As my late husband called his navy cover, his Dixie Cup. I still have 2 of his hat (cap). My hubby said the little tab on the inside was very useful. They would tie line to it and put it over the side of the ship as they were going out at sea. The salt water would whiten the hat, and save them ftom bleaching it in the wash. Also if you fell overboard. the hat could keep you afloat . I also have 2 of his dress uniform that he has liberty cuffs sewn on the sleeves. I loved the storys he told me about his time in the navy. The places he got to see. He was a vietnam vet .I miss him.
Was your husband at Norfolk? My Uncle was in The Bay of Pigs and 2 tours in Viet Nam. He was on guard duty and was stabbed with a bayonet- they were very tense days while he was MIA. My Grandfather also a Navy lifer, contacted all USS Hospital Ships because the critically injured were taken to these ships for major surgical procedures.
The Dixie cup, as I remember the white hat being called, also had a safety purpose. The tight weave of the hat made it somewhat like a balloon. You could take it off your head when you were in the water and soak it well and then scoop the air with it and place the brim on your stomach forming a small balloon of sorts. This provided enough additional flotation to allow a person to more easily float on their back in light seas while waiting for rescue. The flared dungaree pants were also made to be easy to remove when in the water and make a flotation device out of. Tying off the legs and scooping the air with them and then rolling the waistband allowed you to put the pants behind your neck with the legs on either side of your head keeping your head afloat.
Dang I knew about the pants but not that deal with the hai. Well thanks for getting the Marine Corps there. Directly from my heart to seal team 3 strictly badass and yes your man got his hamburger from In-N-Out he didn't even have to wait till Tuesday morning 😂
At my fathers funeral, I spoke of how we 5 children enjoyed playing with his white hats and his hammock! He served in WWII and Korea. Love you Dad. 💕🐝💕🇺🇸
Great video. Some things I remember about the "Dixie Cup" from my time in the USN: 1. It was to be worn two-fingers above the eyebrow and level with the ground. No jaunty angles, as cool as that looks. After 12 weeks of boot camp most of us had very tan faces with glaring white foreheads. 2. In boot camp we washed them with white shaving cream. Every night, while the rest of us were cleaning the barracks, a separate crew was outside scrubbing covers and leggings. 3. It seemed like a good idea, but never try and wear a brand new cover during inspection. It must have been washed at least once and new ones are easy to spot. 4. During survival training, we were taught to flip the brim down and wear it Gilligan-style to protect our ears from the sunshine. We also learned other cool stuff, like how to inflate your t-shirt and pants to make a flotation device. 5. The Dixie Cup was only worn during boot camp, A school and with dress or working blues. On a ship or shore duty when wearing dungarees, we wore a baseball-style cap with a patch across the front bearing the ship's name. I still have mine from the USS Wabash AOR5. That is all.
I remember all the time that was spent teaching us how to wash our clothing while in boot camp - plus the many pages in the Bluejacket's Manual regarding laundering uniforms. I was then assigned to USS Forrestal (CVA-59) after boot camp - and was never allowed to wash my clothing again. Since there is a finite amount of training time available in boot camp, I wonder if the time learning how to launder uniforms could not have been better spent.
I was also under the impression that the dixie cup hat could also serve as flotation by folding it down ("Gilligan style") and making an air pocket. I could be wrong on this. BTW- my son served on the USNS Leroy Grumman T-AO 195 until last year with Military Sealift Command- another fleet oiler guy.
Old jar-head (79-83) here and being a Department of the Navy, hear me out. We wore a starched cover using a block and ind starch by the gallon. I could throw my cover through a single pane of glass. I will blame my hair loss as a causality of my military service. Great video, fond memories...
I realize this video is 3 years old but my oh my.. the beautiful memories it brings of my Brother in the Navy in Vietnam era. He served on the Herbert J Thomas and the USS Keppler. He's gone now but this is such a sweet reminder of those happier times. Thank you Sir.
My dad was WWII Navy, remember seeing his Navy pic when he was about 19. Blue top, white hat. My dad looked good, military, proud, American. Now he would have been 98. Miss him.
We went on liberty in Vancouver during the CPO uniform time. The locals all thought we were cops. Everyone was very happy we went back to the old uniform.
In 1989, I was studying Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. One day while I was wearing my "working whites" the checkout person at one of the AAFES registers asked me if I was in the military. Man I got hot. I was like, "Is that a joke?!?". Luckily one of the floor supervisors was around to explain that the cashier was new and didn't recognize all the uniforms. :)~
@@hlynnkeith9334 12 months! Best twelve months of my life! Well, not including being stationed in Spain and going TAD to Crete every 90 days, but getting to stay in a hotel because there was no room for berthing at the Souda Bay Naval Air Station. :)
We were taught in boot camp during water exercises to use the “Dixie Cup” as a flotation device. Wet the hat to keep air inside and hold it close to your chest to help you float.
My brother said the same thing. He also talked about how he was trained to use the trousers the same way by tying a knot in the cuffs and turning them upside down, trapping air in the legs.
Thank you and great video! Warning- Long story ahead. So my dad joined the USN in 1939. He was stationed on the USS Texas and then got transferred to a Consolidated PBY outfit on the east coast. After that they transferred the PBY’s to Brazil. He was a crew chief and also a bubble gunner on the PBY. They used to go on patrols looking for German subs as they were all over the east coast and sinking merchant ships within sight of land. Same thing in Brazil. He remembered the “dog ears” appearing on the white hats during WWII and he said it made the Chiefs mad but it was a Navy filled with draftees and so the Navy had to back down over the issue. He had tons of sea stories and he was the main reason I joined the Navy in 1990. He was a sailor until the day he died and was always buying leaky sail boats and fixing them up (with me as his barnacle scraper). Anchors aweigh dad, I miss you.
Thank you for that Master Chief. I wanted to add my two cents in what I experienced and learned while serving, starting in Oct of 1957. I was issued the flat hat in my seabag, but never wore it as a part of the uniform. Scuttlebutt was one reason it was discontinued was when you were in dress blues, and walking at night on liberty, you were almost totally in dark colors and many sailors were run over by autos. As for the white hat, one would have to admit it is a very versatile head cover, but my complaint through the years was how it was worn. In my years most of us took great pride in the shaping of it, these days and those, some sailors just plop the hat on, no shape whatsoever. The look should always be the way The Lone Sailor Statue wears it.
The edges were rolled by the old salts, it showed how much you could get away with. Also if it's turned down and the jersey flap tucked under it made a gunpowder proof anti sparks protector. So sparks don't go down your neck. That's what I was told in gunnery school '72. Limited your head motion but worked. A 3"50 cal gun mount can get very messy.
Wow, I never heard about that one. I've always admired some of the other navy's covers, like the Royal Navy. However, our navy's covers are much more versatile. Fold it , bend it, put into your belt, put in your back pocket, and maybe use it to help keep you afloat. It's interesting most of the time on one's head, they never look uniform. But it's all good. @@DarrellCook-vl6lm
There was a very funny picture joke of a young Navy Ensign who has just arrived on the quarterdeck with his luggage. He is greeted by a Chief. The Ensign says to the Chief, "I want to get started immediately on a training program. So take my luggage to my stateroom." The Chief responds, "Why don't we start that training right now."
@@stevenwiederholt7000 That is why my favorite Army LT., an ROTC Cornell graduate, seemed to listen first and gather information before he spoke. I wished I had kept in touch with him. Merry Christmas, LT. ALLEN, wherever you are.
Interesting. I enlisted in '64. Never knew I missed getting the old flat hat by a year. Got out in '68 so I didn't have to go through the Zumwalt fiasco. I have a picture of my uncle on liberty in Honolulu during WW2 , Dixie cup on the back of his head, bell bottoms flapping as he strides down the street. Looks like a proud American sailor and nothing else!
I joined in 76, and my main regret is that I didn't get to wear the classic uniform. I was, on one occasion, mistaken for a bus driver. Thanks for the history lesson, and Go Blue! (class of 88).
Thank you Master Chief for your videos! I served 29+ years in the Marine Corps, I retired as a MSGT. As a "shipmate" I have always enjoyed sea stories from my Navy couterparts. We both share a common history. You are an excellent story-teller and you provide a valuable service to today's Navy in keeping the customs and courtesies alive. I look forward to your other UA-cam videos. Bravo Zulu!
I second that! We are soooo very lucky to have been “adopted” by a couple who, every year, invite us over for Thanksgiving. The man of the house was a long time Navy man, a boson (forgive if I spelled it incorrectly!), and every year it’s a delight to hear his stories!!
My 1960 boot camp issue included a flat hat which never left the bottom of my sea bag. Sixty years later, here, I still have it... at the bottom of a dresser drawer.
My boot camp company (1962) was issued flat ("Donald Duck") hats (covers) along with white hats. We were told that the flat hats were not a required part of our seabag but that they were being issued just to deplete the obsolete stock. Mine was a couple of sizes too small (6 7/8") for my head, so it went with me in my seabag but was not worn, nor was it authorized to be worn. Still like new, I donated it and most of the other memorabilia to a museum. That way it all may be preserved for future generations.
I enlisted in '72 and was issued my dixie cup, but the rest of my uniform was something totally different from what I've always seen sailors wear. I was so happy when I boarded the USS Oklahoma City and could buy the standard blue shirt and wayfarer trousers.
I too served aboard the USS Oklahoma City (CLG5) and was a cook. It was the flagship of the 7th fleet. I believe it was around 1971 or 1972. I then transferred to its sister ship, the CLG6.
I was told by an ex sailor that the white cap folded down was used as a flotation device. Also the pants could be buttoned up and the cuff tied into knots.Once it was wet you cupped it over the water and the pant legs would fill with air enough to keep you afloat for a while. When the air would dissipate, you cupped them over the water again as necessary
True. It was taught in bootcamp, and we practice it. In 1995 a Marine fell off the USS America into the Indian Ocean and treaded water for 36 hours using his overalls like that until rescued by Pakistani fishermen.
The secret to it is don't put pressure on it downward, just make sure it's completely wet and force it down in a downward motion and just lightly hold it over your belly and you'll float forever so long as it stays wet or until you get eaten by a shark lol.
I’m a Vietnam Veteran of the Marine Corps and have always wondered about the white hats of the Navy. My dad and older brother were sailors but they didn’t know either. Thanks.
I enlisted in 1969, went to be an advisor to the RVN Navy in the riverine force, 1969 to 1970. Due to a car bombing, the only uniform I had when I came back was a set of gabardine dress blues made in Hong Kong. I bought dungarees and one set of whites. In 1972 I was selected for NESEP and bought midshipman blues. Therefore escaped having to get the enlisted suit uniform. These uniforms were made cheaply, which added to the difficulties for the sailors who had to wear them. I still have the enlisted blues, and both the full dress and service dress blues. I also have my Grandfathers sword which I wore only once, when I retired in 1989. Thank you for your service! As well as this channel.
Where did you go to boot camp in '69? I liked the old dress blues. They were warm and since they were wool they shed water. After boot camp I went to A school and ended up on a tender in Scotland. The only time I wore a dress uniform was for inspection. The rest of time I wore dungarees with a ball cap. I got out for a long time and later went in the USNR. We were wore BDU's and the Marine cap. When we went to Desert Storm the were going to issue us desert "camos," but that never happened. EN 1.
@@Canopus68 I was in company 654 at GLAKES...Nov 66 to Jan 67...yes it snowed like hell in January that year....went to Naval Nuclear Power school in 1968 and after I completed got assigned to training at Coronado CA, which included 4 weeks weapons and tactics at Camp Pendelton, SERE at warner springs, and language school. We were issued army green jungle uniforms, poncho liner and an M-16 in Saigon. When I got to the advisory group we wore the RVN naval camo uniform and insignia...there were several weapons to choose from but the M-16 with all tracers was most effective to mark target areas for air support. Kinda like a laser pointer. After all that I was sent to submarine school in Sep 1971.....I think they did not know what to do with me there but I was already in the NESEP pipeline. So I graduated first in the subschool class and was later assigned to the Benjamin Franklin SSBN 640.
One of the most common mistakes people make is that “tar” in the days of wooden sailing vessels was not bitumen, it was Stockholm tar, or pine resin. It turns black when it is burned. It runs off when you make charcoal.
Thankyou for that detail, but, I figgure it was still smelly, hot, hard, uncomfortable and generally makes a mess of your hair! To the point of just shaving your hair just so the "tar" would not stick to your hair!!
Thank you, Master Chief. I served 4 years in the US Navy 1983-1987 aboard USS Pensacola LSD-38, NAB, Little Creek, VA. and wore the "Dixie Cup" with pride. After I was honorably discharged from the US Navy, I joined the US Coast Guard and served an additional 24 years. I loved both services. I was a BT in the US Navy and became a corpsman in the US Coast Guard. As a "Coastie", I attended the US Navy Preventive Medicine Tech School as well as the Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman School (SF-IDC School) in 2000 and 2005-2006, respectively. According to the The cadre at the IDC School, I was the first US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer to ever attend the SF-IDC School. The IDC instructors checked the IDC archives and verified this interesting fact. I was proud to be the first US Coast Guard CPO (Health Services Technician, Chief) to attend this challenging school. Your video is very interesting, educational, and historically accurate as well as entertaining. As we say in the US Coast Guard: Bravo Zulu! Well done! Thank you for your service, shipmate. G.M., BT3, USN; HSC, USCG, (Ret.).
