We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:27:50 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:21:16 -0600
Most assuredly, "Pinks and Greens" have been the best uniform that the US Army has fielded in the last 100 years.  I can still remember seeing my dad's unused ones in the closet for years after the AF switched to blues.

Are the SMA and CSA (and their uniform "advisors") partaking of recreational phamaceuticals?  This is just nookin futs.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77333 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77333 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:05:00 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77288 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77288 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:53:58 -0600 All silliness aside, the War between the States has been over for a very long time, so I think it's OK for our soldiers to wear less-than-dress uniforms in traditional blue shades. Please, though, let them not be silly-looking! The first reaction of foreigners, or Congressmen, or even ordinary Americans should not be giggling upon seeing our soldiers all dressed up. It really is serious. The more serious you look, the more seriously you will be taken. Every little bit helps. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77283 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77283 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:43:28 -0600 USN Officers's Summer Dress Whites. (AKA Sword and Choker) Ain't that one of the coolest and manliest uniforms ever devised by men, for men? Has it not stayed pretty much the same for a hundred years? Does it not, to this day, cause moistness in the panties of women who are capable of appreciating the kind of guys who are allowed to wear such? Maggie? If it ain't broke, don't fix it! A military dress uniform should invoke the thought in a male person, "Gee, I wanna imitate that guy!" In a female person, it should inspire the thought, "Gee, I wanna bear that guy's heirs http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77282 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77282 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:17:38 -0600 http://myarmylifeandtimes.blogspot.com/2006/03/my-first-drill-as-first-sgt.html]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77278 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77278 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:37:44 -0600 http://howardlanham.tripod.com/unireg.htm lets you look at all of the color drawings.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77275 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77275 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:13:15 -0600 Red plume, huh? Dang, I still have the red plume, still in cardboard tube, from my high school band shako. Forgot to turn it in, and they changed the uniforms to something silly and non-military the next year, anyway. One had to keep stuff in the shako; there were no pockets in the very tall trousers and very short coatee. (with crossbelts!) If it's going to be silly, I want militarily traditionally kewl-lookin' silly, not stupid modern butt-ugly silly. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77274 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77274 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:52:42 -0600
Wow. Who'd a-thunk it....
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77261 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77261 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:50:38 -0600 www.strathconas.ca/images/smt/15sept04/EN2004-057-48D.jpg

Cheers]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77257 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77257 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:09:02 -0600

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77256 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77256 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:45:45 -0600 ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77254 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77254 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:31:57 -0600
   Wouldn't this be a better choice for the Artillery?

http://howardlanham.tripod.com/linkgr5/link200d.jpg

    Talk about a sharp-dressed cannon cocker  :)

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77251 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77251 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:10:16 -0600 Closest I could get to that was visualizing a seated Kodiak bear from the rear...

...with a 35 gallon garbage can on his head.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77248 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77248 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:19:12 -0600 I'm trying to imagine an Armorer-sized shako.

Closest I could get to that was visualizing a seated Kodiak bear from the rear...

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77247 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77247 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:08:51 -0600 The Texas A&M bands actually still wear pinks and greens, exactly. Speaking of band nerdery and silly hats, why not go all the way and have shakos? You can keep a little flask, paperback book, etc. up in there. I'm trying to imagine an Armorer-sized shako. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77246 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77246 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:31:22 -0600
I've got one of the original "How To Wear the Beret" pamphlets. The pix illustrating the proper wear were gooned-up 'way back *then*, too...


]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77243 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77243 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:04:57 -0600
Your beret question is a good one.  There are two badges on his right pocket (left to us).  He's got the Drill Sergeant and Recruiter badge on, I can't ID the third one.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77242 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77242 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:17:57 -0600
Couldn't they find a SSgt somewhere that looked as if he had maxed the AFT?

Couldn't the Marines find a real person wearing their uni?
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77241 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77241 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:05:34 -0600    The items in question are actually on his shirt pockets below the flaps. That is where the Apple (Drill Sergeant Badge), Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC), and aide badges go.
   I have JOTC and Drill Sergeant Badges, so AR 670-1 might agree with me.  ;)

Alan
(Former SGT Briley, 82nd Airborne Division and 80th Infantry Division)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77238 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77238 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:57:11 -0600 Why does the Mall Ninja have patches on his belly? ( A fine grand belly is is though, worthy of decoration) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77237 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77237 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:35:30 -0600
But enter a prolonged period of peace...  no, you're right.  As I said in one of my comments - it will stay that way because so many of us will be embarrassed to be seen in that rig.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77225 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77225 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:06:21 -0600 Keep in mind that under normal circumstances, most people will be wearing their ACU's to work, not their Blues. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77224 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77224 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:41 -0600
Kinda how Standard Operating Procedures became Standing Operating Procedures.

For about two months in the mid-nineties, the Army insisted that FARs -- Federal Aviation Regulations -- stood for Flying Aircraft Regulations (because that's how they were listed in several TM changes), until Foat Useless was inundated with memos explaining why everybody else in the Armed Forces considered them illiterate nincompoops.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77223 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77223 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:42:01 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77222 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77222 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:27:57 -0600
 Snerk.

I agree, actually, on the beret.  Many heads were not meant to wear a beret.  I look pretty good in one, but punkinhaids are among those that do. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77221 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77221 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:21:51 -0600
Am I the only one who's not keen on the beret?  I really like the old-style hat (I don't know what you call it, the one on the right).  Always have, always will.  Neither of the uniforms looks comfortable, and that's always my number one priority.

