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Dinner dress for an 0-1?

brothe01

New Member
pilot
I know the occasions for dinner dress are few and far between, but I'm thinking about picking up a set. I know it's optional below 0-4 and I've read a lot of the posts that seem pretty split, so how does an 0-1 in DDB/W's look? Like an idiot, or no one cares?
 

scoober78

(HCDAW)
pilot
Contributor
The fact that you are worried about this indicates that you will look like a tool.:D

Do you want it? Be a man and buy it!
 

HH-60H

Manager
pilot
Contributor
I know the occasions for dinner dress are few and far between, but I'm thinking about picking up a set. I know it's optional below 0-4 and I've read a lot of the posts that seem pretty split, so how does an 0-1 in DDB/W's look? Like an idiot, or no one cares?
Overall, I am not against getting them as JO, if you're in the squadron and you want to get them, great. However, your chances to wear them in flight school are rarer than rare. Your ENS salary is small enough, I wouldn't spend the money right now if I were you.
 

a_m

Still learning how much I don't know.
None
Your chance of needing them is extremely rare in flight school. Not only that, but if you get them now, you'll only need to get them adjusted later when you gain some weight. That being said, I have them, but only because I needed them in school.
 

usmarinemike

Solidly part of the 42%.
pilot
Contributor
Your chance of needing them is extremely rare in flight school. Not only that, but if you get them now, you'll only need to get them adjusted later when you gain some weight.

That's what I was thinking. If you don't think you'll gain even ten pounds then do it if you have the cash.

Make sure your tailor understands...IN ENGRISH...to leave some damn fabric for the uniform to be taken out. Be careful, they're very set in their ways.

Don't use credit. That's stupid because you don't need them.

There's a 70% chance that at the next occasion that you can use them, you'll where SDBs (or whatever it is the Navy wears to party in) because you don't want to be "That Guy."

I've never seen a Marine Lt in Mess Dress.
 

mmx1

Woof!
pilot
Contributor
That's what I was thinking. If you don't think you'll gain even ten pounds then do it if you have the cash.

Make sure your tailor understands...IN ENGRISH...to leave some damn fabric for the uniform to be taken out. Be careful, they're very set in their ways.

Don't use credit. That's stupid because you don't need them.

There's a 70% chance that at the next occasion that you can use them, you'll where SDBs (or whatever it is the Navy wears to party in) because you don't want to be "That Guy."

I've never seen a Marine Lt in Mess Dress.

There was one at one TBS company's Mess Night (Alpha 07?). Claimed his wife wanted him to buy it. Once word got out, he was required to wear it to Mess Night. Yeah, he was "that guy". I think he had the boatcloak too but don't quote me on that.
 

usmarinemike

Solidly part of the 42%.
pilot
Contributor
There was one at one TBS company's Mess Night (Alpha 07?). Claimed his wife wanted him to buy it. Once word got out, he was required to wear it to Mess Night. Yeah, he was "that guy". I think he had the boatcloak too but don't quote me on that.

Boat Cloak? That is truly "that guy"ish. I've only ever seen it on the Uniform Plate V. Don't even know where to get one.
 

Bevo16

Registered User
pilot
Spend the money on beer.

I have worn my SDB jacket 3 times since I put on wings. It has been almost 3 years since the last time. It's enough of a PITA to keep the proper stripes on the SDB jacked (not to mention expensive), that I don't know why you would want to double the pain by buying a jacket that you don't. There is nothing cool about it. It just makes you stick out at formal events.
 

Flash

SEVAL/ECMO
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
There's a 70% chance that at the next occasion that you can use them, you'll where SDBs (or whatever it is the Navy wears to party in) because you don't want to be "That Guy."

I've never seen a Marine Lt in Mess Dress.

It is a little bit different in the Navy, a lot of LT's in the Navy do throw down for mess dress but very few O-2's and below do so. I have never seen anyone below Major wearing a mess dress in the Marines.

I would wait until you are in a fleet squadron, and wait until you are in for a littel while and have a reason.
 

TheBubba

I Can Has Leadership!
None
I too have mess dress... both blue & white.. like Matt, I needed'em in school. Since I commissioned, I have worn them once: NASP-cola Navy Ball. I've worn SDBs all of 4 times since May 05 and whites slightly more. Chokers twice since I graduated.. day after for two weddings and a year after for my own.
 

nittany03

Recovering NFO. Herder of Programmers.
pilot
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Get 'em when you need 'em. That said, when you need 'em, get 'em! What is the point of wearing a uniform when you have the JOs wearing one thing and the hinges and up wearing something completely different anyway? Give me all the flack you want, call me a hinge-in-training, but nothing looks dumber than showing up to a formal event in Service Dress Bozo with mini medals and a bow tie. That ridiculous uniform makes everyone who wears it look like a 12-year-old kid wearing Dad's blazer.

Want a guaranteed recipe for disposing of mass quantities of grog? Schedule a dining-out with the uniform as Dinner Dress White (Jacket) with the usual exception of Dinner Dress White being optional for O-3 and below. I bet you'll be able to fine a significant portion of the mess for being out of uniform. People read it as "Chokers optional" and wear Full Dress White instead, because they can't wrap their minds around something as monumentally stupid looking as chokers with mini-medals actually being authorized. A uniform is a uniform and should be, thus, uniform.

Rant over. I've seen all ranks wearing mess dress, so chances are you're not the only guy out there with them on as a JO. You're just highlighting your superior style, insouciance, and élan . . . which last I checked were mandatory in Naval Aviation anyway! :D
 

MasterBates

Well-Known Member
Get AWGs first, then DDW/B if you have the coin..

But maybe I am biased.

<--Has AWGs, but has not needed anything other than SDB/Chokers in 4 years. Last time I wore "Bozo Chokers" was in 2003.
 
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