Initial Flight Gear Issue

[MIDNJAC]

Don't be ridiculous OP. If you were issued it, wear it if you want. My post was a collection of "I don't want to wear it" thoughts......not at all speaking to some imaginary rule. If some rando LT instructor of yours wants to blow hard about that, have them call me. I will politely tell them how ridiculous they are being, and how they were the first ever generation to get issued brown boots out the API door (we weren't), and I know they did that s*it themselves. Listen to them, they are there to teach you, but this "saving yourself for christ" moment is ridiculous.

 

[Brett327]

I also have never worn my G-1, or whatever garbage knockoff API decided to issue me back in the day. I also haven't worn the govt issue sunglasses one time in my life. I'd trade all of those items, that have literally lived out a decade+ crushed into the bottom of some seabag or random PCS box, for an old style O2 mask. Someone should be rotting in prison serving 25 to life for the new style mask existing......or the integrated harness (which I luckily have not yet been required to succumb to). My career has been exemplified by having an excess of things that are useless to me (and by that, I mean you need something, and half the parts to make it are abundant, but there is one part that is unavailable, thus the entire thing is unobtainable), and having to call upon an act of God to acquire the things that are needed to do my job. I guess that is probably just basic supply/demand, aggravated by basic b*tch government civilians being unwilling to do their jobs, but it is what it is. There is probably someone close to the acquisitions or supply worlds that would gladly explain away some logical reason for all of this. In the end, I just know that we don't get what we need, ever or at all.

Your PRs can open purchase the old school masks. I still use them.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Your PRs can open purchase the old school masks. I still use them.

I actually have one set aside......it's the trombone fittings that are the lim fac. Not their fault at all, and I appreciate their hard work for sure.

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

In two years aboard three different training bases I have never seen a student wearing the G-1 until they are winged. Take it for what it’s worth but I agree with @Duc'-guy25 in that wearing one as a student would make you stand out in the wrong kind of way.

 

[Brett327]

I actually have one set aside......it's the trombone fittings that are the lim fac. Not their fault at all, and I appreciate their hard work for sure.

 

[scoolbubba]

I also have never worn my G-1, or whatever garbage knockoff API decided to issue me back in the day. I also haven't worn the govt issue sunglasses one time in my life. I'd trade all of those items, that have literally lived out a decade+ crushed into the bottom of some seabag or random PCS box, for an old style O2 mask. Someone should be rotting in prison serving 25 to life for the new style mask existing......or the integrated harness (which I luckily have not yet been required to succumb to). My career has been exemplified by having an excess of things that are useless to me (and by that, I mean you need something, and half the parts to make it are abundant, but there is one part that is unavailable, thus the entire thing is unobtainable), and having to call upon an act of God to acquire the things that are needed to do my job. I guess that is probably just basic supply/demand, aggravated by basic b*tch government civilians being unwilling to do their jobs, but it is what it is. There is probably someone close to the acquisitions or supply worlds that would gladly explain away some logical reason for all of this. In the end, I just know that we don't get what we need, ever or at all.

I asked for and snagged a bunch of the old masks when I went through NSTI again. They had boxes of them. The PRs told me that, while authorized, there are no parts to fix the old masks.

I now have a parts locker that should last me another 9 years.

 

[ChuckMK23]

I've gotten that impression as well, I've even heard it compared to being the last hold out of earning your brown shoes, boots etc.

Then again if I were willing to rock the boat a bit I might be tempted to pull the whole "what does the instruction say" similar to when someone asks a question that can easily be answered by reading for a few minutes.

I respect tradition, but it seems odd to 1) issue the jacket and 2) be authorized to wear it then be told not to by what isn't a consensus of winged aviators or the competent authority.

I distinctly remember SNA’s wearing G-1’s at the HT’s and no one cared, same for brown shoes on the rare occasion an SNA was ever in Kahkis-

 

[ChuckMK23]

In two years aboard three different training bases I have never seen a student wearing the G-1 until they are winged. Take it for what it’s worth but I agree with @Duc'-guy25 in that wearing one as a student would make you stand out in the wrong kind of way.

Bullshit flag.

 

[mad dog]

...Nothing will identify you more quickly to others as a complete tool than wearing your issued sunglasses...

Dude, you ain’t kidding! So...when I was a rookie cop with the Cincinnati Police Department while I was on furlough at Delta, I routinely wore my AOCS issued sunglasses on patrol...DOH! I received so much shit from veteran officers I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry...

Veteran officers: “Hey, rook...you need to get rid of those dorky fucking sunglasses and get some black Oakley wrap arounds...and get some cool tats...as well as a cocky-cop-buzz-cut...AND get some sweaty neck rolls!”

mad dog [the rookie]: “WTFO?”

 

[nittany03]

In two years aboard three different training bases I have never seen a student wearing the G-1 until they are winged. Take it for what it’s worth but I agree with @Duc'-guy25 in that wearing one as a student would make you stand out in the wrong kind of way.

