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greasepaint · Seaman Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 177 Location: Texas

When do sailors change from blue to white uniforms, and v v.
Memorial Day, Labor Day, or something else?

tugboatphil · Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 2:58 pm Post subject:

Greasepaint,

I can't recall exactly, but it was usually around April and October. The switch to Whites would usually be right before the last snowfall of the previous winter. Going to Blues meant that there would be one more heat wave to present itself.

The switch was also dependent upon where you were stationed. I can't recall ever seeing Blues when I was in Gtmo. Also, Dress Blue are an acceptable travel uniform any time of year.

It was always my theory that the reason Sailors drank and fought so much was that we were dressed in suits with funny hats, and scarves around our necks. Then the ship stopped in the worst part of town (any waterfront in any nation, fill in the blanks). What else were we supposed to do?!

Phil Toth
BMC(SW) ret
_________________
Phil Toth
BMC(SW) ret

Don't Sweat the Mule Goin' Blind,
Just Keep Loadin' the Wagon.

Navy_Navy_Navy · Admin Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 5777

Like turning on the a/c in the summer and the heat in winter....

You switch to whites after you've already sweated yer butt off in blues for two months.

You switch back to blues after you've already frozen for two months.

Every region adjusts its own schedule so as to meet these requirements.

Wink

_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

LubyStarling · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 10:58 am Post subject: uniforms

tugboatphil · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:36 pm Post subject:

I've been out of the loop for 7 years now, and live 300 miles from saltwater. But I do get back down to Norfolk every now and then. It appears to me that almost everyone onboard now wears coveralls for a work uniform.

Blues and Whites have always been a dress uniform for watchstanding and ceremonies. There are "working" versions of each and these are usually Staff or Instructor types. (whoever came up with white uniforms for tropical climates NEVER had to wash the necks of their own shirts!)

I first came into the Navy in 78, when the Utility uniform was being experimented with. I like the shirts (they were almost indestructible) but hated the pants. By the time I left the west coast (1980) dungarees were on the way back, but not yet an Issue item.

On a side note for Dress Blues, The 2 easiest ways to get in a fight with British Sailors:

Whenever they'd ask, "What are the two stars for on the backflap of your jumper top?" You could either reply, "They represent the two times that we kicked your A**es!" OR "They represent the two times we had to SAVE your a**es!" Mayhem to follow. Rolling Eyes

Of course there was always the old standby, just jump up on a table and shout anything derogatory about the Queen.

Oh yeah, as to Urban Camo, it would make it TOO easy for Seamen to hide during working hours. Wink

I B Squidly · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:51 pm Post subject:

My gripe was trying to get foul weather gear for my deck crew on a North Pac and they're all signed out to radar types in CIC.

HOV1 · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 10:02 pm Post subject:

Snipe · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 7:46 pm Post subject:

Then there was the Junior's Lounge in the China Fleet Club in Hong
Kong. All through the Viet Nam war there was this song on the juke
box: Johnny Horton's "Sink the Bismark". That's not so remarkable
a song to have in a British EM club, but on the flip side we had:
"The Battle of New Orleans". After about 3 plays, the riot would
break out.
_________________
Tin Can Sailor