GREAT piece of history... I joined in 1976, when we was issued the Double Breasted Jacket, and those stupid Blue Utilities (pull over, and button up). Glad they went back to the Dungarees. When we went back to Cracker Jacks, I wore dress blues (100 percent wool) from my Uncle who was a WW2 and Korea Conflict Vet with LIBERTY CUFFS AND BIB.
I joined in 76 too. Didn't like the "chiefs type" uniform. Nobody else I knew did either. Was very happy when crackerjacks came back. Had a set of gabberdine tailormades w/liberty cuffs. RM1 USN(RET)
Thank you Master Chief for a great video. I served in the USN for four years. 1967-1971. I loved my Navy uniform. Dress blues were the sharpest Uniform in the world, but I always thought the white hat was a weak point. The old blue flat hat would have been a lot better. Thanks again for a great history lesson and thank you for your service.
I served in The U.S. Coast Guard during The Viet Nam War and our inspection and Liberty Hats were the white older type with the head band that said Coast Guard but the rest of our sea-going uniforms were exactly like The Navy's with the Dixie Cup and dungarees except when we had long sleeve items on then we had a small Shield on the right arm (I'm very old now and hope I remembered this correctly)!! Our hats were fairly comfortable and rain proufe. In 1967 we weren't taught to use the caps for flotation just the shirts and dungarees at boot camp in Alameda Calif. Thanks Chief for bringing back some of the great memories of being at sea~!!
Great video Chief. I served 1970-74 (USS Forrestal, CVA-59). One thing you didn't touch upon was how the white hat could be used as a flotation device. When I was in boot camp at RTC Orlando, my DI, BMC Horne (amazing how you don't forget the name of your DI), during a pool exercise, had us float on our backs, turn the white hat inside-out, get it wet, clamp it to our stomachs after capturing air in it and how it would help you float for a few minutes. He also had us, when in the pool, take off our pants, tie knots at the bottom of the legs, capture air and how it turned into a floatation device, like water wings. Chief Horne said that every thing you wear can be turned into a floation device. Look forward to watching more of your videos.
They taught us with coveralls. Button the top of the collar and while belly down in the water swat air bubbles into the front opening and it fills up your back with air like a big ol blue hunchback and you can float around like that for quite some time. Still prefer the pants lifejacket method it's a little more comfortable
I'm a retired Army SSG that has always been interested in Naval history and traditions. Keep these going! Also a writer that needs this all for a story or two.
They've been under attack by "them, those and they" since post Tailhook in 1992.... Many have been watered down or done away with throuout the years, sadly. When I made Chief we had 10 weeks of Initiation, part military training, part college fraternity Initiation,but it taught me teamwork, humility, honesty and fidelity... Nowadays, gone since around the time I retired in 2010. Shellbacking or crossing the equator a tradition that goes back to the Romans, watered down, although I will admit because many got out of hand with the hijinks.
I served Navy 1971 to 1975. and I served 2 years one a ship home ported on the west coast and the same on the east coast. It was like serving in two different Navy's, On the west coast my white hat rim was folded down, Neckerchief was double rolled and high tied, Jumper was tailored and liberty cuffs. corfam dress shoes. We had a dress inspection two weeks after I reported to the DE on the east coast. My chief took one look at me and asked what Halloween party I was ready for. My division head, had a little chat with me after the inspection, well I had a couple more as I never changed.
New construction at Electric Boat on Groton, Conn. It is about Dec and at quarters one morning we have a new guy. Second class, Submarine Qualified and in Tropical Whites and sun tanned as can be. Needing a haircut and little gold earring. Turns out he was two days out of the Philippines. Had been on a 72 liberty and when he got back to his boat his bag had been packed and he had about 30 minutes to get his plane. After quarters he was told to see the chief Steward for a haircut and remove the earring and get into some dungarees.The closer to DC you were the deeper the BS.
Navy from 1969 to 1974. Stationed at the Naval Hospital in San Diego for two years after boot camp. Lots of guys had the same style coming out of the shops downtown - rolled neckerchief, tailored blues to the knees before the flair (which were almost black in comparison to regular dress blues), and the corfam shoes. Spent the last two years in Rhode Island. None of that "West Coast" style in sight. Standard unrolled neckerchief, untailored pants, and almost no corfam shoes (some had never even heard of them). Most of the guys had gone through Great Lakes for boot camp and then were stationed on or near the east coast. Glad I didn't go with the style in San Diego - I suspect my Chief would have had words with me when I reported for duty in Rhode Island. But from what I can remember, where you went to boot camp during those years determined how you wore your white hat. Seemed the west coast sailors had various rolls and stuff going on, but on the east coast, it seemed it was a variety of wings on the side. My experience was that too much wing or roll made it difficult to keep your hat on in a breeze.
@@nickchevance9401 Still have my "greasy snake" rolled 'kechief. When I do put on my uniform I wear it with pride. It is still the only part of my original uniform I can still get into.
In Japan, when you bought a neckerchief, they came already rolled, the old Filipinas or JNs working at the exchange would be rolling piles of them. In places like Norfolk you buy one and it was folded flat and square, you had to wet it and roll it yourself.
@@victorglaviano I'm pretty sure I bought mine in SD at the "7Seas". It's what first pops into my mind. We're talking 56 years ago now. Somethings get fuzzy around the edges. Do remember I got my first Tattoo at "Doc Webbs" in SD. Was warned to stay away from "Painless Nells".
My dad was a medical corpsman in World War II, and was recalled to active duty in Korea just after he graduated from medical school. When he went back in, they made him an officer and he did not get a white hat. He didn't save any of his uniforms except for his white hat. When he was working outside, and when he'd go fishing for trout, he'd wear that hat, but with the stitched part pulled down so that it didn't make a gutter, but instead shaded his eyes and his neck. He wore that hat until he literally wore it out. They were made quite sturdily, and though he served through the mid-1950's, and probably got that hat in the 1940's it didn't wear out until the 1980's. 40+ years of wear on any article of clothing is amazing. Those hats were very well made. I also found it interesting about how it was folded, because he always put it away just like that.
Thanks a lot. This was fascinating. When my late Father was serving as an Officer in the British Army we were posted to the island of Malta. It was there that I attended a British Royal Naval School. We were taught by Naval Officers in RN uniform appropriate to the season. I will never forget these fine men in their ‘tropical whites’ who lined us up for morning assembly. They looked magnificent. When I was about twelve years old we got to go on board the British Carrier Ark Royal who was in Valetta Harbour. That was a sight I will never forget. We went down into the hanger decks and they were massive. The carrier was like a floating city. When I was a young boy I read The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsaratt. It was a highly authentic novel about the battle of the Atlantic and filled me with the greatest respect for all who served in Navies the world over.
proud to have served in the USN as a Seabee Construction Mechanic CMCN 2007-2010 still have my crackerjacks, dress whites and my woodland camo uniforms plus my white Dixie Cup and utility covers too! Great video Master Chief! 🇺🇸🦅❤️🤍💙⚓️🛠⛵️
Folding the brim in half to the outside all the way around until it looked like a Frisbee. Popular in places like "A" school where the white hat was required. Formed the "wing" and, when placed on your desk upside down, kept the normally visible parts clean as they were to the inside. Folded flat and in your back pocket all day in class just added some interesting and unwanted creases in odd places. My white hats never saw the inside of a washer or dryer. Navy-issue scrub brush, shaving cream, and a few minutes in the head gave you a sparkling white hat ready to air dry for the next day. Later tonight I will watch your video on the jumper. Curious to see if you address their tendency to shrink rather drastically around the belly and waist when hung in the closet for 30 years...
I have my set of very expensive Gaberdines, all tailored to fit, in my closet. Even they develop this malady. Fit oh so nice. Even the Jumper had the under arm zipper. So easy to get on and off.
Here's my theory on the origin of the hat: I suspect the brim was originally intended to be able to be folded down to provide protection from hot sun and rain, similar to a rain slicker hat. That actually makes perfect sense when you consider the design. But nobody ever actually did it, so it was left folded up and eventually stitched up. One thing Master Chief fails to mention is how utterly impractical a brimmed hat would be in the tight confines of a ship, doubly so the early 20th century ships that were smaller and jam-packed with machinery. The straw hats they used to wear would have caused tons of problems for sailors when they actually went belowdecks. Having a single hat where the brim could be folded would be a huge benefit.
The British humorist Denis Norden once said, "I tried on my old RAF uniform the other week. Do you know, the only thing that still fits is the tie?". Obviously all military clothing has a tendency to shrink dramatically when stored for any length of time. My thanks for a enjoyable and interesting video.
Thank you Master Chief! I was a QM2 1986-1990. This was great history I had never heard before. Most people don't realize that that "dixie cup" can keep you afloat in a pinch.
I entered the Navy in 1975, and we had the suit uniforms you described with the bus driver hats. The cracker jack (dress uniform) came back in somewhere around 1980. But, like most sailors, I was in dungarees most of the time. I did have a time when I was an instructor, and had to wear a variant of the dress uniform (which we called salt and peppers). Seems to me, you could use the Dixie cup hat with that uniform. Fun video. Thanks for the memories Master Chief.
The Cracker Jacks become mandatory in July of 1985. I remember having to buy a set of whites and blues for a seabag inspection mid July, spending around $100,. Then I made Chief in September. I never wore them. I did however wear the dixie cup, maybe for a year or so. Very comfortable.
Well done! As a Vietnam era Submarine sailor I would have hated any changes to the uniform. No Room. The white hat on the rare occasions we were on the surface or in port on top side watch could be folded down in bad weather. Then the flap on the back of your blues tucked up under it to protect you from the wind. Great idea I always thought it was designed that way.
My dad and his ship help rescue JFK. I have a book with the story in it, my dad told me years ago how JFK was a young guy at the time and in pretty bad shape, his torpedo boat had been rammed in half by a Japanese destroyer. He also told me that JFK was a nice guy, real down to earth.
When I was enlisted from the late 60's to 79 a great many of us turned the brim of our white down as you described. We called it "tuning" our hat. Nothing in regs prevented it as far as I knew. The uniform changes were so screwed up during that time and cost us a mint to keep up with the changes. I see they are still doing that to these poor folks. And actually it didn't stop when I made Chief.
Thanks for sharing. I served in the Navy from 1961 to 1967. I was issued a blue flat hat but it stayed in my locker. The "Dixie Cup," white hat was worn most of the day.
My dad was a 28 yr. Master chief machinist mate. Smartest man I’ve ever met. Some people know a little about everything. He knew a lot about everything and more. He was very highly respected. I joined years after he retired. But after boot camp I was an eod diver and met a few high rankers that knew pops and spoke highly of him.I was very proud. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to have a long career,I did make 3rd class twice,I had a quick temper. I lost my leg from an ied few yrs later. Tried to go back with a fake leg but they were having it. I was gonna go marines but went private contractors. Good money. I had a special leg for diving,it look cool under water. Scary. I father passed 5 yrs ago. RIP master chief.
You can add mine in too. 25 years in the active Navy ( 1946-1971 ) and 5 in the Inactive reserve. Died a little over 10 years ago, buried in his last uniform Jacket without his ribbon bars per his request. Dad made CTMCM at age 36. He had made E-7 when an E-7 was the highest enlisted rank and had often refused the jump to becoming an Officer.
I was a young SN, Spring of '92 in "A" School in Orlando, FL. Heading outside on a break, I walk by the smoke pad twirling my white hat on a finger. Gnarled old Master Chief, putting out his butt, sees me and asks, "Sailor! That friggin' cover say "WHAM-O!" on it?!?" Me, stuffing my cover on my pumpkin head: "Uh, no, Master Chief!" Couple weeks later, another break, same smoke pad, same old Master Chief, same white hat being twirled on same finger: "Sailor! That friggin' cover say "WHAM-O!" on it?!?" Me, showing Master Chief the inside of my cover with "WHAM-O!" written in black Sharpie on one of the ribs: "Sure does, Master Chief!" Short version of the rest of this story: Way wrong answer. And that cover, "WHAM-O!" now faded to a slightly less noticeable gray, is in my retirement chest. -ETNCM(SS), Ret.
When I was a little boy, probably around 1953 or 54, I found my older brothers white hat, and I wore it with enormous pride until I was a teenager! I only wish I still had it after all these years.
