Well then, the Uniform Board 44 for 2009 has been announced. Another topic has the Service Dress Blue changed to a white shirt suggestion being submitted.

Any scuttlebutt or thoughts as to other suggestions being forwarded on ???????

I would still recommend a rate insignia for Seaman/Fireman Apprentice and Seaman/Fireman on the tropical uniform.

The DoD uniforms recognize the grades / rates of their entry level people. The CG has been neglegent since 1976.


The collar insignia is now available as part of the USN new service uniform.

Checking the Enlisted Billet Manual that is online shows approx 3900 SN/FN billets and 1200 SA/FA billets roughly 10% of your enlisted force +/-

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

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I would still recommend a rate insignia for Seaman/Fireman Apprentice and Seaman/Fireman on the tropical uniform.

Makes a lot of sense to me. Pretty goofy that those were not included all along.

I agree, I do think it is a good idea that non-po's have a device like the navy. However it doesnt really matter since we typically group all E-1 thru E-3 as nonrates and dont really recognize seniority in non-rates.... on the other hand, hopefully giving them collar devices will help us establish this.

Brechty

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on the other hand, hopefully giving them collar devices will help us establish this.

Hopefully re-establish the recognition that was removed in 1976.

Maybe someone will submit it.

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However it doesnt really matter since we typically group all E-1 thru E-3 as nonrates and dont really recognize seniority in non-rates

Maybe things have changed. There was a significant difference between being a SN and an SA when I was in. An SN had a level of experince that usually exceded by a great deal what an SA had. And many finished their 4 years as a non-rate. There was not as big a need(or maybe desire?) for as many rated folks as there seems to be today.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ex_CG_GM,

It was indeed a big day when sewing on SN stripes on the dress and undress uniforms and the change in status on board. This suggestion has been beaten down in previous topics, but have always felt the loss of recognition especially for E-3 was a slap at the enlisted force.

Enjoy a peaceful Memorial Day Stan

Unfortunately yes it has changed a good bit. I think mostly due to the fact that about half graduate bootcamp as E-3 for many random reasons, ASVAB score, college credis, eagle scout, 6yr contract, etc. Kinda lose the lower rank leardership when you can basically report to your first unit as a E-3 or E-4. Almost makes it seem as though the E-2 messed up! I remember when I got my FN stripes... twas a good day.

Brechty

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Enjoy a peaceful Memorial Day Stan

I did, and hope your's was as well Dana. Spent time thinking of old shipmates and those that gave their all for this country.

Interesting article in the loocal paper about the Vets cemetery here. A Vietnam vet that has worked there for 20+ years pointed out that when he started it was mostly WW II vets they were burying. Today the numbers are shifting the Vietnam vets.....

I was saddened by how few homes were flying an American flag this weekend.

Just FYI, your Army picture is wrong. The Insignia used is a Private First Class (E-3). The PFC rank is only worn as a pin-on on the shirt collar regardless if a tie is worn or not.

Only Corporals and above have slide-on shoulder boards which are also worn regardless if there is a tie or not.

Specialists and below only wear pin-on Insignia on the collar.

I for one have no concerns about the uniforms any more.. Why should I? I don't wear them...

I do feel those that wear them should voice their concerns and should wear them correctly...

My pool is 85 degrees so all I need is a bathing suit.

Liberty uniform is shorts & a t-shirt

Wray...

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My pool is 85 degrees so all I need is a bathing suit.

Liberty uniform is shorts & a t-shirt

Yep! Same here!!! Pool is 83 here though.....

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I for one have no concerns about the uniforms any more.. Why should I? I don't wear them...

Same here, might as well relegate this whole ficking topic back to the funeral parlor for its wake. Guess these folks are just tickled pink with everything they're wearing now, and dont have a ****ing wish to change a thing.

Just checking to see if anyone was alive.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

Dana,
No need to close it down.. I was just giving my opinion... I would HOPE some active duty folks would jump in.. problem I've seen is most just want to *****, rather than take some positive action. I would have hope to have seen on this thread, as well as other something along the lines of.... "I've written the Uniform board & suggested..................."

or I wrote the medals & awards division requesting they consider.............................."

Still haven't seen them yet.. Just lots of *****in'....

Wray...

Respect your opinion greatly. Just wondering if it is worth it. After the Uuniform board comes out there usually is a good ammount of ****ing and moaning over the decisions. Might have thought that if someone/anyone had an idea posted, another party just might think "why not" throw it in.

Then the "surprises" that show up after the board aren't just the pet projects of the few.

One Lt on another thread did just that. Good for 'em.

Maybe E-3's and below are nervous about posting on this topic, or have yet to develop any strong feelings. Nonetheless, when it comes to the white shirt I would think some of the folks that have been in for awhile would at least have an opiion. They do on everything else.

I'll be sending a memo regarding amending the tattoo policy. I see no reason why male service members should not be able to tattoo their lower legs as much as they want, and only very very suspect reasons for females.
I don't buy the line of BS that "what if a unit is doing LE in shorts". No body should ever perform an LE mission in shorts EVER, even if they are stationed on the planet Mercury. It's unprofessional and unsafe.
For those that would say, but isn't separate policies for males and females sexist? I would reply, in what other uniform, grooming, or appearance issue is the policy NOT sexist?

If it is even considered worthy enough to merit any special recognition, a re-visit to the wear of gold rating badges and hashmarks.

Prior to your current SDB, all petty officers with 12 years continuous good conduct would wear gold rating badges and hashmarks. Somehow, during the change over the HQ types managed to strip away a long standing recognition reserved for enlisted men. It wasn't that uncommon to see E-7s thru E-9s with scarlet chevrons and hashmarks. Someone, during the transition, managed to deem that only CPOs were worthy of enlisted gold. All petty officer grades lost a distinctive mark of recognition.

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Originally posted by Mastersmate:

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on the other hand, hopefully giving them collar devices will help us establish this.

Hopefully re-establish the recognition that was removed in 1976.

Maybe someone will submit it.

What about issuing E3's silver shields (similar to petty officer 'crows') without chevrons?

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I'll be sending a memo regarding amending the tattoo policy.

You don't send HQ a "memo"... you write them a formal letter and send it via your chain of command. They will endorse it and forward it on..

If memory serves me correctly "memos" are only for in house use.

Wray...

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Originally posted by Wray:

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I'll be sending a memo regarding amending the tattoo policy.

You don't send HQ a "memo"... you write them a formal letter and send it via your chain of command. They will endorse it and forward it on..

If memory serves me correctly "memos" are only for in house use.

Wray...

Actually you do send them a memo. Letters are only for external communication now.

"CHAPTER 2. MEMORANDUM
A. GENERAL
1. Introduction. The new memo replaces the basic letter. Use the memo for internal Coast Guard (i.e., between offices and field units), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Defense (DOD) units and all other federal agencies on official matters."

Also I hate to break it to you but rapid drafts, message blanks, and SF44s are all gone too

As for the unifrom issues, most people I talk to see no reason to add nonrate collar devices, white shirts, or gold crows for <E7.

The recommendations they do have are either being addressed, or have been shot down over and over again.