Just for shits and grins, I spent some time today re-reading this entire thread...just to see if we were still on-track with the original discussion. BLUF: You/we are.
But, MAN...this thread is like an undergraduate degree in Naval Aviation history. Aviation Working Greens, Service Dress Khakis, who dropped the Thanh Hoa bridge, etc. I really enjoyed it. Thanks to all.
Me? Always a "uniform geek". As a Naval Aviation Officer Candidate checking in to VT-10 in about September or October of 1971, our (NFO) CO told us (check-in brief) that we were now qualified to wear AWGs. Faster than a newly-promoted USMC Corporal heading to the BX to get his "blood stripes" sewn on, I headed to Abbot's and put a set on my tab. Wore them for the next 30 years, although I admit to not getting the blouse re-striped for CAPT, since it seemed to have shrunk in the closet. But the leather jacket option rocked anyway. Frankly, always thought khaki socks looked goofy with green trousers, but I digress... Loved SDKs as well...beauty of those bad boys was that you could wear them on libs. Wore those regularly until they went away, I guess about the time we lost our brown shoes in the mid-70s. I'm happy to see them back, if only as, I gather, an "optional" uniform. Disagree that they're "just for SWOs". Chicks dig 'em, which is clearly not a SWO impetus to do anything.
I think most Navy squadrons, at least the ones I observed, were far more "standardized" (within the unit) than we're given credit for. Different colored undershirts/FD jerseys/golf shirts of course, but all patches and name tags pretty well controlled...by desire. Even the local FRS classes chose to "standardize"...and looked good, even if the neon-colored class choices then in vogue probably wouldn't pass muster today.
If I may be permitted a "second bottom line"...I think NAVAV Leadership is trying to do the right thing, even if the current solution has some warts on it. Your continued thoughtful feedback is key to helping them get it right, be it color of bags, placement of patches, undershirt colors, etc. None of that is "unimportant" (look at the exception made for NSAWC...), but compliance in the near-term while making a rational case for future unit flexibility is probably the key. I think even the Admirals think they have more important stuff to focus on...but give some of them credit for carrying the water on this issue as far as they have. They didn't have to, after all, but did so because they agree with you. Because ALL of them WERE you. Thanks.