Thank you Chief for that wonderful information on our Navy’s various uniforms over the years. Truthfully I liked our uniforms of the late 1960’s thru the 1970’s. From our dress uniforms even down to our denim dungarees. I was in from 1969 to fall of 1973. Still to this day, can fortunately fit in my uniforms. Is really enjoyed all the information you shared. Thank you and thank you for all your service for our great nation.⚓️
My Navy hitch was 1980-1986. I preferred those uniforms too. We had the Crackerjacks and the "suit&tie" Class As. I don't like the current uniforms, the overalls style. My old ET Seniorchief had a favorite saying - "US Navy, two hundred years of tradition unmarred by progress!" 😊 Sadly that has changed.😢
Great vid on the history and evolution of the dixie cup hat. In the early 70s, I was lucky enough to squeak into the last of the jumper style, instead of having to wear the milkman uniform. In basic, during water survival training, we were taught to use the wet canvas cover for flotation when placed over the center of gravity. Didn't work as well as knotting the end of white tropical pants legs and filling them with air, but I guess the psychological effect of doing anything was the why of it. Thanks for the memory nudge.
Joined in 74 and was surprised as well as disappointed when I was issued my Zumwalt suit. First thing I did was to go out and purchase a nice set of gabardine crackerjacks, complete with liberty cuffs and interior embroidery. Got to wear them a full year before they were no longer authorized. Broke them back out sometime in the early 80s.
I was slated to join in 74 as well and go into the Seabees when I found out they had new uni's. No dixie cups, no dungarees, so I joined the Army, airborne. I was bound and determined to wear a beanie (beret)! It worked out for the best...
@@r.glenncooper8199 Wow! That's crazy! You mean the kind of suit like Johnathin Winters (comedian) wore as the Mr Goodtime Ice cream bar guy? I didn't know the Navy made everyone wear that! Musta been a lot of pissed off sailors LoL!
When we would go indoors we folded up hat up like a banana and stuck it in the back of our pants. This gave it a square shape. This was West Coast, in the 60’s. Thanks, Chief!
Great video. I enlisted in November of 1971 and attended boot camp in the Great Lakes. Even at this early date, the Navy was starting to transition to new uniforms. Fortunately, we were issued the traditional Navy blues and undress whites along with the traditional white hat. I say fortunately because one of the main reasons I joined the Navy was the uniform! However, we were issued two sets of the newly designed working uniforms. A medium blue pullover 3 button jumper and blue straight-leg pants. We were also issued one (or two) sets of the traditional denim work uniforms as well. The truth was the new uniforms sucked and once we got to the fleet we stocked up on the denim.
The new uniforms did kind of suck - they were like Air Force uniforms - but they were a lot more comfortable than the dress blues - except in cold weather maybe. The whites were OK when I was in - beginning of the 80s - being lightweight, permapress polyester. And while I was never a huge fan of the "salt and peppers" we wore a lot, I did like the cover. Maybe it is because my dad was a career Naval officer, and I used to like his hat with the eagle on it, and the hat with the new uniforms was closer to that, though with a smaller, silver eagle and a black strap rather than a gold one.
Me too. 74-79 USS Monticello LSD-35. Never wore anything BUT dungarees. I bought several pairs of the bells bottoms and three pairs of boondockers with steel toes when I got out. Still have a couple pairs of dungarees in the trunk. SOBs shrunk a lot.
Thanks so much for doing this. I was a kiddo in the 50’s and I wore my dad’s hats when outside to keep from being sunburned in the summertime. He was a machinist mate in WWII in the South Pacific and brought his stuff home. We had the white hats and the dyed blue ones that my brother and I wore. Thanks again for putting this together.
Thanks Masterchief. I was one of the first on my ship in the late 70’s to start wearing the Crackerjack uniform. Back than they did not use the silk neckerchief. It was nylon and to short and the ends stuck out like bunny ears, so my Uncle gave me his silk neckerchief. Ahhhh memories
I was in about the same time you were, 77-81. As soon as the crackerjacks were available, I shit-canned the bus driver uniforms and got 2 sets. Blues and Whites. Wore each set only once but I was sure proud of them!
I enlisted in 62 & was issued both the White Hat & the Blue Flat Hat with US NAVY on the band. The flat hat was actually worn as Dress Blue Alfa, the White dixie cup is Dress Blue Bravo & had become the only Dress uniform by that time.
My father served during the Second World War as a navigator in the US Navy on board an LST. He served as an enlisted man for most of the war, but mustered out as a Chief. In the early sixties, he finally opened his wartime duffel bag. Stored literally, in the very bottom of his bag were two dark blue flat brimmed Navy hats. He said he had never worn them except at basic.. He told me that in 1955 or '56, the mother of a newly enlisted sailor wrote to the Secretary of the Navy saying that her son never wore the flat version, even though he had been issued two of them along with his two white hats. She questioned why citizens should be paying extra for those two hats when the sailors never wore them. I suppose the Navy agreed, and the flat blue hats were eliminated from standard issue after that. It's probable that these days, the Secretary would never have seen her letter, and much less be convinced to act on it. It was a real treat to watch your informative, entertaining and very well researched video. When my Dad opened his wartime duffel in the fifties, my brother and I were carefully instructed by him in the folding process for those white hats. We both can still recall how it is done, although we haven't done it in a while. It brought back him, and those days to our memories when you showed the folded version in your vid. Thank you for posting. Smooth sailing for you in the future.
Navy ranks confuse civilians. Especially when you tell them that the Captain of a ship may not hold the rank of Captain. I was a Flyboy but had uncles in the Navy, 1 for 20 years, 1938 to 58. He served aboard just 2 ships DD407, he was on the commissioning crew until late 42( German measles ) after getting out of the hospital he was assigned to the USS Augusta where he stayed until 45 when it went in for a major refit. He was then Stationed back to Pearl Harbor where he remained until 48 I believe, then to Virginia where he remained till retirement. He told me many stories of combat patrols in the North Atlantic DD 407 and invasions, Operation Torch, to Normandy. I remember his story of being on duty when news came of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 45 while on duty at Pearl he saw his old ship DD407 was in. As early as he could he rushed onboard to see old shipmates. While visiting over coffee in the galley they were informed that Japan had surrendered and the War was over. For my uncle WW2 started and ended onboard the same ship. My other uncle served most of his time on CVs, seeing action during Vietnam, retiring in 78. My dad was in the men's department of the Navy, USMC as he liked say. He served from December 8th 41to 47 or 48. Fighting from Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and finally Okinawa. 3 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star x 2 and a Silver Star. He rose to the rank of Gunny. His uniform hung in his closet next to his Captain's Army uniform from his time in the Texas N.G. I was raised by WW2 vets. In fact every adult in my childhood had served, even the women. My mom built the B17s until transferred to major repair/upgrades to the B17s and then B29s.till wars end. A big Thank You to ALL who served.
A Big Hearty Salute to my Shipmate, your Uncles. Your history is somewhat similar to mine, though my Mother was an early Boomer. My Dad Enlisted in the Army Air Corps, Served in Tokyo with General Whitehead's Far East Air Forces HQ in the Occupational Forces of Japan, my Uncle was a Balo Class Submariner (he ws 6'3"!) USS Seadog, my Stepmom worked at Air Force Plant #4 Consolidated building the empennage section of the B-24 Liberators, the prototype B-36 Peacemakers and the first production run. The neighborhood that I grew up, having been born shortly before the Moon Shot, had no kids my age. So my best friends were Rosie Riveters and World War Two and Korean War Veterans. I would later Serve in the Navy from 2000-2012 as an Airedale (Aircrew), having NEVER stepped foot upon a US Naval Vessel, except for the USS Missouri, during that time.
Navy ratings and pay grades confuse everyone else in the military except for the Coasties. When I attended Operations Specialist 'A' School our class leader was an undesignated seaman who struck for the Coast Guard rating Radarman. The USCG didn't have a school for RD , and the navy rating RD had been redesignated OS , so there he was .
Pretty interesting story, my dad was also a WWII veteran on board the USS Dent as a UDT, precursor to the SEAL. They would launch off of the USS Dent which was a reconfigured WWI Wickes Class destroyer, it had a method to drop UDT off of the fantail and also receive torpedo boats.
To me a ' Captain ' who isnt a Captain is a ' Skipper ' or his rank or 'the old man. ' in WWII you would have Chiefs with 20 plus years of service refer to LTs who ' hadn't learned to shave ' as ' the old man's because they refused to call them Captain (yes I know that it wasn't common for someone of that lowly rank to end up as a CO but it wasn't rare especially as the navy massively expanded , and some sub chasers , and patrol gunboats and most patrol torpedo boats had J.G.s in comand.
Half way through Australian Army basic training, we were allowed day leave (in uniform) to the local city. Feeling very proud & cocky I rolled my beret up and slipped it under my shoulder epaulette and swaggered down the main street. A voice bellowed out (from god knows where), "Get that effing hat on your head". Being an army town, of course this is where recruit training staff lived. Not looking for further confirmation, the beret immediately was whipped out and placed in the correct manner on my terrified head. Ahh! Good times.
Good show, shipmate! Shellback here, Hotel 61. Last cruise of the USS Ranger. Skipper drove us right through the middle of a typhoon. Sponson got wrecked and forward ship's store flooded.
Outstanding review, Master Chief, thank you. I learned a LOT and, having retired after a full career 34 years ago, I was surprised with how much I didn’t know.
Thanks Master Chief. A great, informative video. I was issued the double breasted when I joined in 1974. Some of the more senior ranks blamed CNO Zumwalt for this horrible change. You may remember he also allowed facial hair as well. HM3 Hugh McGinley U. S. Navy ( retired ) also 8404. 1st Med Bn. 1st Mar Div, later 1st FSR, later 1st FSSG. Camp Pendleton, CA
As a Marine serving with Naval Air, we worked off and on with the Sailors (this is 1980s). They called the white hat the Dixie Cup; we called it the dog bowl. Primarily by that time though the working hat was the blue "baseball hat" with appropriate station/ship patch on the front.
my dad was a BT from 51-55. i had asked him about the hats ive seen in color(ized) photos that are grayish or blue or black... he had no idea and never heard of anyone doing that when he was in. THANK YOU for answering a (nearly) life long question!
the Drunk Sailor in other words, I did Boot in 83, A school in early 84, 6 years as a Radioman RM2, i tried to Convert to AW at my EAOS but during advanced Aircrew Candidate School a student was killed during Rescue Swimmers School and the pool and class was shut down for months, so i didnt get to graduate Aircrew, which meant i had to leave at my EAOS i couldnt even re-enlist, so i joined the Army after they let me go. Talk about downgrading
@@cliffords2315, I was an AW3. I went to basic in 1989 at RTC San Diego. Aircrew School at NAS Pensacola. The Rescue Swimmer School was the next step and were separate schools. I did not attend that school and went fixed wing and ASWOC training. First duty station was the ASWOC in Adak Alaska. Then to VS-41 at NAS Coronado. I really miss being in the Navy. The AW rating has since been phased out. I really wish I could have stayed in longer to be part of the P-8 Posiedon aircraft integration.
On liberty in Yakusuka Japan and the Kitty Hawk, (Air Craft Carrier, old one not the new one) would put more SP's on the beach than our two duty sections hitting the beach. They hated Submariners. They nit picked our uniforms, haircuts, shoe shine, neckerchief tieing. You name it. The saving grace was all those write up got tossed in the trash when they reached the boat. Captain had told the Yeomen to not bother he or the XO with them.
The cap reminds me of when my family and I were stranded on a small island while my 17 year old cousin and her boyfriend went alone for a bit on their own. The boat may have tipped and they died trying to return in it or avoid the circling boat. The coast guard found us many hours later on the island. The young coast guard man gave me the hat on the trip back to shore. I was 7, my youngest memory.
@@diane9247 It certainly made me afraid to swim and a life long hidden grudge with my aunt against my mother. My mother had introduced the two together.
One important feature of the white hat. It was also used as a bailer! My dad was a radioman and gunner aboard a PBY from Squadron VP-53 and said the hat was often used to bail water out of life rafts and similar occasions. He learned this in flight school and actually had to use it after a hard water landing. The PBY was still some distance from shore and the pilot misjudged the waves and landed in a trough of a wave popping hull rivets. In an effort to stop the flooding the crew used their white hats to bail water overboard. In the meantime they used pencils to plug the holes! Here is a small tribute to my dad on my photo blog.....capeannimages.blogspot.com/2016/05/memorial-day-when-life-changes.html
This was great! Thank you, master chief. I was in the US Navy from '83-'89 and that billed cap you showed was still authorized my first year or so in. I never bought one. I wore the cup until I shipped out and then it was ballcaps. I still have one of my white hats. My father served in WW2 in Guadalcanal. He told me that, in his day, they folded the hats to form a square. You had to constantly keep it folded to get the brim to retain that square shape.
I’m an Army veteran myself but I also served as a Merchant Marine for 14 years. This video was super well done, thank you for taking the time to research and write this script so well.
Mustang here. One of my proudest moments was the morning after work week ended, and we traded in the RTC ball cap with our dungarees for the white hat. At that point, our CC (MMC Lomont) started treating us like Sailors for the first time.
