Is that 2 different sons?..are they twins..?
Is that 2 different sons?..are they twins..?
They do look much alike but no, not twins. 21 months apart so close in age. I can't believe the elder will be 50 in Feb.
Thank you for your service, you had the right idea to enlist before they made the decision for you.Happy Birthday, Navy!!
Enlisted during Vietnam, right before high school graduation in 1968. Knew the Draft would be after me and got my Notice while at Basic Training in Great Lakes, IL. Spent 99% of my Navy career onboard Destroyers in both San Diego and Long Beach, California.
I can honestly say that I have never seen this particular uniform before. I notice that they are all wearing the National Defense metal (red and yellow), but I have no idea what the second metal is. Maybe I have been out too long. It is a good picture and I can see that the mix includes some who are designated surface or subsurface, some who are headed to aviation assignments, some who are headed for engineering duties, and at least one woman. I cannot tell if this is an individual graduating Company, or an Honor Guard of some sort.Happy Birthday US Navy and blessings to all who served.
Enlisted Full Dress Whites worn at a Change of Command Ceremony in 2009. This is the older-style version that is due to be replaced in 2021; it lacks the blue piping and starsI can honestly say that I have never seen this particular uniform before. I notice that they are all wearing the National Defense metal (red and yellow), but I have no idea what the second metal is. Maybe I have been out too long. It is a good picture and I can see that the mix includes some who are designated surface or subsurface, some who are headed to aviation assignments, some who are headed for engineering duties, and at least one woman. I cannot tell if this is an individual graduating Company, or an Honor Guard of some sort.
One big difference between a graduating company and newcomers is the level of physical fitness. This group of sailors is sharp.
I will sure agree with you about that white hat. It did not offer much protection from the sun, it wasn't warm, it made a fine "rain catcher" and let the rainwater dribble down your face, they liked to say that it could function as a makeshift life preserver but I doubt that. The only thing it did do pretty well was help keep your head from getting bashed when you were careless going through a hatch.Happy Birthday , US Navy. From 1968-1972, that was me. Never step foot on a ship. Lots of memories.
One thing, though-I hated wearing that white cap. I don't like anything on my head.
Thank you Pappy will do.Thank them for their service from me...
I had a boyfriend in the Navy back in the 50s and he looked adorable with that hat squared off as they did back then.I will sure agree with you about that white hat. It did not offer much protection from the sun, it wasn't warm, it made a fine "rain catcher" and let the rainwater dribble down your face, they liked to say that it could function as a makeshift life preserver but I doubt that. The only thing it did do pretty well was help keep your head from getting bashed when you were careless going through a hatch.
Now that combination hat that chiefs and officers wore had its own set of issues. It would not stay on in the wind, I bashed my head more than once going through a hatch, and it was awkward to mess with. I wasn't very fond of it either.
The Navy simply did not have good headgear.