Not that I've had much experience with uniforms, except for high school marching band, but I sure hated them then.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77220 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77220 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:58:46 -0600   FWIW,

  If you want a REALLY nice set of blues for a Class-B uniform, I would suggest this one:

http://www.quartermastershop.com/images/6%20US%20Infy-%20Span-Am%20Mike%20Lewis.jpg

   Pretty nice looking, comfortable, and functional. I've worn it, and I like it a lot.

  

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77217 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77217 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:21:48 -0600   My son graduates from basic today. he was issued his new "Class B" uniform(s), and told that he was expected to wear them on his 36 hour pass if he leaves the base.  He called and asked me if I could FedEx him a couple polo shirts and a pair of slacks.  I told him that for the cost, he could just buy some at the PX.  He and the rest of his company absolutely LOATH the new Class B's, and when they were first given them, thought it was a joke.  They are pretty damned pissed about this situation, and are definately NOT happy campers.

   I can't say that I blame them. I'd be embarrassed as all get out if that was my uniform.  They look as bad as those Presidential Guard uniforms that Nixon tried to get issued.  Seriously. They look like they belong on a Job Corps drill team.


]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77216 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77216 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:07:18 -0600 silly guady as well.

The only decent Class B uniform the Army ever had was the Khakis. I'd love to see them make a comeback.

I was lucky as a recruiter that I got quite a few opportunities to wear Blues. Many times when Class A would have been appropriate, I switched to Blues. The chain of command didn't complain.

And yeah, I liked to wear mess-kit as well. Not a heck of a lot of junior NCOs had it, but I bought a set used from a guy getting out. The most expensive part was getting the mini-medals mounted.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77215 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77215 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:05:47 -0600 Gen. Peter Schoomaker, then Army chief of staff, said he wanted to streamline the number of uniforms soldiers purchase and maintain throughout their career.

So he picks the more expensive (and bigger PITA) one of the two? Brilliant.


Oh, and the velcro on the ACUs? Biggest pain in the @$$ ever. Not only for the reasons BillT listed above but also for the fact that, before the stuff does up and die, it anihilates everything it's ever washed with or comes into contact with.

Now I'm not a fan of the greens either and I happen to think that MacGyver looks mighty fine in his blues. But wearing that monkey suit on a regular basis (thank God he won't have to! Yet another reason to be thankful for aviation) is like wearing a tuxedo to work at Dairy Queen. Which is exactly where goofy boy on the left appears to work.

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77213 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77213 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:01:36 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77212 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77212 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:53:43 -0600
No one really likes the greens. 

To my taste, the blues are just the greens in a different color and material - with spiffy (if somewhat impractical for daily wear) shoulder boards, colored cuff rings, and the stripe down the trouser leg - now for everyone, not just officers.  Put a belt on 'em...

I'd still rather wear the greens than blues, because well, frankly, I think it's too gaudy for a day to day uniform, and our intrepid NCO in the picture looks like the very model of a modern major general - and that's not a compliment.

I always preferred the Mess Dress if I was going to go dressy - and in fact wore those more often than blues, because we rarely do anything formal before 5PM in the service these days anyway.  I probably wore my blues three times on active duty, and my mess dress on average twice a year.

I don't mind contracting the uniform count.

I just think this choice makes us look silly.

There aren't that many jobs any more where people routinely wear Class Bs - at least not where I served.

But I'd be embarrassed to be seen in public in this uniform.  Which means I would only wear it when I absolutely couldn't avoid it.

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77211 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77211 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:23:15 -0600 I guess I'll be the contrarian around here. I absolutely hated the Army Green Uniform. I'd wear my Blues at the slightest pretext. I'm not thrilled with the Army Blue as a Class B, but it looks better than the puke green shirt now. The full up Class A Blues? Love 'em.

I'd love to see Khakis or Pinks and Greens come back. But it ain't gonna happen. The idea is to reduce the total number of uniforms.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77209 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77209 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:35:21 -0600 ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77208 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77208 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:29:47 -0600
*snerk*

Bwuahawhawhaw....

So much for morale....
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77207 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77207 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:21:11 -0600
Yeah, still another example of not asking the guys who actually *used* velcro closures on their combat wear -- us aviators.

After twenty or so wash and dry cycles, the threads holding the hook 'n' pile fray apart due to uneven shrink rates between the velcro and the fabric. Which is convenient, because by that time, the hooks no longer adhere to the pile and both chunks have to be replaced.

Don't even ask how *loud* the rrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiipppppp is when you're trying to be quiet and a branch grabs it...
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77206 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77206 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:12:31 -0600
As I am at work (and a former Marine) I am restraining my laughter (on the inside I'm LMAO).
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77205 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77205 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:10:24 -0600
By the way, when you blouse your boots, make sure your pants legs are even and you are not you are not out of shape. I am 46 years old, an ER nurse, and I look to be in better shape than that Army "model."

White shirts and rifles? Can anyone say breakfree, grease, and right shoulder arms?]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77204 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77204 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:09:43 -0600
Guys, we got out just in time.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77203 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77203 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:00:32 -0600
(just plain aaarrgghhhh!!!)

(throw in more exclamation points)
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77201 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77201 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:42:18 -0600
At least the Army is trying to retain some distinctions...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77200 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77200 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:31:07 -0600 ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77199 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77199 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:12:07 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77198 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/08/whats_in_a_suit.html#comment-77198 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:11:55 -0600