There was some utility to that hat, in boot camp on swim day they taught us the various ways that you could use you uniform for flotation, that white hat makes a nice big bubble of air that will keep you afloat. Thank you, Master Chief'. Another good one from the Sea Chest.
Just want to thank you for the history. I served in the Navy in the early 90s. I got out and 10 years later joined the National Guard. I had to go back through basic but for the Army. It was a night and day difference. The Navy definitely is more about tradition and pride.
Very interesting and very well done, Master Chief! My father served in the US Navy from 1947-1951 aboard the USS MISSISSIPPI after it was converted from a battleship (BB41) to an experimental auxiliary gunship (AG128), and after listening to him tell sea stories for the first 18 years of my life I was headed for the Navy after I graduated high school. Then in January of my senior year I made a very significant discovery - I get seasick! So I enlisted in the Air Force instead (I was already in the Civil Air Patrol so it was a natural move) and ended up spending 23 years in the service, retiring in 1998 as a Master Sergeant E-7. I've always thought the Navy had some good looking uniforms, especially the dark blue "Crackerjack" uniform. You took a topic that could be nothing but droll and uninteresting and made it VERY interesting! I'm gonna spend some time watching your other videos, and I'm sure I'm gonna like them! 4-0, Master Chief!
@@johnbockelie3899 They ended that by the time i graduated Boot camp in 83, i still have those uniforms they looked more like Naval Academy uniforms than officers though, or like coast gaurd. The Peacoats from that era were better though, they had the Silver buttons on then. The dress hats were low quality it was better to buy an officers hat and replace the gold chinstrap with the black and the Navy Crow but you couldnt fool the inspectors. hey thats Non-Sat its not Issue but they looked allot better
@@cliffords2315 True. I was in 1974-1978. Luckily by 1976, we were able to chuck the fake officer's hats and suit coat dress uniforms for dress whites/dress blues and a Dixie cup. Not easy to keep them clean.
@@BarryStacy Not sure if he was with the unit after Nam. He got there 2 weeks before TET in 68 and came back in 69. Was one of the Divers who tapped into the peace talks over there. From there San diego changing screws on subs then to Pearl in 71 or 2 on asr-8 USS Coucal.
I too, have been fascinated by Navy hats, especially the flat hat. We were issued flat hats at Great Lakes in early 1960, but never wore as uniform of the day. I did wear mine when home on leave during cold weather. Before mustering out in 1964, I bought a small suitcase of them from small stores to take home and give out to the neighborhood kids.I have one left in a dresser drawer. It brings back fond memories.
Loved the mention of the Ceremonial Guard. I served in the Guard for my first assignment. We spent about as much time working on the details of our uniforms as we did performing for the public, the President, and our more somber duty of funerals. It was a great start to a long career that saw me wearing that suit, to begin with, then to cracker jacks, khaki, and later the addition of an officer's crest.
When I was in Boot Camp (SD 1993) our CC was a GM1 who had been on a Battleship. We all wore our white hats with what he called The Battleship Roll. The brim was rolled over. I always wore my white hat like that until I got out.
As a retired CPO, I can say honestly I hated the "Dixie Cup" especially when it rained. The damn thing would shrink on your head.I do admire the British Navy's enlisted hats. I loved my flat hat.
August 1959, 17 yrs old, I joined the US Navy and entered Boot Camp at Great Lakes Ill. where I was issued my first uniforms. Included in that issue was the "Flat Cap" with the blue ribbon printed with "US NAVY" along with 3 Dixie Cups and a set of Dress Whites with piping and stars on flap and wrists. In boot camp we were required to hand wash our uniforms (except the woolen winter uniforms) and then "Tie" the wet clothing to outside clothes lines using the "stops" (12" ropes) that were also part of my first uniforms issues. We "Ironed" our patch pocket jeans and whites with the round metal cans that WISK laundry detergent came in by filling the empty cans with hot water and rolling them over our clothes. Some other things we were issued back then were 100% wool bathing suits that fit like jockey underwear instead of the "trunks". The "PEA" coats were 100% wool and extremely heavy .. I would guess those Pea coats weighed about 15 pounds. Our winter Dress Blues were 13 button fronts with a tie string in back to make the pants fit securely. In the mid 1960's the navy came out with a white "Shirt" to replace the pull-over jumper for those who wanted them.. I liked the shirt for it's cooler and comfortable wear during hot weather. I served until January 1967 and was honorably discharged with the rank/rating of E-5 Machines Mate 2cd class.
Marines would steal a Sailor's white hat and feed their mascot food in it since it looked like a dog dish. Checkout the old Charlie Brown cartoons and you'll Snoopy using his white hat like a dog dish also.
@@JohnFourtyTwo Never noticed. Funny. Snoopy was a Sopwith Camel Kaiser Hunting Allied pilot. Snoopy is a combat Veteran and war hero. 20, 30, 40 or more. Snoopy fired his guns to even the score. The "bloody Red Barron."
Back in the late '60's or so, a friend of mine who enlisted in the navy, showed me his white hat. He showed how practical it was, pulling the brim down to protect against the sun, another feature, if one should have to tread water or float for a while, the hat could be used to hold a bubble of air to keep one from sinking, I thought that was clever. I think there may have been other things he showed me but I can't remember. The flotation device was the winner. Jim
Fascinating and well done. My father was a Chief Petty Officer, was in Pearl Harbor, physically survived that horror. We grew up watching Navy Log and other such productions. Interesting to watch this. Thank you.
Great vid🙏🙏🙏🙏 Man…. I live in the South Pacific…, your story brings some much humanity of those who serves the US & your Allies in the fight for this huge ocean/ region….., we all still live in their shadow 🌹🙏🇺🇸
In boot camp (San Diego, 1962-63) I was issued a Donald Duck flat hat, complete with ribbon bearing the emblem "U.S. Navy" and carried it in my seabag during my entire hitch ('62-66), including our time as part of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club. The cover was much too small for me, but when it was issued we were told that it was not part of our official seabag and was being issued for the purpose of depleting the inventory. Donated it and most of my other military memorabilia decades later to the Sons of Liberty Museum which preserves such things (even crumbling paperwork such as my WW2 ration book). Great outfit.
I was issued a flat hat as an initial issue in 1963. I still have it with my dress blue jumper, zipper front pants, NOT 13 buttons, and "greasy snake" neckerchief, (thanks to the 7-Seas Locker Club in San Diego). Wish I still had a 1963 white hat. Alas, no longer. Thanks for the video. Jon
I arrived at recruit training San Diego in July of 1962. Company 62-394. We were issued flat hats as part of the dress blue uniform which also included the 13 button trousers. We were told that the flat hats were being issued until the supplies were exhausted but were no longer being required to be worn. I no longer have mine.
I remember when they got rid of the 'Cracker Jack' uniform, my old man (who was already retired by then) had a cow. He blamed the whole thing on Admiral Zumwalt. No idea how much Zumwalt actually had to do with the decision, I just know that after that 'Zumwalt' was a swear word in our house. lol
I wasn't happy either. I though it was a dumb move. No place on small ships for that sort of thing. I am and was very proud of my Cracker Jacks. Stand all the services up together and who does the public recognize? The Sailor. At glance the rest look alike. The only one standing out. No fancy buttons to polish or creases to keep straight. Just blues and white hat!
The U.S. Navy may look like clowns when invited to ceremonies or parades, yet they are respected by other navies as being a real blue deep water navy. The seafarers uniform was utilitarian and functional during WW2. The bell bottoms an example.
@@albertrobbins6482 In 1970 I was temped to re-enlist but decided not to. After Zumwalt I was sure that wasn't going to be in the cards. When 1984 came around I would have had my 20 but by then the Navy was getting too screwed over by armchair admirals all wanting to make their mark I knew it wasn't fixable. Navy need to get back to basics.
Thanks for your videos. I served in VP 10 from 1970 through 1973. The only time we ever wore dress uniforms was for travel, inspections and formal ceremonies. Most other times we always wore squadron ball caps and dungarees. Never cared much for the white hat or dress uniform although I do appreciate the tradition.
Whilst serving in the RAF in Singapore 1967-9, USS Enterprise & her escorts paid a visit. Some of us showed some of the sailors around, & helped save them from being ripped off by locals. A friend & myself were able to go aboard the giant Carrier & had a conducted tour. We swapped items of uniform with some of the sailors, & I had a white, cap as described here. I kept it for years, & by turning the brim down, it made a serviceable sun hat. Eventually, it became more hole than hat, & was disposed of. I still miss it!
As my late husband called his navy cover, his Dixie Cup. I still have 2 of his hat (cap). My hubby said the little tab on the inside was very useful. They would tie line to it and put it over the side of the ship as they were going out at sea. The salt water would whiten the hat, and save them ftom bleaching it in the wash. Also if you fell overboard. the hat could keep you afloat . I also have 2 of his dress uniform that he has liberty cuffs sewn on the sleeves. I loved the storys he told me about his time in the navy. The places he got to see. He was a vietnam vet .I miss him.
That line was called a 'close stop'
Close pins do not do well at sea!
May God bless your husband and seat him on his right.
The white hat was very hard to keep. Just keep disappearing.The only thing that does not change sizes as you get older. Is your hat.
Was your husband at Norfolk? My Uncle was in The Bay of Pigs and 2 tours in Viet Nam. He was on guard duty and was stabbed with a bayonet- they were very tense days while he was MIA. My Grandfather also a Navy lifer, contacted all USS Hospital Ships because the critically injured were taken to these ships for major surgical procedures.
What are “liberty cuffs”, please?
The Dixie cup, as I remember the white hat being called, also had a safety purpose. The tight weave of the hat made it somewhat like a balloon. You could take it off your head when you were in the water and soak it well and then scoop the air with it and place the brim on your stomach forming a small balloon of sorts. This provided enough additional flotation to allow a person to more easily float on their back in light seas while waiting for rescue. The flared dungaree pants were also made to be easy to remove when in the water and make a flotation device out of. Tying off the legs and scooping the air with them and then rolling the waistband allowed you to put the pants behind your neck with the legs on either side of your head keeping your head afloat.
Yes, "Bellbottoms" 😊👍👍
That is interesting! Thank you, sir.🇺🇸
We learned that at boot camp in Great Lakes & practiced with the pants in the pool.
Learned it in boot camp in 1968
Dang I knew about the pants but not that deal with the hai. Well thanks for getting the Marine Corps there. Directly from my heart to seal team 3 strictly badass and yes your man got his hamburger from In-N-Out he didn't even have to wait till Tuesday morning 😂
At my fathers funeral, I spoke of how we 5 children enjoyed playing with his white hats and his hammock! He served in WWII and Korea. Love you Dad. 💕🐝💕🇺🇸
I had no idea anyone could talk for twenty minutes about hats, and I enjoyed every minute!
A good navy man can talk 20 minutes about anything.........
Ditto, Mike!
I love hats hence why im here
We should all strive to spend more time in the presence of haberdashers.
I watch Ted Talks for fun. lol
Great video. Some things I remember about the "Dixie Cup" from my time in the USN:
1. It was to be worn two-fingers above the eyebrow and level with the ground. No jaunty angles, as cool as that looks. After 12 weeks of boot camp most of us had very tan faces with glaring white foreheads.
2. In boot camp we washed them with white shaving cream. Every night, while the rest of us were cleaning the barracks, a separate crew was outside scrubbing covers and leggings.
3. It seemed like a good idea, but never try and wear a brand new cover during inspection. It must have been washed at least once and new ones are easy to spot.
4. During survival training, we were taught to flip the brim down and wear it Gilligan-style to protect our ears from the sunshine. We also learned other cool stuff, like how to inflate your t-shirt and pants to make a flotation device.
5. The Dixie Cup was only worn during boot camp, A school and with dress or working blues. On a ship or shore duty when wearing dungarees, we wore a baseball-style cap with a patch across the front bearing the ship's name. I still have mine from the USS Wabash AOR5.
That is all.
We had two a blue one for Port Duty and a green when being UNDERWAY!!
I remember all the time that was spent teaching us how to wash our clothing while in boot camp - plus the many pages in the Bluejacket's Manual regarding laundering uniforms. I was then assigned to USS Forrestal (CVA-59) after boot camp - and was never allowed to wash my clothing again.
Since there is a finite amount of training time available in boot camp, I wonder if the time learning how to launder uniforms could not have been better spent.
Man, made me remember and laff about our faces, hands and foreheads...GRINDER REMINDERS! Ranger CV61 BZ bro
I was also under the impression that the dixie cup hat could also serve as flotation by folding it down ("Gilligan style") and making an air pocket. I could be wrong on this. BTW- my son served on the USNS Leroy Grumman T-AO 195 until last year with Military Sealift Command- another fleet oiler guy.
The Navy has the worst uniforms of all the services especially the hats….. former snipe…
Old jar-head (79-83) here and being a Department of the Navy, hear me out.
We wore a starched cover using a block and ind starch by the gallon.
I could throw my cover through a single pane of glass. I will blame my hair loss as a causality of my military service.