This is a litmus test as to whether a given instructor is a fucking dick or not. I mean, my SNA/SNFO days are well in the rearview mirror (by an increasingly disturbingly long distance ?). But with that seniority, or at least old-dude-ness, comes some perspective about what actually matters. As an SNA/SNFO, by regulation, you rate all the accouterments of Naval Aviation except one . . . the gold wings you haven't (yet) earned. Unless you attrite, this is true from now until you soft wing. So wear the damn G-1 if you want. For damn sure, wear brown shoes if you're in the penalty suit.

If an instructor is giving you shit about something that petty, they're probably one of two types. First, the ones who nobody liked in their fleet squadron. These people will use you as a punching bag to fill the hole in their self-respect that comes from none of their peers respecting them. They probably barely made the VTs anyway. Second, the "kiss-up/kick down" types. These guys have varying levels of aviation skill, and some may be quite good. But the Navy screwed up keeping them on board, because they also may be psychopaths. They can't treat everyone with dignity, except maybe the future rock stars. Any instructor who's worth a shit, from flight school to the fleet, has a measure of humility. And they can treat people with professionalism and respect, even if they're the kid one FPC or warmup away from attrition or a FNAEB.

Because whether you're the ace of the base (which in flight school or the RAG just means the tallest midget anyway), or an attrite, your aviation skill doesn't have any bearing on whether or not you should be treated professionally. In my career, there have been times I've found myself on the very top of the heap, the very bottom of the heap, and somewhere in between. And it really opened my eyes as to how petty people can be who forget what it's like to be the kid bucking for a spot in the fraternity. It's amazing how many humble dudes as students can't handle a couple of EP fitters without turning into condescending assholes. Even for people who can't make it, the process for getting rid of them doesn't require disrespecting or humiliating them. I'll reserve a right for mercilessly mocking obvious douchebags; it's Naval Aviation tradition to put them in their place. But most people aren't that. At least not all the time.

I'm just a washed-up SELRES hinge, but that's given me a chance to observe people leading people on the mil and civ sides of the house for going on 16 years. And anyone who'd harass an SNA/SNFO for wearing a G-1 is a fucking dick who just likes to kick people around so they can feel powerful for a little bit.

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

I agree, although I should say that I think 99% of the people that would give you crap about it would do it in a joking manner and would only do it because of the perception that you don't wear it until you wing, and not from needing to shit on someone else.

I think it's interesting that somewhere along the line what was considered the norm did a complete 180; not sure when it was but it was long before my time clearly. Nonetheless, I think that unless you got a large group of SNAs to band together and do it, most would be happy to be known in the VT ready rooms for their attitude and preparation and not as "the guy rocking the G-1."

 

[nittany03]

I agree, although I should say that I think 99% of the people that would give you crap about it would do it in a joking manner and would only do it because of the perception that you don't wear it until you wing, and not from needing to shit on someone else.

I think it's interesting that somewhere along the line what was considered the norm did a complete 180; not sure when it was but it was long before my time clearly. Nonetheless, I think that unless you got a large group of SNAs to band together and do it, most would be happy to be known in the VT ready rooms for their attitude and preparation and not as "the guy rocking the G-1."

As studs, I totally get that your highest priority is being the gray man where your CO hears your name at your winging and goes "who?" Been there, done that, got two t-shirts.

Just keep in mind, though, that some of you will eventually end up in positions of power, either as active duty people, SELRES people, or civilian managers. Never forget the people who pissed you off when they ranked you, and why. Sometimes, a few night traps or other hairy situations later, you'll find out that they did it for a reason, and you'll learn from that. But other times, it's petty bullshit. In that case, the best service you can offer is to first not be that way. And second, to crush people like that in the FITREP 500 or its civilian equivalent.

There are a very few times when it's necessary to be a dick. There are still too many people who abuse the privilege. Don't be that guy or that girl. And if you're ever in a position to do so, tank the career of that guy or that girl, no matter how good they are at their job, before they cause more damage.

 

[kejo]

I’ve never worn my issued G-1 once.

Instead, I wear my uncle’s issued G-1 jacket from 1977 (retired H-3 bubba). Still looks great. Totally vintage. Totally hipster.

 

[Gatordev]

This has happened before. It will all happen again. Studs worrying about wearing certain pieces of flair when no one else really cares. Welcome to flight school.

 

[Dontcallmegump]

Honestly, I'm not afraid to wear something I was issued and have met the criteria to do so, by the books. I like knowing what the culture, tradition and different opinions are on the subject so I'm not making decisions blind or leaning on my understanding alone.

I've already noticed some of the "motivations" a few of you talked about concerning instructors and why they may have certain views towards students and whatnot. And it seems those who are the loudest are a minority and set the "tone" for many groups of students.

I really just started the thread to talk about gear issue as a whole with people in various stages of aviation careers and outside of an official setting. The great jacket debate is just an entertaining side note.