, from the bottom of the waistband to the bottom of the trouser leg, as follows:

(a) General officers have two, ½-inch, two-vellum gold, synthetic metallic gold, or gold-colored nylon or rayon braids, spaced ½ inch apart.

(b) All other officers have one, 1½ inch, two-vellum gold, synthetic metallic gold, or gold-colored nylon or rayon braid.

(c) Enlisted personnel have one 1½ inch gold-colored nylon or rayon braid.

This regulation still refers to the high waisted trousers and not the belted trousers of the new service uniform.

From the Army News Service, my bad, E-5 and above not Corporal.

The uniform will also include a gold braid on the trousers for E-5's and above. Additionally, the service cap will be authorized for wear by NCOs as well as officers.

Also from an old article.


The new uniform will keep most of the overall styling of the current blues, but it will feature changes such as a more tailored fit and a gray shirt for everyday wear.

That shirt will be worn with a necktie; white shirts with a black bow tie will be reserved for formal occasions.

Trousers will be worn with belts rather than suspenders, and female soldiers will have an optional pair of trousers, like the men’s, in addition to the traditional dark blue skirt.

The wear regulations for the new blues do not include popular accoutrements now worn on the greens, such as shoulder-sleeve insignia for current unit assignments and combat patches. Skill insignia such as the Ranger tab will be worn as they are on the current blues, using a small metal pin-on version instead of the cloth patch worn on the shoulder of the greens.

Also, all soldiers — including airborne troops on jump status — will wear the current black dress shoe. Bloused jump boots will not be authorized.

There will be three distinct versions of the new uniform:

• Junior enlisted version. The biggest differences come with this uniform. Soldiers holding the rank of specialist and below will wear the black beret instead of the service cap. Also, they will wear plain blue trousers, without the gold stripe along the legs.

• Noncommissioned officer version. The gold trouser stripes and service cap are restored to the uniform when a soldier becomes an NCO at the rank of corporal and above. The change is meant to represent a “rite of passage” when a soldier becomes part of the NCO corps, Preston said.

• Officer/warrant officer version. The blues for officers and warrants remain the same except for the gray shirt and belted trousers.

[skirmishline]

Since shoulder patches will be worn only on the ACU wouldn't that mean there are no more unit colors, so to speak, except a unit's flags?

Something positive might come out of this. It might force a stronger identification with the regiment, since the regimental crest will be the only "colors" on the dress uniform.

Most of the regiments are far older than divisions and brigades anyway. In the 20th Century the emphasis on the division, it's patch, nickname, colors, etc., has caused the regimental crest to fade in importance somewhat.

I'd still like to see bloused boots though.

[Bailaviborita]

When I become CofS I will make everyone wear the same type footwear- and it will be tanker boots. I just love those buckles! (plus they go good with the Cav Black Beret...) :)

Oh yeah- and Rangers will have to bow to officers instead of salute...

Seriously- isn't it the Army CSM who does uniform stuff- and not the CofS? I know he signs off on it, but isn't the "lead" the CSM?

[Olive Drab]

Since shoulder patches will be worn only on the ACU wouldn't that mean there are no more unit colors, so to speak, except a unit's flags?

Something positive might come out of this. It might force a stronger identification with the regiment, since the regimental crest will be the only "colors" on the dress uniform.

Most of the regiments are far older than divisions and brigades anyway. In the 20th Century the emphasis on the division, it's patch, nickname, colors, etc., has caused the regimental crest to fade in importance somewhat.

I'd still like to see bloused boots though.crest for combat arms. those not holding combat arms mos have the MI, CA or other branch DUI in lieu of the unit that they are a part of

[Sharky]

Once again, we strive for mediocrity.

Although it was before my time, I thought the old Khakis were kick ass.

[Ranger5280]

Khaki's kicked ass...young Ranger, black beret, jump boots...It was short lived for me but it was killer. I forget when they pulled them but it seems about the time the regiment was formed.

[Greenhat]

Wear out date for Khakis/TWs was around '82, I believe.

TWs were the best uniform ever, bar none. But the Blues are close.

[TPD1280]

Khaki's died on the same day as the old OG fatigues in 1985.

I was in DLI then, and those of us who were not initial entry troops and had been in the Army for a couple of years all wore the old uniforms on the last day that we could.

[Ole crusty bastard]

You mean you guys aren't wearing long sleeved khaki's and tucking your tie in anymore? I'm out for a couple of years and everything changes.

[troy2k]

That's funny OCB. I love the khakis too, maybe the sharpest uniform I have seen, for casual daily wear. My old man wore the USAF version and I still recall them.
I like the Blues well enough I guess. It comes to this, the Army is ate up with changing stuff. Change the motto, the uniform, the standards, etc... So when something comes along that I can even mildly stomach, I call it a small victory and remind myself, "This shit really won't affect me, my pay, my team, or my family."
I don't like the Jump boot thing though, specifically cuz it kills tradition forged by giants among men, Slim Jim Gavin, Yarborough, Banks, Darby...someone should get a stern whoopin' for that one.