Great video, fond memories...
I realize this video is 3 years old but my oh my.. the beautiful memories it brings of my Brother in the Navy in Vietnam era. He served on the Herbert J Thomas and the USS Keppler. He's gone now but this is such a sweet reminder of those happier times. Thank you Sir.
My dad was WWII Navy, remember seeing his Navy pic when he was about 19. Blue top, white hat. My dad looked good, military, proud, American. Now he would have been 98. Miss him.
19:22 "People started complaining that they looked like bus drivers."
I was Air Force. I feel your pain.
We went on liberty in Vancouver during the CPO uniform time. The locals all thought we were cops. Everyone was very happy we went back to the old uniform.
See also: US Coast Guard 1967-present.
In 1989, I was studying Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. One day while I was wearing my "working whites" the checkout person at one of the AAFES registers asked me if I was in the military. Man I got hot. I was like, "Is that a joke?!?". Luckily one of the floor supervisors was around to explain that the cashier was new and didn't recognize all the uniforms. :)~
@@garybolenable Wow! Nine months in Monterey? Sweet duty, huh?
@@hlynnkeith9334 12 months! Best twelve months of my life! Well, not including being stationed in Spain and going TAD to Crete every 90 days, but getting to stay in a hotel because there was no room for berthing at the Souda Bay Naval Air Station. :)
We were taught in boot camp during water exercises to use the “Dixie Cup” as a flotation device. Wet the hat to keep air inside and hold it close to your chest to help you float.
Damn. I said that a week ago. Guess you didn't read it.
My brother said the same thing. He also talked about how he was trained to use the trousers the same way by tying a knot in the cuffs and turning them upside down, trapping air in the legs.
your right your old navy!
Those old Dungarees were my favorite uniform to wear, both my Father and Grandfather wore the same uniforms, I just hated the pockets.
@@MrAndyBearJr I learned how to do that in Boy Scouts when I was a kid.
Thank you and great video!
Warning- Long story ahead. So my dad joined the USN in 1939. He was stationed on the USS Texas and then got transferred to a Consolidated PBY outfit on the east coast. After that they transferred the PBY’s to Brazil. He was a crew chief and also a bubble gunner on the PBY. They used to go on patrols looking for German subs as they were all over the east coast and sinking merchant ships within sight of land. Same thing in Brazil. He remembered the “dog ears” appearing on the white hats during WWII and he said it made the Chiefs mad but it was a Navy filled with draftees and so the Navy had to back down over the issue. He had tons of sea stories and he was the main reason I joined the Navy in 1990. He was a sailor until the day he died and was always buying leaky sail boats and fixing them up (with me as his barnacle scraper). Anchors aweigh dad, I miss you.
Thank you for that Master Chief. I wanted to add my two cents in what I experienced and learned while serving, starting in Oct of 1957. I was issued the flat hat in my seabag, but never wore it as a part of the uniform. Scuttlebutt was one reason it was discontinued was when you were in dress blues, and walking at night on liberty, you were almost totally in dark colors and many sailors were run over by autos. As for the white hat, one would have to admit it is a very versatile head cover, but my complaint through the years was how it was worn. In my years most of us took great pride in the shaping of it, these days and those, some sailors just plop the hat on, no shape whatsoever. The look should always be the way The Lone Sailor Statue wears it.
Wow! You must be silent generation. Good to see you commenting and hope you are staying well sir.
The edges were rolled by the old salts, it showed how much you could get away with. Also if it's turned down and the jersey flap tucked under it made a gunpowder proof anti sparks protector. So sparks don't go down your neck. That's what I was told in gunnery school '72.
Limited your head motion but worked. A 3"50 cal gun mount can get very messy.
Wow, I never heard about that one. I've always admired some of the other navy's covers, like the Royal Navy. However, our navy's covers are much more versatile.
Fold it , bend it, put into your belt, put in your back pocket, and maybe use it to help keep you afloat. It's interesting most of the time on one's head, they never look uniform.
But it's all good. @@DarrellCook-vl6lm
I was also issued a flat hat in my seabag in 1962, but like you, I never wore it with the uniform. I rolled the edges of my white hat. CWO4 Retired.
There was a very funny picture joke of a young Navy Ensign who has just arrived on the quarterdeck with his luggage. He is greeted by a Chief. The Ensign says to the Chief, "I want to get started immediately on a training program. So take my luggage to my stateroom." The Chief responds, "Why don't we start that training right now."
CLASSIC!
Junior officers who were smart, knew from the very beginning who ran the ship.
Ain't that true throughout life? Learn from those who live it.
@@masterchiefsseachest1983
Butter Bars are so cute, when they try to act like they know what's going on.
@@stevenwiederholt7000 That is why my favorite Army LT., an ROTC Cornell graduate, seemed to listen first and gather information before he spoke. I wished I had kept in touch with him. Merry Christmas, LT. ALLEN, wherever you are.
Interesting. I enlisted in '64. Never knew I missed getting the old flat hat by a year. Got out in '68 so I didn't have to go through the Zumwalt fiasco. I have a picture of my uncle on liberty in Honolulu during WW2 , Dixie cup on the back of his head, bell bottoms flapping as he strides down the street. Looks like a proud American sailor and nothing else!
I went to Boot in June '64 in San Diego. Missed the Flat Hat too.
Might have been sporting LIBERTY CUFFS too. Must have had a Tailor Made uniform. The Navy never issued bell bottoms, only stove pipe.
I joined in 76, and my main regret is that I didn't get to wear the classic uniform. I was, on one occasion, mistaken for a bus driver. Thanks for the history lesson, and Go Blue! (class of 88).
Thank you Master Chief for your videos! I served 29+ years in the Marine Corps, I retired as a MSGT. As a "shipmate" I have always enjoyed sea stories from my Navy couterparts. We both share a common history. You are an excellent story-teller and you provide a valuable service to today's Navy in keeping the customs and courtesies alive. I look forward to your other UA-cam videos. Bravo Zulu!
I second that! We are soooo very lucky to have been “adopted” by a couple who, every year, invite us over for Thanksgiving. The man of the house was a long time Navy man, a boson (forgive if I spelled it incorrectly!), and every year it’s a delight to hear his stories!!
Semper Fi Chief
My 1960 boot camp issue included a flat hat which never left the bottom of my sea bag. Sixty years later, here, I still have it... at the bottom of a dresser drawer.
My boot camp company (1962) was issued flat ("Donald Duck") hats (covers) along with white hats. We were told that the flat hats were not a required part of our seabag but that they were being issued just to deplete the obsolete stock. Mine was a couple of sizes too small (6 7/8") for my head, so it went with me in my seabag but was not worn, nor was it authorized to be worn. Still like new, I donated it and most of the other memorabilia to a museum. That way it all may be preserved for future generations.
they made good Frizbees
me also
I enlisted in '72 and was issued my dixie cup, but the rest of my uniform was something totally different from what I've always seen sailors wear. I was so happy when I boarded the USS Oklahoma City and could buy the standard blue shirt and wayfarer trousers.
I too served aboard the USS Oklahoma City (CLG5) and was a cook. It was the flagship of the 7th fleet. I believe it was around 1971 or 1972. I then transferred to its sister ship, the CLG6.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA some sailor. WAYFARER? WTF You mean SEAFARER.
I was told by an ex sailor that the white cap folded down was used as a flotation device. Also the pants could be buttoned up and the cuff tied into knots.Once it was wet you cupped it over the water and the pant legs would fill with air enough to keep you afloat for a while. When the air would dissipate, you cupped them over the water again as necessary
True. It was taught in bootcamp, and we practice it. In 1995 a Marine fell off the USS America into the Indian Ocean and treaded water for 36 hours using his overalls like that until rescued by Pakistani fishermen.
The secret to it is don't put pressure on it downward, just make sure it's completely wet and force it down in a downward motion and just lightly hold it over your belly and you'll float forever so long as it stays wet or until you get eaten by a shark lol.
I’m a Vietnam Veteran of the Marine Corps and have always wondered about the white hats of the Navy. My dad and older brother were sailors but they didn’t know either. Thanks.
I enlisted in 1969, went to be an advisor to the RVN Navy in the riverine force, 1969 to 1970. Due to a car bombing, the only uniform I had when I came back was a set of gabardine dress blues made in Hong Kong. I bought dungarees and one set of whites. In 1972 I was selected for NESEP and bought midshipman blues. Therefore escaped having to get the enlisted suit uniform. These uniforms were made cheaply, which added to the difficulties for the sailors who had to wear them. I still have the enlisted blues, and both the full dress and service dress blues. I also have my Grandfathers sword which I wore only once, when I retired in 1989. Thank you for your service! As well as this channel.
Where did you go to boot camp in '69? I liked the old dress blues. They were warm and since they were wool they shed water. After boot camp I went to A school and ended up on a tender in Scotland. The only time I wore a dress uniform was for inspection. The rest of time I wore dungarees with a ball cap. I got out for a long time and later went in the USNR. We were wore BDU's and the Marine cap. When we went to Desert Storm the were going to issue us desert "camos," but that never happened. EN 1.
@@Canopus68 I was in company 654 at GLAKES...Nov 66 to Jan 67...yes it snowed like hell in January that year....went to Naval Nuclear Power school in 1968 and after I completed got assigned to training at Coronado CA, which included 4 weeks weapons and tactics at Camp Pendelton, SERE at warner springs, and language school. We were issued army green jungle uniforms, poncho liner and an M-16 in Saigon. When I got to the advisory group we wore the RVN naval camo uniform and insignia...there were several weapons to choose from but the M-16 with all tracers was most effective to mark target areas for air support. Kinda like a laser pointer. After all that I was sent to submarine school in Sep 1971.....I think they did not know what to do with me there but I was already in the NESEP pipeline. So I graduated first in the subschool class and was later assigned to the Benjamin Franklin SSBN 640.
@@Canopus68 the 1969 date for bootcamp was a typo....it should have been 1966.
One of the most common mistakes people make is that “tar” in the days of wooden sailing vessels was not bitumen, it was Stockholm tar, or pine resin. It turns black when it is burned. It runs off when you make charcoal.
Thankyou for that detail, but, I figgure it was still smelly, hot, hard, uncomfortable and generally makes a mess of your hair! To the point of just shaving your hair just so the "tar" would not stick to your hair!!
I am amazed in how a person just managed to fill 20 minutes, talking about a hat, and make is sound exciting in the same time.
Most Master Chiefs I know are excellent story tellers and very intelligent ppl.
HM2- FMF Corpsman US Navy 10 years 🇺🇸
@@jwbland8375 Yes very True. Excellent point Devil Doc. ! Semper Fi !
Thank you, Master Chief. I served 4 years in the US Navy 1983-1987 aboard USS Pensacola LSD-38, NAB, Little Creek, VA. and wore the "Dixie Cup" with pride. After I was honorably discharged from the US Navy, I joined the US Coast Guard and served an additional 24 years. I loved both services. I was a BT in the US Navy and became a corpsman in the US Coast Guard. As a "Coastie", I attended the US Navy Preventive Medicine Tech School as well as the Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman School (SF-IDC School) in 2000 and 2005-2006, respectively. According to the The cadre at the IDC School, I was the first US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer to ever attend the SF-IDC School. The IDC instructors checked the IDC archives and verified this interesting fact. I was proud to be the first US Coast Guard CPO (Health Services Technician, Chief) to attend this challenging school. Your video is very interesting, educational, and historically accurate as well as entertaining. As we say in the US Coast Guard: Bravo Zulu! Well done! Thank you for your service, shipmate. G.M., BT3, USN; HSC, USCG, (Ret.).
GREAT piece of history... I joined in 1976, when we was issued the Double Breasted Jacket, and those stupid Blue Utilities (pull over, and button up). Glad they went back to the Dungarees. When we went back to Cracker Jacks, I wore dress blues (100 percent wool) from my Uncle who was a WW2 and Korea Conflict Vet with LIBERTY CUFFS AND BIB.
I joined in 76 too. Didn't like the "chiefs type" uniform. Nobody else I knew did either. Was very happy when crackerjacks came back. Had a set of gabberdine tailormades w/liberty cuffs. RM1 USN(RET)
you could press your dress blues under your rack mattress
@@SuperFaceman23 If you are referring to Cracker Jacks, YEP, did that all the time. As for the Double Breasted Jacket, NOPE, didn't work.
Thank you Master Chief for a great video. I served in the USN for four years. 1967-1971. I loved my Navy uniform. Dress blues were the sharpest Uniform in the world, but I always thought the white hat was a weak point. The old blue flat hat would have been a lot better. Thanks again for a great history lesson and thank you for your service.
The females had one thing that was "Fancy" they were given a blue Berat!
I served in The U.S. Coast Guard during The Viet Nam War and our inspection and Liberty Hats were the white older type with the head band that said Coast Guard but the rest of our sea-going uniforms were exactly like The Navy's with the Dixie Cup and dungarees except when we had long sleeve items on then we had a small Shield on the right arm (I'm very old now and hope I remembered this correctly)!! Our hats were fairly comfortable and rain proufe. In 1967 we weren't taught to use the caps for flotation just the shirts and dungarees at boot camp in Alameda Calif. Thanks Chief for bringing back some of the great memories of being at sea~!!
