In the summer of 1968 my brother was off the coast of Vietnam. He was a radio operator on board USS Arlington AGMR-2. A ship I'll always remember. I missed my brother and was quite proud that he was in the Navy. He would occasionally send me letters and a Navy magazine. I don't recall the name of the magazine but remember it had a centerfold. Hot stuff back then. Bikinis. Also very sexist by today's standards. By the time I had joined the Navy in 1971 this publication was history. As Bob Dylan had predicted, The times they are a changin'.
Back in '68 when you left the ship you were in your dress uniform. Either Whites or Blues depending upon the season. To wear your civilian clothes was a treat. There were " locker clubs " just outside the gates of the bases. There you could rent a locker to store your civilian clothes in. Civilian clothes were not allowed aboard ship. After leaving the base you would change into your clothes but you must change back to the " Uniform of the Day " before returning to base. Some went through this ritual and others took a different route. You could have uniforms custom tailored to wear on " Liberty." These uniforms looked like the regulation issue but were modified somewhat. On the Navy uniform a zipper would be added to the jumper top. This zipper ran down the side and allowed the jumper to be tailored to fit your chest and waist. On the inside of the cuffs would be embroidered designs. Dragons and flames were very popular. The pants were also modified to fit snugly through the butt. The famous thirteen buttons were there alright but served no function. Snaps under them had replaced them. In 1968 if you were a sailor on liberty you were expected to be drinking beer. Quick access was a necessity ! Necessity is the mother of invention. Often times these Liberty uniforms were made of Gabardine
All of that had changed by 1971. The locker clubs were still there but no longer necessary. The liberty uniforms were a thing of the past. The old school boys still wore them but the new guys,like me, didn't think that was too cool. Remember we are in 1971 now and we are all hip and cool !. I guess the change was a concession to the times. It was a change in attitude. The leaders and decision makers were a younger crowd. Everyone was concerned with being progressive. Even the haircut was being relaxed just a little.
Having spent twenty years in the Navy I feel qualified to comment. Looking back I think all of that had a detrimental effect. Less pride in service and less loyalty to your command. You see on the upper right sleeve of your uniform was the name of your outfit. Whether ship or shore you were identified with a certain group. This fostered loyalty. And you watched out for your shipmates ! The wearing of the uniform fostered that pride. I'm a sailor ! Immediately recognizable by anyone. There was no mistaking a sailor in his dress blues !
A certain myth went along with all that.
I'm hoping to organize a group of Veterans to march here in a parade. Perhaps in time for Memorial day but if not the fourth of July. I have my regulation U.S.Navy uniform and will be proud to put it on. Marching down the street to honor all those that have marched ahead of me. I am proud to have followed in the footsteps of all the patriots ! The times are still a changin'.
Back in '68 when you left the ship you were in your dress uniform. Either Whites or Blues depending upon the season. To wear your civilian clothes was a treat. There were " locker clubs " just outside the gates of the bases. There you could rent a locker to store your civilian clothes in. Civilian clothes were not allowed aboard ship. After leaving the base you would change into your clothes but you must change back to the " Uniform of the Day " before returning to base. Some went through this ritual and others took a different route. You could have uniforms custom tailored to wear on " Liberty." These uniforms looked like the regulation issue but were modified somewhat. On the Navy uniform a zipper would be added to the jumper top. This zipper ran down the side and allowed the jumper to be tailored to fit your chest and waist. On the inside of the cuffs would be embroidered designs. Dragons and flames were very popular. The pants were also modified to fit snugly through the butt. The famous thirteen buttons were there alright but served no function. Snaps under them had replaced them. In 1968 if you were a sailor on liberty you were expected to be drinking beer. Quick access was a necessity ! Necessity is the mother of invention. Often times these Liberty uniforms were made of Gabardine
All of that had changed by 1971. The locker clubs were still there but no longer necessary. The liberty uniforms were a thing of the past. The old school boys still wore them but the new guys,like me, didn't think that was too cool. Remember we are in 1971 now and we are all hip and cool !. I guess the change was a concession to the times. It was a change in attitude. The leaders and decision makers were a younger crowd. Everyone was concerned with being progressive. Even the haircut was being relaxed just a little.
Having spent twenty years in the Navy I feel qualified to comment. Looking back I think all of that had a detrimental effect. Less pride in service and less loyalty to your command. You see on the upper right sleeve of your uniform was the name of your outfit. Whether ship or shore you were identified with a certain group. This fostered loyalty. And you watched out for your shipmates ! The wearing of the uniform fostered that pride. I'm a sailor ! Immediately recognizable by anyone. There was no mistaking a sailor in his dress blues !
A certain myth went along with all that.
I'm hoping to organize a group of Veterans to march here in a parade. Perhaps in time for Memorial day but if not the fourth of July. I have my regulation U.S.Navy uniform and will be proud to put it on. Marching down the street to honor all those that have marched ahead of me. I am proud to have followed in the footsteps of all the patriots ! The times are still a changin'.
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