[troy2k]

That's funny OCB. I love the khakis too, maybe the sharpest uniform I have seen, for casual daily wear. My old man wore the USAF version and I still recall them.
I like the Blues well enough I guess. It comes to this, the Army is ate up with changing stuff. Change the motto, the uniform, the standards, etc... So when something comes along that I can even mildly stomach, I call it a small victory and remind myself, "This shit really won't affect me, my pay, my team, or my family."
I don't like the Jump boot thing though, specifically cuz it kills tradition forged by giants among men, Slim Jim Gavin, Yarborough, Banks, Darby...someone should get a stern whoopin' for that one.

[NightLandNav]

Khaki's died on the same day as the old OG fatigues in 1985

With all due respect, I'm not so sure '85 was the OG cut off year. I have photos, we were still wearing them on into late '88 at least. I don't have any other photos to show OG being worn after that date, but Nov '88 the OG was still GTG apparently.

Check it, we were wearing them.

Again, all due respect TPD1280

[troy2k]

I know on Bragg OG 107s were authorized locally, I didn't even get to Bragg til Mar 89 (1st Duty station) and you could still wear them then. Lotsa folks running around in them. I think it was just local though...I didn't have any so I didn't know!

[Trip_Wire]

You mean you guys aren't wearing long sleeved khaki's and tucking your tie in anymore? I'm out for a couple of years and everything changes.

Yeah me too!

Actually, I hated 'khaki's' even though we starched them so they could stand up by themselves, etc. You wore them an hour or so and they looked like you slept in them.

On the other hand, the tropical worsted shirt and pants, looked really cool, especially with bloused jump boots and the old high peaked overseas hat with the Para/Glide patch. There was also an optional TW blouse, that was great for some more formal occassions. It was a great uniform! The real khaki's or 'suntans' sucked in IMHO.

[Spinner]

With the exception of the lightweight BDUs, I hated everything about the Army uniform. I look at pictures of soldiers from the past, and I start to wonder why they made the changes. Very sharp looking uniforms. Maybe there were perceived morale problems in the past, too, and a uniform change was considered a quick fix.


Just no bowties. Please.

I had to laugh when I saw that, Snake. I was reading a piece in the Sunday newspaper magazine a few years ago about the old Maxwell Street police station, the outside of which served as the building for Hill Street Blues.

My Uncle Mac was featured in one of the pictures of their detective squads from the late 50s/early 60s, and I remember Mac as tough guy, a WWII Marine and all that.

I'm looking at one of the pictures, two rows of guys in white, short-sleeve shirts, bow ties and pocket protectors. I'm thinking, "Ok, here's the group photo of the clerks, now where are the gumshoes". That's when I spotted Mac seated in the first row, far right.

As it turns out, that's what passed for style and a well dressed detective back at the time. At least in Chicago.:D

[Hawkeye]

With all due respect, I'm not so sure '85 was the OG cut off year. I have photos, we were still wearing them on into late '88 at least. I don't have any other photos to show OG being worn after that date, but Nov '88 the OG was still GTG apparently.

Check it, we were wearing them.

Again, all due respect TPD1280
I have to agree with NLN. We were still wearing OG-107's at 2/75 in late 88, but, when I went to PLDC in October 88 and had to wear BDU's. When I finished at North Fort, which would have been late Oct/early Nov 88 the Bn had transitioned to BDU's, so no more Jungle Fatigues.

[Bravo Five Romeo]

With all due respect, I'm not so sure '85 was the OG cut off year. I have photos, we were still wearing them on into late '88 at least. I don't have any other photos to show OG being worn after that date, but Nov '88 the OG was still GTG apparently.

Check it, we were wearing them.

Again, all due respect TPD1280

But were they still standard issue?
When I was in, jungle fatigues were still authorized to wear, but were no longer issued... except for specific units that had special issue. A lot of young guys would run off base to the pawnshops and buy jungle fatigues to look old school. When I left legland for LRSD, we had jungle fatigues as special issue.
In the Fall of 1987, orders came down from division that jungle fatigues were no longer allowed to be worn on post by that November and every soldier was required to own 2 pairs of hot weather BDUs by Nov87, and 4 pairs by the Spring. We all got a little bump on our LES to cover the purchase. We still continued to wear them in the field though, because they dried a hell of a lot faster than those crappy hot weather BDUs.

[NightLandNav]

Ahh, issued? Now that's a point. I don't think one set of OD/JF I had were issued. I know the last few sets I purchased myself for sure. Everyone wore them as long as possible because the heavy weight BDUs sucked in the heat. Then the lightweight Ripstop BDUs came out and everyone was happy again.

[eltrane]

I remember big piles of OG107s at the Ft. Lewis clothing sales in early 86. I think they were 12 bucks for trousers and 8 bucks for the tops.

[Snake]

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72449943.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=8AF8AF6A335E5B0846DDA9BBA1070E2A

Don't complain.

[colmurph]

When you are in your 60" you will be able to wear your Green Beret with SFA patch and a Blazer with the SF buttons on it. On Veterans day you will be able to put your medals on your blazer and go out to face the public. What more do you want? You want maybe that Mrs. "Next Door Neighbor" should jump your bones on Veterans day? Gee......that's what I've been wishing for......but it hasn't happened yet.