Great video Chief. I served 1970-74 (USS Forrestal, CVA-59). One thing you didn't touch upon was how the white hat could be used as a flotation device. When I was in boot camp at RTC Orlando, my DI, BMC Horne (amazing how you don't forget the name of your DI), during a pool exercise, had us float on our backs, turn the white hat inside-out, get it wet, clamp it to our stomachs after capturing air in it and how it would help you float for a few minutes. He also had us, when in the pool, take off our pants, tie knots at the bottom of the legs, capture air and how it turned into a floatation device, like water wings. Chief Horne said that every thing you wear can be turned into a floation device. Look forward to watching more of your videos.
They taught us with coveralls. Button the top of the collar and while belly down in the water swat air bubbles into the front opening and it fills up your back with air like a big ol blue hunchback and you can float around like that for quite some time. Still prefer the pants lifejacket method it's a little more comfortable
I'm a retired Army SSG that has always been interested in Naval history and traditions. Keep these going! Also a writer that needs this all for a story or two.
They've been under attack by "them, those and they" since post Tailhook in 1992.... Many have been watered down or done away with throuout the years, sadly. When I made Chief we had 10 weeks of Initiation, part military training, part college fraternity Initiation,but it taught me teamwork, humility, honesty and fidelity... Nowadays, gone since around the time I retired in 2010. Shellbacking or crossing the equator a tradition that goes back to the Romans, watered down, although I will admit because many got out of hand with the hijinks.
Sounds like you should have joined the Navy instead of the Army.
HM3 USN 1971-74
I served Navy 1971 to 1975. and I served 2 years one a ship home ported on the west coast and the same on the east coast. It was like serving in two different Navy's, On the west coast my white hat rim was folded down, Neckerchief was double rolled and high tied, Jumper was tailored and liberty cuffs. corfam dress shoes. We had a dress inspection two weeks after I reported to the DE on the east coast. My chief took one look at me and asked what Halloween party I was ready for. My division head, had a little chat with me after the inspection, well I had a couple more as I never changed.
New construction at Electric Boat on Groton, Conn. It is about Dec and at quarters one morning we have a new guy. Second class, Submarine Qualified and in Tropical Whites and sun tanned as can be. Needing a haircut and little gold earring. Turns out he was two days out of the Philippines. Had been on a 72 liberty and when he got back to his boat his bag had been packed and he had about 30 minutes to get his plane. After quarters he was told to see the chief Steward for a haircut and remove the earring and get into some dungarees.The closer to DC you were the deeper the BS.
Navy from 1969 to 1974. Stationed at the Naval Hospital in San Diego for two years after boot camp. Lots of guys had the same style coming out of the shops downtown - rolled neckerchief, tailored blues to the knees before the flair (which were almost black in comparison to regular dress blues), and the corfam shoes. Spent the last two years in Rhode Island. None of that "West Coast" style in sight. Standard unrolled neckerchief, untailored pants, and almost no corfam shoes (some had never even heard of them). Most of the guys had gone through Great Lakes for boot camp and then were stationed on or near the east coast. Glad I didn't go with the style in San Diego - I suspect my Chief would have had words with me when I reported for duty in Rhode Island.
But from what I can remember, where you went to boot camp during those years determined how you wore your white hat. Seemed the west coast sailors had various rolls and stuff going on, but on the east coast, it seemed it was a variety of wings on the side. My experience was that too much wing or roll made it difficult to keep your hat on in a breeze.
@@nickchevance9401 Still have my "greasy snake" rolled 'kechief. When I do put on my uniform I wear it with pride. It is still the only part of my original uniform I can still get into.
In Japan, when you bought a neckerchief, they came already rolled, the old Filipinas or JNs working at the exchange would be rolling piles of them. In places like Norfolk you buy one and it was folded flat and square, you had to wet it and roll it yourself.
@@victorglaviano I'm pretty sure I bought mine in SD at the "7Seas". It's what first pops into my mind. We're talking 56 years ago now. Somethings get fuzzy around the edges. Do remember I got my first Tattoo at "Doc Webbs" in SD. Was warned to stay away from "Painless Nells".
My dad was a medical corpsman in World War II, and was recalled to active duty in Korea just after he graduated from medical school. When he went back in, they made him an officer and he did not get a white hat. He didn't save any of his uniforms except for his white hat. When he was working outside, and when he'd go fishing for trout, he'd wear that hat, but with the stitched part pulled down so that it didn't make a gutter, but instead shaded his eyes and his neck. He wore that hat until he literally wore it out. They were made quite sturdily, and though he served through the mid-1950's, and probably got that hat in the 1940's it didn't wear out until the 1980's. 40+ years of wear on any article of clothing is amazing. Those hats were very well made.
I also found it interesting about how it was folded, because he always put it away just like that.
My hat’s off to this brief tutorial on maritime headwear.
Thanks a lot. This was fascinating. When my late Father was serving as an Officer in the British Army we were posted to the island of Malta. It was there that I attended a British Royal Naval School. We were taught by Naval Officers in RN uniform appropriate to the season. I will never forget these fine men in their ‘tropical whites’ who lined us up for morning assembly. They looked magnificent. When I was about twelve years old we got to go on board the British Carrier Ark Royal who was in Valetta Harbour. That was a sight I will never forget. We went down into the hanger decks and they were massive. The carrier was like a floating city. When I was a young boy I read The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsaratt. It was a highly authentic novel about the battle of the Atlantic and filled me with the greatest respect for all who served in Navies the world over.
the Cruel Sea was an excellent book, i read it as a young teen
During my time in the Navy, August 60 through Aug 80, I went through four uniform changes. Drove us nuts in the fleet.
proud to have served in the USN as a Seabee Construction Mechanic CMCN 2007-2010 still have my crackerjacks, dress whites and my woodland camo uniforms plus my white Dixie Cup and utility covers too! Great video Master Chief! 🇺🇸🦅❤️🤍💙⚓️🛠⛵️
Folding the brim in half to the outside all the way around until it looked like a Frisbee. Popular in places like "A" school where the white hat was required. Formed the "wing" and, when placed on your desk upside down, kept the normally visible parts clean as they were to the inside. Folded flat and in your back pocket all day in class just added some interesting and unwanted creases in odd places.
My white hats never saw the inside of a washer or dryer. Navy-issue scrub brush, shaving cream, and a few minutes in the head gave you a sparkling white hat ready to air dry for the next day.
Later tonight I will watch your video on the jumper. Curious to see if you address their tendency to shrink rather drastically around the belly and waist when hung in the closet for 30 years...
I have my set of very expensive Gaberdines, all tailored to fit, in my closet. Even they develop this malady. Fit oh so nice. Even the Jumper had the under arm zipper. So easy to get on and off.
Here's my theory on the origin of the hat: I suspect the brim was originally intended to be able to be folded down to provide protection from hot sun and rain, similar to a rain slicker hat. That actually makes perfect sense when you consider the design. But nobody ever actually did it, so it was left folded up and eventually stitched up. One thing Master Chief fails to mention is how utterly impractical a brimmed hat would be in the tight confines of a ship, doubly so the early 20th century ships that were smaller and jam-packed with machinery. The straw hats they used to wear would have caused tons of problems for sailors when they actually went belowdecks. Having a single hat where the brim could be folded would be a huge benefit.
So many tricks, so little time...applies to WestPac liberty ports, too! 😎🤑😻
Yep!! That shrinkage does not fit a waist when it goes from 28" to 38" Even the " 13 button " NAVY DRESS BLUE " DON'T FIT!!!
The British humorist Denis Norden once said, "I tried on my old RAF uniform the other week. Do you know, the only thing that still fits is the tie?".
Obviously all military clothing has a tendency to shrink dramatically when stored for any length of time.
My thanks for a enjoyable and interesting video.
Thank you Master Chief! I was a QM2 1986-1990. This was great history I had never heard before. Most people don't realize that that "dixie cup" can keep you afloat in a pinch.
I entered the Navy in 1975, and we had the suit uniforms you described with the bus driver hats. The cracker jack (dress uniform) came back in somewhere around 1980. But, like most sailors, I was in dungarees most of the time. I did have a time when I was an instructor, and had to wear a variant of the dress uniform (which we called salt and peppers). Seems to me, you could use the Dixie cup hat with that uniform. Fun video. Thanks for the memories Master Chief.
M nnn
The Cracker Jacks become mandatory in July of 1985. I remember having to buy a set of whites and blues for a seabag inspection mid July, spending around $100,. Then I made Chief in September. I never wore them. I did however wear the dixie cup, maybe for a year or so. Very comfortable.
Well done! As a Vietnam era Submarine sailor I would have hated any changes to the uniform. No Room. The white hat on the rare occasions we were on the surface or in port on top side watch could be folded down in bad weather. Then the flap on the back of your blues tucked up under it to protect you from the wind. Great idea I always thought it was designed that way.
My husband is a collector of uniforms. He love this stuff. Watching a war movie with him is a pain.
Humor him, he loves history and the men that made it. He has a very respectable hobby. 👍🇺🇸
we marvel after those who sought the wonders in the world they wrought
It's a pain because Hollywood makes so many mistakes with their props.
My Dad was US Navy Honor guard for JFK's Funeral he was Flag Barer behind the Cason
Remember that fateful weekend, just turned 18. Awful.
I was 3 years old then, and it is my first ever memory.
big shoes to fill.
My dad and his ship help rescue JFK. I have a book with the story in it, my dad told me years ago how JFK was a young guy at the time and in pretty bad shape, his torpedo boat had been rammed in half by a Japanese destroyer. He also told me that JFK was a nice guy, real down to earth.
@@victorglaviano Wow, another great story. Thanks for sharing that.
Was proud as hell to wear that hat 70 years ago and still am. NAVY!! USS Mountrail, USS Mt McKinley, COMPHIBGRU3, USS Estes, USS Columbus.
Excellent vid Chief. It brought back a lot of memories to this old PN3, 1970-74.
After 23 years on active duty and several more years in the Navy ceremony business, I knew none of this! Thanks, Master Chief!
When I was enlisted from the late 60's to 79 a great many of us turned the brim of our white down as you described. We called it "tuning" our hat. Nothing in regs prevented it as far as I knew. The uniform changes were so screwed up during that time and cost us a mint to keep up with the changes. I see they are still doing that to these poor folks. And actually it didn't stop when I made Chief.
We called it a "Fleet roll" and the squaring with the sides pushed in "dog eared".
Nothing had changed when I retired in 2010, they had gotten worse with uniformapalooza!
Thanks for sharing. I served in the Navy from 1961 to 1967. I was issued a blue flat hat but it stayed in my locker. The "Dixie Cup," white hat was worn most of the day.
My dad was a 28 yr. Master chief machinist mate. Smartest man I’ve ever met. Some people know a little about everything. He knew a lot about everything and more. He was very highly respected. I joined years after he retired. But after boot camp I was an eod diver and met a few high rankers that knew pops and spoke highly of him.I was very proud. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to have a long career,I did make 3rd class twice,I had a quick temper. I lost my leg from an ied few yrs later. Tried to go back with a fake leg but they were having it. I was gonna go marines but went private contractors. Good money. I had a special leg for diving,it look cool under water. Scary. I father passed 5 yrs ago. RIP master chief.
He must have enlisted at 17 to go up in rank that quickly besides being very smart. May he, a shipmate rest in God's loving embrace.
RIP to your dad & mine. My dad held the same rank as yours.
👍👍💯🇺🇸
You can add mine in too. 25 years in the active Navy ( 1946-1971 ) and 5 in the Inactive reserve. Died a little over 10 years ago, buried in his last uniform Jacket without his ribbon bars per his request. Dad made CTMCM at age 36. He had made E-7 when an E-7 was the highest enlisted rank and had often refused the jump to becoming an Officer.
I was a young SN, Spring of '92 in "A" School in Orlando, FL. Heading outside on a break, I walk by the smoke pad twirling my white hat on a finger. Gnarled old Master Chief, putting out his butt, sees me and asks, "Sailor! That friggin' cover say "WHAM-O!" on it?!?" Me, stuffing my cover on my pumpkin head: "Uh, no, Master Chief!"
Couple weeks later, another break, same smoke pad, same old Master Chief, same white hat being twirled on same finger: "Sailor! That friggin' cover say "WHAM-O!" on it?!?" Me, showing Master Chief the inside of my cover with "WHAM-O!" written in black Sharpie on one of the ribs: "Sure does, Master Chief!"
Short version of the rest of this story: Way wrong answer. And that cover, "WHAM-O!" now faded to a slightly less noticeable gray, is in my retirement chest.
-ETNCM(SS), Ret.
LOL!
It makes a good Frisbee. Chiefs usually have some since of humor.
Now that’s funny 😄
Which boats did you serve on, Master Chief?
@@ZommBleed WOODROW WILSON (SSN-624 Decom), RHODE ISLAND (BLUE), PENNSYLVANIA (GOLD), LOUISIANA (GOLD), KENTUCKY (Overhaul)
Great video. I was enlisted Navy and Army Officer. That's a great collection. Thanks!
When I was a little boy, probably around 1953 or 54, I found my older brothers white hat, and I wore it with enormous pride until I was a teenager! I only wish I still had it after all these years.
Me too!!
Thank you Chief for that wonderful information on our Navy’s various uniforms over the years. Truthfully I liked our uniforms of the late 1960’s thru the 1970’s. From our dress uniforms even down to our denim dungarees. I was in from 1969 to fall of 1973. Still to this day, can fortunately fit in my uniforms. Is really enjoyed all the information you shared. Thank you and thank you for all your service for our great nation.⚓️
My Navy hitch was 1980-1986. I preferred those uniforms too. We had the Crackerjacks and the "suit&tie" Class As. I don't like the current uniforms, the overalls style. My old ET Seniorchief had a favorite saying - "US Navy, two hundred years of tradition unmarred by progress!" 😊
Sadly that has changed.😢
Great vid on the history and evolution of the dixie cup hat. In the early 70s, I was lucky enough to squeak into the last of the jumper style, instead of having to wear the milkman uniform. In basic, during water survival training, we were taught to use the wet canvas cover for flotation when placed over the center of gravity. Didn't work as well as knotting the end of white tropical pants legs and filling them with air, but I guess the psychological effect of doing anything was the why of it. Thanks for the memory nudge.
Joined in 74 and was surprised as well as disappointed when I was issued my Zumwalt suit. First thing I did was to go out and purchase a nice set of gabardine crackerjacks, complete with liberty cuffs and interior embroidery. Got to wear them a full year before they were no longer authorized. Broke them back out sometime in the early 80s.
Yeah...Zumwalt screwed us with the uniform change....I got called a milk man on many a summer day....Hated the new uniforms...
I was slated to join in 74 as well and go into the Seabees when I found out they had new uni's. No dixie cups, no dungarees, so I joined the Army, airborne. I was bound and determined to wear a beanie (beret)! It worked out for the best...
What is a Zumwalt suit?
@@raybin6873 If ya look at a 1950's milk man, and a suit and tie lawyer in the winter, you can put it all together...
@@r.glenncooper8199 Wow! That's crazy! You mean the kind of suit like Johnathin Winters (comedian) wore as the Mr Goodtime Ice cream bar guy? I didn't know the Navy made everyone wear that! Musta been a lot of pissed off sailors LoL!
When we would go indoors we folded up hat up like a banana and stuck it in the back of our pants. This gave it a square shape. This was West Coast, in the 60’s. Thanks, Chief!
Great video. I enlisted in November of 1971 and attended boot camp in the Great Lakes. Even at this early date, the Navy was starting to transition to new uniforms. Fortunately, we were issued the traditional Navy blues and undress whites along with the traditional white hat. I say fortunately because one of the main reasons I joined the Navy was the uniform! However, we were issued two sets of the newly designed working uniforms. A medium blue pullover 3 button jumper and blue straight-leg pants. We were also issued one (or two) sets of the traditional denim work uniforms as well. The truth was the new uniforms sucked and once we got to the fleet we stocked up on the denim.
The new uniforms did kind of suck - they were like Air Force uniforms - but they were a lot more comfortable than the dress blues - except in cold weather maybe. The whites were OK when I was in - beginning of the 80s - being lightweight, permapress polyester. And while I was never a huge fan of the "salt and peppers" we wore a lot, I did like the cover. Maybe it is because my dad was a career Naval officer, and I used to like his hat with the eagle on it, and the hat with the new uniforms was closer to that, though with a smaller, silver eagle and a black strap rather than a gold one.
Me too. 74-79 USS Monticello LSD-35. Never wore anything BUT dungarees. I bought several pairs of the bells bottoms and three pairs of boondockers with steel toes when I got out. Still have a couple pairs of dungarees in the trunk. SOBs shrunk a lot.
Thanks so much for doing this. I was a kiddo in the 50’s and I wore my dad’s hats when outside to keep from being sunburned in the summertime. He was a machinist mate in WWII in the South Pacific and brought his stuff home. We had the white hats and the dyed blue ones that my brother and I wore. Thanks again for putting this together.
Thanks Masterchief. I was one of the first on my ship in the late 70’s to start wearing the Crackerjack uniform. Back than they did not use the silk neckerchief. It was nylon and to short and the ends stuck out like bunny ears, so my Uncle gave me his silk neckerchief. Ahhhh memories
Very cool!
I was in about the same time you were, 77-81. As soon as the crackerjacks were available, I shit-canned the bus driver uniforms and got 2 sets. Blues and Whites. Wore each set only once but I was sure proud of them!
I enlisted in 62 & was issued both the White Hat & the Blue Flat Hat with US NAVY on the band. The flat hat was actually worn as Dress Blue Alfa, the White dixie cup is Dress Blue Bravo & had become the only Dress uniform by that time.
My father served during the Second World War as a navigator in the US Navy on board an LST. He served as an enlisted man for most of the war, but mustered out as a Chief. In the early sixties, he finally opened his wartime duffel bag. Stored literally, in the very bottom of his bag were two dark blue flat brimmed Navy hats. He said he had never worn them except at basic.. He told me that in 1955 or '56, the mother of a newly enlisted sailor wrote to the Secretary of the Navy saying that her son never wore the flat version, even though he had been issued two of them along with his two white hats. She questioned why citizens should be paying extra for those two hats when the sailors never wore them. I suppose the Navy agreed, and the flat blue hats were eliminated from standard issue after that. It's probable that these days, the Secretary would never have seen her letter, and much less be convinced to act on it.
It was a real treat to watch your informative, entertaining and very well researched video. When my Dad opened his wartime duffel in the fifties, my brother and I were carefully instructed by him in the folding process for those white hats. We both can still recall how it is done, although we haven't done it in a while. It brought back him, and those days to our memories when you showed the folded version in your vid. Thank you for posting. Smooth sailing for you in the future.
Navy ranks confuse civilians.
Especially when you tell them that the Captain of a ship may not hold the rank of Captain.
I was a Flyboy but had uncles in the Navy, 1 for 20 years, 1938 to 58.
He served aboard just 2 ships
DD407, he was on the commissioning crew until late 42( German measles ) after getting out of the hospital he was assigned to the USS Augusta where he stayed until 45 when it went in for a major refit.
He was then Stationed back to Pearl Harbor where he remained until 48 I believe, then to Virginia where he remained till retirement.
He told me many stories of combat patrols in the North Atlantic DD 407 and invasions, Operation Torch, to Normandy.
I remember his story of being on duty when news came of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In 45 while on duty at Pearl he saw his old ship DD407 was in.
As early as he could he rushed onboard to see old shipmates.
While visiting over coffee in the galley they were informed that Japan had surrendered and the War was over.
For my uncle WW2 started and ended onboard the same ship.
My other uncle served most of his time on CVs, seeing action during Vietnam, retiring in 78.
My dad was in the men's department of the Navy, USMC as he liked say.
He served from December 8th 41to 47 or 48. Fighting from Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and finally Okinawa.
3 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star x 2 and a Silver Star. He rose to the rank of Gunny.
His uniform hung in his closet next to his Captain's Army uniform from his time in the Texas N.G.
I was raised by WW2 vets. In fact every adult in my childhood had served, even the women.
My mom built the B17s until transferred to major repair/upgrades to the B17s and then B29s.till wars end.
A big Thank You to ALL who served.
A Big Hearty Salute to my Shipmate, your Uncles. Your history is somewhat similar to mine, though my Mother was an early Boomer. My Dad Enlisted in the Army Air Corps, Served in Tokyo with General Whitehead's Far East Air Forces HQ in the Occupational Forces of Japan, my Uncle was a Balo Class Submariner (he ws 6'3"!) USS Seadog, my Stepmom worked at Air Force Plant #4 Consolidated building the empennage section of the B-24 Liberators, the prototype B-36 Peacemakers and the first production run. The neighborhood that I grew up, having been born shortly before the Moon Shot, had no kids my age. So my best friends were Rosie Riveters and World War Two and Korean War Veterans. I would later Serve in the Navy from 2000-2012 as an Airedale (Aircrew), having NEVER stepped foot upon a US Naval Vessel, except for the USS Missouri, during that time.
Thank you Richard C.
Navy ratings and pay grades confuse everyone else in the military except for the Coasties. When I attended Operations Specialist 'A' School our class leader was an undesignated seaman who struck for the Coast Guard rating Radarman. The USCG didn't have a school for RD , and the navy rating RD had been redesignated OS , so there he was .
Pretty interesting story, my dad was also a WWII veteran on board the USS Dent as a UDT, precursor to the SEAL. They would launch off of the USS Dent which was a reconfigured WWI Wickes Class destroyer, it had a method to drop UDT off of the fantail and also receive torpedo boats.
To me a ' Captain ' who isnt a Captain is a ' Skipper ' or his rank or 'the old man. ' in WWII you would have Chiefs with 20 plus years of service refer to LTs who ' hadn't learned to shave ' as ' the old man's because they refused to call them Captain (yes I know that it wasn't common for someone of that lowly rank to end up as a CO but it wasn't rare especially as the navy massively expanded , and some sub chasers , and patrol gunboats and most patrol torpedo boats had J.G.s in comand.
Half way through Australian Army basic training, we were allowed day leave (in uniform) to the local city. Feeling very proud & cocky I rolled my beret up and slipped it under my shoulder epaulette and swaggered down the main street. A voice bellowed out (from god knows where), "Get that effing hat on your head". Being an army town, of course this is where recruit training staff lived. Not looking for further confirmation, the beret immediately was whipped out and placed in the correct manner on my terrified head. Ahh! Good times.
Good show, shipmate! Shellback here, Hotel 61. Last cruise of the USS Ranger. Skipper
drove us right through the middle of a typhoon. Sponson got wrecked and forward ship's store flooded.
Outstanding review, Master Chief, thank you. I learned a LOT and, having retired after a full career 34 years ago, I was surprised with how much I didn’t know.
Ship Mate:
Thank you for this block of instruction, and for bringing back some great memories.😊
Thanks Master Chief. A great, informative video. I was issued the double breasted when I joined in 1974. Some of the more senior ranks blamed CNO Zumwalt for this horrible change. You may remember he also allowed facial hair as well. HM3 Hugh McGinley U. S. Navy ( retired ) also 8404. 1st Med Bn. 1st Mar Div, later 1st FSR, later 1st FSSG. Camp Pendleton, CA
*Retired 24 year Submariner here. We were allowed facial hair long before Admiral Zumwalt!*
Jay Johnson furthered even more atrocities with our uniform.
Outstanding, Master Chief. Such a proud tradition. Bravo Zulu!
As a Marine serving with Naval Air, we worked off and on with the Sailors (this is 1980s). They called the white hat the Dixie Cup; we called it the dog bowl. Primarily by that time though the working hat was the blue "baseball hat" with appropriate station/ship patch on the front.
my dad was a BT from 51-55. i had asked him about the hats ive seen in color(ized) photos that are grayish or blue or black...
he had no idea and never heard of anyone doing that when he was in. THANK YOU for answering a (nearly) life long question!
Was told once by a stern S.P. in San Diego: "Hey Sailor, you're supposed to walk under that hat, not in front of it!"
me too on Rosecranz
the Drunk Sailor in other words, I did Boot in 83, A school in early 84, 6 years as a Radioman RM2, i tried to Convert to AW at my EAOS but during advanced Aircrew Candidate School a student was killed during Rescue Swimmers School and the
pool and class was shut down for months, so i didnt get to graduate Aircrew, which meant i had to leave at my EAOS
i couldnt even re-enlist, so i joined the Army after they let me go. Talk about downgrading
@@cliffords2315, I was an AW3. I went to basic in 1989 at RTC San Diego. Aircrew School at NAS Pensacola. The Rescue Swimmer School was the next step and were separate schools. I did not attend that school and went fixed wing and ASWOC training. First duty station was the ASWOC in Adak Alaska. Then to VS-41 at NAS Coronado. I really miss being in the Navy. The AW rating has since been phased out. I really wish I could have stayed in longer to be part of the P-8 Posiedon aircraft integration.
@@patriotastronomer6780 I was at VRC-30 '88-91.
VS-41 was next hangar over.
On liberty in Yakusuka Japan and the Kitty Hawk, (Air Craft Carrier, old one not the new one) would put more SP's on the beach than our two duty sections hitting the beach. They hated Submariners. They nit picked our uniforms, haircuts, shoe shine, neckerchief tieing. You name it. The saving grace was all those write up got tossed in the trash when they reached the boat. Captain had told the Yeomen to not bother he or the XO with them.