[klrb929]

Every time I hear of this uniformity shit i want to go nuts.

First of all if there was one tenth of the effort and energy spent on uniforms applied to actual combat skills, Tehran would have Starbucks, McD's and Porn shops (without delicious boys)

this seems like such a freaking monumental waste of time and energy

all the while the special in special forces is being leeched out....it is the cost of having too many officers

officers that stay 12-18 months on a team....then 12-18 years thinking they know how teams work

then some guy gets a full frontal fort bliss lobotomy ...they get together....and this is what we end up with

it will get worse.....SGM's always find a way to make worse...

soon only pregnant non deployable homosexual overwieght females will be allowed to have anything on their uniforms other than rank...it because they are the ones that are really "special"

[seapig173]

Uniform changes are just ways for the senior officers and NCOs who sit on those boards who probably came from the support side to pat themselves on the backs and put themselves in for another legion of merit for contributing to moral by making everyone the same

[GreenBeret65]

When I graduated jump school at Ft. Benning. Ga in 1963 (yes--way back then). It gave you two rights: 1) To wear the silver wings of a paratrooper and 2) to wear and blouse your boots with a Class A uniform. That was my first proud day when I could walk down the street wearing bloused, spit shined combat boots and silver wings on my green Class A Uniform. I earned that right and I do not want to see it taken away.

Far and away the most important event in my life was the day when I received my Green Beret in a quiet ceremony on Smoke Bomb Hill at the SFTG at Ft. Bragg, NC. I don't remember anymore what normal hat for troops was called back then--anyone remember that brimmed hat with a tall top on it. Anyways, that was what we wore during that year of training and you either had a blue or red piece of tape around the top to distinguish your Company.
At graduation, when your name was called you got to throw your hat into a huge trash can because you were not going to need it again.

I am sorry this post is so long and I hope I don't get in trouble but sometimes you just have to speak your mind. IMHO, tradition is very important and I still believe 40 years after my service , that all of us who have ever "earned" the right to wear that Green Beret are very special people--Remember who gave us that right--that's why we still have it--Executive Order of the President of The United States, John F Kennedy


DeOpresso Liber

[KidA]

When I graduated jump school at Ft. Benning. Ga in 1963 (yes--way back then). It gave you two rights: 1) To wear the silver wings of a paratrooper and 2) to wear and blouse your boots with a Class A uniform. That was my first proud day when I could walk down the street wearing bloused, spit shined combat boots and silver wings on my green Class A Uniform. I earned that right and I do not want to see it taken away.

Good post, sir. I remember that too - the day you were authorized to blouse your boots with your dress uniform, and as a young turk it made you feel proud, esp when my first duty station was Korea and got to show up at a "leg" unit and stand apart - even if only briefly.

[EATIII]

Bump

[sfmedicw9]

wow of all the different categories to post blousing questions in

How did it get into the Army Special Ops section??

It used to be hard just to get teams into a uniform - how many team guys remember a team set of class A's and pins and masking tape when they started requireing a DA photo???

Uniforms dont mean much - proffesionalism comes from the inside - mission focus. Uniforms mean a lot to the officer class i think.

If you want to look impressive join the marines - spiffy uniforms :-)

well let me go put my plates in - gonna need level IV once the replies come in

[murphy j]

To my knowlegde..........Gen. Shinseki was the one who blessed of on the black beret.
Same thing I recall.

[Trip_Wire]

GreenBeret65:

Yes, as a 'FOG,' I feel the same way! I graduated BAC in 1951 and went to my Airborne Ranger Infantry Co. After we finished training as Rangers, our CO authorized the Black Beret. (Of course, it wasn't authorized by the Army, but we wore it anyway, until the Ranger Companies were deactivated.)

When I joined SF in 1961, green berets were not authorized to wear; however, many wore them or at least had them. (Unauthorized of course!)

I remember sometime in 1962 when JFK caused the Army to authorize the Green Beret for SF soldiers. It was a great day! I wore it proudly! I still wear it on occassion as a member of the SFA with their flash. I'm still might proud of it, and my service in Special Forces.

[Trip_Wire]

sfmedicw9:

Actually, I do agree and think the USMC Dress uniform is "spiffy." There Battle Hymn, make our Army 'song' (Stolen from the Arty.,) sound weak!

I really don't know why some people refer to them, in that uniform as 'Bell Hops.' ;)

http://www.uspharmd.com/usmc/mchymn.htm

[sfmedicw9]

Hey trip wire

my ex wifes father was with king county in the prison (met her when i was at Lewis) know a phil Murray?

Gotta love the marines, being army I even love them

why they dont have a bigger chunk of the CT mission is beyond me


yea bell hops or bandsmen - if someone insults their uniform in a genuinely mean way they are off my Christmas list

NOTHING like being in a third world shit hole and going to the embassy and seeing 1. the US Flag 2. A marine guard in that order

all else is a very distant third place