The cap reminds me of when my family and I were stranded on a small island while my 17 year old cousin and her boyfriend went alone for a bit on their own. The boat may have tipped and they died trying to return in it or avoid the circling boat. The coast guard found us many hours later on the island. The young coast guard man gave me the hat on the trip back to shore. I was 7, my youngest memory.
😲😢😢🙏❤️
What a story. Sad... but i bet you have longer version you tell. Might make a good book.
Oh, how awful! At 7, you must have been pretty confused about what was happening. 💐😢
@@diane9247 It certainly made me afraid to swim and a life long hidden grudge with my aunt against my mother. My mother had introduced the two together.
One important feature of the white hat. It was also used as a bailer! My dad was a radioman and gunner aboard a PBY from Squadron VP-53 and said the hat was often used to bail water out of life rafts and similar occasions. He learned this in flight school and actually had to use it after a hard water landing. The PBY was still some distance from shore and the pilot misjudged the waves and landed in a trough of a wave popping hull rivets. In an effort to stop the flooding the crew used their white hats to bail water overboard. In the meantime they used pencils to plug the holes! Here is a small tribute to my dad on my photo blog.....capeannimages.blogspot.com/2016/05/memorial-day-when-life-changes.html
This was great! Thank you, master chief. I was in the US Navy from '83-'89 and that billed cap you showed was still authorized my first year or so in. I never bought one. I wore the cup until I shipped out and then it was ballcaps. I still have one of my white hats. My father served in WW2 in Guadalcanal. He told me that, in his day, they folded the hats to form a square. You had to constantly keep it folded to get the brim to retain that square shape.
I’m an Army veteran myself but I also served as a Merchant Marine for 14 years.
This video was super well done, thank you for taking the time to research and write this script so well.
Mustang here. One of my proudest moments was the morning after work week ended, and we traded in the RTC ball cap with our dungarees for the white hat. At that point, our CC (MMC Lomont) started treating us like Sailors for the first time.
@Randy Bingham another mustang here... sorry dude, we did use these words. Let me guess, you were not in the US Navy.
There was some utility to that hat, in boot camp on swim day they taught us the various ways that you could use you uniform for flotation, that white hat makes a nice big bubble of air that will keep you afloat. Thank you, Master Chief'. Another good one from the Sea Chest.
Just want to thank you for the history. I served in the Navy in the early 90s. I got out and 10 years later joined the National Guard. I had to go back through basic but for the Army. It was a night and day difference. The Navy definitely is more about tradition and pride.
Very interesting and very well done, Master Chief! My father served in the US Navy from 1947-1951 aboard the USS MISSISSIPPI after it was converted from a battleship (BB41) to an experimental auxiliary gunship (AG128), and after listening to him tell sea stories for the first 18 years of my life I was headed for the Navy after I graduated high school. Then in January of my senior year I made a very significant discovery - I get seasick! So I enlisted in the Air Force instead (I was already in the Civil Air Patrol so it was a natural move) and ended up spending 23 years in the service, retiring in 1998 as a Master Sergeant E-7.
I've always thought the Navy had some good looking uniforms, especially the dark blue "Crackerjack" uniform. You took a topic that could be nothing but droll and uninteresting and made it VERY interesting! I'm gonna spend some time watching your other videos, and I'm sure I'm gonna like them! 4-0, Master Chief!
The life of a sailor. If those hats could talk. I spent 24 years under one.
I remember when the Navy was going to give sailors the officer look.
@Jason C bell bottom lol
@@johnbockelie3899 They ended that by the time i graduated Boot camp in 83, i still have those uniforms
they looked more like Naval Academy uniforms than officers though, or like coast gaurd. The Peacoats
from that era were better though, they had the Silver buttons on then. The dress hats were low quality it
was better to buy an officers hat and replace the gold chinstrap with the black and the Navy Crow
but you couldnt fool the inspectors. hey thats Non-Sat its not Issue but they looked allot better
@@cliffords2315 True. I was in 1974-1978. Luckily by 1976, we were able to chuck the fake officer's hats and suit coat dress uniforms for dress whites/dress blues and a Dixie cup. Not easy to keep them clean.
@@christopherrasmussen8718 Bell bottomed trousers, coats of Navy blue, let him climb the rigging like his father used to do.....
Got my first white hat Summer of 67 in RTC San Diego. I retired as an LT but still have a couple around. Thanks.
my dad was in the navey for 30 years it was just great just watching the video. thank you
My pops was a Master Chief Master Diver. Vietnam Vet. Harbor Unit Clearance 1. RIP Tommy Ray Berry.
awesome job RIP MC
A crisp Salute to your Pops. He had balls of steel to do that job.
Good man ! God bless him 🇺🇸⚓
RIP. Master Chief.
What years was he on HCU 1? That was my first command out of boot camp. Alpha docks Pearl Harbor.
@@BarryStacy Not sure if he was with the unit after Nam. He got there 2 weeks before TET in 68 and came back in 69. Was one of the Divers who tapped into the peace talks over there. From there San diego changing screws on subs then to Pearl in 71 or 2 on asr-8 USS Coucal.
I never thought that I'd be fascinated by Navy hats... haha
I love history, but hats? Started the video skeptical, but ended with interest!
Take a look at the History Guy's channel. He talks about a lot of history and has a few videos about historical hats which are most interesting.
I too, have been fascinated by Navy hats, especially the flat hat. We were issued flat hats at Great Lakes in early 1960, but never wore as uniform of the day. I did wear mine when home on leave during cold weather. Before mustering out in 1964, I bought a small suitcase of them from small stores to take home and give out to the neighborhood kids.I have one left in a dresser drawer. It brings back fond memories.
I never thought I'd be humored by navy talk but shark bait an all
shark bait
ever notice that ppl that come from land locked areas want to be in the Navy? folks from seaside usually end up as Infantry.
My great-grandfather, father, son, and daughter all navy. Husband marine. Fascinating. I remember looking at my dad's seabag when I was a kid.
1982 to 1990, I wore my white hat similar to the Ceremonial Guard, only I didn't know that until now! Thanks for the history.
Loved the mention of the Ceremonial Guard. I served in the Guard for my first assignment. We spent about as much time working on the details of our uniforms as we did performing for the public, the President, and our more somber duty of funerals. It was a great start to a long career that saw me wearing that suit, to begin with, then to cracker jacks, khaki, and later the addition of an officer's crest.
See my video on the Navy Ceremonial Guard!
When I was in Boot Camp (SD 1993) our CC was a GM1 who had been on a Battleship. We all wore our white hats with what he called The Battleship Roll. The brim was rolled over. I always wore my white hat like that until I got out.
I was a boot in 1972 and we called it a "Steve McQueen Roll". It was a nod to the Steve McQueen movie "The Sand Pebbles".
As a retired CPO, I can say honestly I hated the "Dixie Cup" especially when it rained. The damn thing would shrink on your head.I do admire the British Navy's enlisted hats. I loved my flat hat.
August 1959, 17 yrs old, I joined the US Navy and entered Boot Camp at Great Lakes Ill. where I was issued my first uniforms. Included in that issue was the "Flat Cap" with the blue ribbon printed with "US NAVY" along with 3 Dixie Cups and a set of Dress Whites with piping and stars on flap and wrists.
In boot camp we were required to hand wash our uniforms (except the woolen winter uniforms) and then "Tie" the wet clothing to outside clothes lines using the "stops" (12" ropes) that were also part of my first uniforms issues.
We "Ironed" our patch pocket jeans and whites with the round metal cans that WISK laundry detergent came in by filling the empty cans with hot water and rolling them over our clothes.
Some other things we were issued back then were 100% wool bathing suits that fit like jockey underwear instead of the "trunks".
The "PEA" coats were 100% wool and extremely heavy .. I would guess those Pea coats weighed about 15 pounds. Our winter Dress Blues were 13 button fronts with a tie string in back to make the pants fit securely.
In the mid 1960's the navy came out with a white "Shirt" to replace the pull-over jumper for those who wanted them.. I liked the shirt for it's cooler and comfortable wear during hot weather.
I served until January 1967 and was honorably discharged with the rank/rating of E-5 Machines Mate 2cd class.
We called the White Hat the "Dixie Cup".
I always knew it a "gob cap". Not sure of the origin of.that name.
Marines would steal a Sailor's white hat and feed their mascot food in it since it looked like a dog dish. Checkout the old Charlie Brown cartoons and you'll Snoopy using his white hat like a dog dish also.
"Dixie cup" coming from the shape it had while folded.
I did! We all did including our Commissioned and Warrant Officers!
@@JohnFourtyTwo Never noticed. Funny. Snoopy was a Sopwith Camel Kaiser Hunting Allied pilot. Snoopy is a combat Veteran and war hero. 20, 30, 40 or more. Snoopy fired his guns to even the score. The "bloody Red Barron."
As an old soldier, I really enjoyed that. Thanks Chief.
Love the WW2 white cap. My dad was a Chief Petty Officer during WW2, fighting with the CB's stationed in the islands fighting the Japenese.
Back in the late '60's or so, a friend of mine who enlisted in the navy, showed me his white hat. He showed how practical it was, pulling the brim down to protect against the sun, another feature, if one should have to tread water or float for a while, the hat could be used to hold a bubble of air to keep one from sinking, I thought that was clever. I think there may have been other things he showed me but I can't remember.
The flotation device was the winner. Jim
Cool ❤️
I was at the NTC in San Diego in 1990 for basic training. At that time we were trained to use the white hat as a flotation device...
You could use it as a bailer too if the need presented itself. Hard to believe but it would hold water for a short time.
Fascinating and well done. My father was a Chief Petty Officer, was in Pearl Harbor, physically survived that horror. We grew up watching Navy Log and other such productions. Interesting to watch this. Thank you.
Great vid🙏🙏🙏🙏
Man…. I live in the South Pacific…, your story brings some much humanity of those who serves the US & your Allies in the fight for this huge ocean/ region….., we all still live in their shadow 🌹🙏🇺🇸
In boot camp (San Diego, 1962-63) I was issued a Donald Duck flat hat, complete with ribbon bearing the emblem "U.S. Navy" and carried it in my seabag during my entire hitch ('62-66), including our time as part of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club. The cover was much too small for me, but when it was issued we were told that it was not part of our official seabag and was being issued for the purpose of depleting the inventory. Donated it and most of my other military memorabilia decades later to the Sons of Liberty Museum which preserves such things (even crumbling paperwork such as my WW2 ration book). Great outfit.
I was issued a flat hat as an initial issue in 1963. I still have it with my dress blue jumper, zipper front pants, NOT 13 buttons, and "greasy snake" neckerchief, (thanks to the 7-Seas Locker Club in San Diego). Wish I still had a 1963 white hat. Alas, no longer. Thanks for the video. Jon
I arrived at recruit training San Diego in July of 1962. Company 62-394. We were issued flat hats as part of the dress blue uniform which also included the 13 button trousers. We were told that the flat hats were being issued until the supplies were exhausted but were no longer being required to be worn. I no longer have mine.
I remember when they got rid of the 'Cracker Jack' uniform, my old man (who was already retired by then) had a cow. He blamed the whole thing on Admiral Zumwalt. No idea how much Zumwalt actually had to do with the decision, I just know that after that 'Zumwalt' was a swear word in our house. lol
I wasn't happy either. I though it was a dumb move. No place on small ships for that sort of thing. I am and was very proud of my Cracker Jacks. Stand all the services up together and who does the public recognize? The Sailor. At glance the rest look alike. The only one standing out. No fancy buttons to polish or creases to keep straight. Just blues and white hat!
The U.S. Navy may look like clowns when invited to ceremonies or parades, yet they are respected by other navies as being a real blue deep water navy. The seafarers uniform was utilitarian and functional during WW2. The bell bottoms an example.
Zumwalt was bad news all around. He was one of several reasons I took a discharge instead of becoming a 20 year man.
@@albertrobbins6482 In 1970 I was temped to re-enlist but decided not to. After Zumwalt I was sure that wasn't going to be in the cards. When 1984 came around I would have had my 20 but by then the Navy was getting too screwed over by armchair admirals all wanting to make their mark I knew it wasn't fixable. Navy need to get back to basics.
@@webbtrekker534 Understood.
Thanks for your videos. I served in VP 10 from 1970 through 1973. The only time we ever wore dress uniforms was for travel, inspections and formal ceremonies. Most other times we always wore squadron ball caps and dungarees. Never cared much for the white hat or dress uniform although I do appreciate the tradition.
Whilst serving in the RAF in Singapore 1967-9, USS Enterprise & her escorts paid a visit. Some of us showed some of the sailors around, & helped save them from being ripped off by locals. A friend & myself were able to go aboard the giant Carrier & had a conducted tour. We swapped items of uniform with some of the sailors, & I had a white, cap as described here. I kept it for years, & by turning the brim down, it made a serviceable sun hat. Eventually, it became more hole than hat, & was disposed of. I still miss it!
I didn't think I'd like this at all, but I did, especially with the photos to show us exactly what you were talking about. Bravo. Well done. Sharing!