Point Paper/Letter Re: Aviation Greens.

[MasterBates]

Okay, so we send a copy to The Hook, and another one to Rotor Review.

Any other ideas?

 

[phrogpilot73]

Okay, so we send a copy to The Hook, and another one to Rotor Review.

Any other ideas?

Hell, if you're going to do that - send it to: Proceedings, The Hook, Rotor Review, and Naval Aviation News... That is, if I didn't already have my "Greens"

 

[MasterBates]

Here is the latest version of the letter. Getting close to the limit for a letter to Proceedings.

Keeping The AWGs

Without question the return of Service Dress Khaki has been met with thunderous applause from many officers and has even begun to make waves among the ranks of Midshipmen and Officer Candidates. The return of Service Dress Khaki will display a dedication to the strong sense of tradition held by the Naval Service. It is this sense of tradition which has prompted the authoring of this letter. However wonderful it is that Service Dress Khaki has been re-introduced, the retirement of another historic uniform has gone almost unnoticed. This uniform dates back to the beginning of Naval Aviation and is unfortunately slated for retirement with the introduction of the new Navy Working Uniform. I am referring of course to Aviation Working Greens.

The Aviation community has three historic and traditional uniform articles, the leather flight jacket, brown shoes, and Aviation Working Greens. While the leather flight jacket was introduced during the 1930’s, Aviation Working Greens date back to 1917 six years after the inception of Naval Aviation and just four years after the introduction of the covet,ed brown shoes. It is only appropriate to mention the wearing of brown shoes here as it was not long ago that brown shoes were sent to the gallows, only to be resurrected nine years later. There is an opportunity here to save this historic and traditional uniform without retracing the steps of those who fought so hard to bring back brown shoes.

The fate of Aviation Working Greens may matter little to those who are not a part of the Aviation Community, but put simply it should, if not for anything but tradition. Of all the branches of the armed services the Naval Service by far has strongest sense of tradition. The US Naval Service can trace some of its traditions back as far as 350 years, due to the fact that many of our traditions come from the Royal Navy and the days of fighting sail. The retirement of Aviation Working Greens would amount to the retirement of a great Naval Aviation tradition.

Additionally there has recently been significant resurgence of interest in this historic uniform amongst the Aviation community. Although Aviation Working Green is, today, rarely used it should not be phased out, rather should remain an optional uniform available to those with interest in the Uniform. Possible reasons wear of the uniform include but are not limited to Squadron Duty Officer, or situations which require a more formal uniform than the Navy Working Uniform but are still conducive to possible grease and oil stains.

While the current round of uniform regulation revisions has been aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of the Sea Bag for Sailors, the current de facto policy for the Aviation Working Green uniform is that those who choose to buy it and wear it do so. Those that do not desire to wear Aviation Working Greens have never been required to buy them in recent history. Keeping them as an alternate uniform to be worn when Service Dress Khaki, Service Khaki, or Service Dress Blue would otherwise be worn is a fine way to uphold Naval traditions while keeping the cost of the Sea Bag reasonable. An authorized variant of the uniform, wearing the Leather Flight Jacket in place of the Aviation Working Green coat can be worn to further reduce cost. The only additional items that are needed are the Aviation Working Green trousers, and either a green Garrison Cap or a Green Combination Cover. The rest of the components are part of other common uniforms.

The Naval Service has a rich history, one that any Sailor can be proud of. The proud history of this uniform would be a shame to lose. Think back to all those who have come before us in Naval Aviation. Presidents, Medal of Honor recipients, numerous other combat veterans, they all wore this uniform with pride and honor. It would be a tragedy to end that tradition. As we celebrate our Naval Heritage with the re-introduction of Service Dress Khakis in our modern Sea Bag, Aviation Working Greens should remain proudly remain a part of the Aviator’s Sea Bag.

Pick apart as you will, but I want to submit it within the next week (or at least get it circulating for signatories)

A great letter now, will probably do more good than a perfect letter in 3 months.

 

[phrogpilot73]

My suggestion: See if you can find a picture of H.W. in AWG. He is a DFC recipient after all...

 

[loadtoad]

how is it going to get circulated for signatures?

 

[MasterBates]

I would think I would mail a number of originals out to each base/CAG/CV with a lead man.. He gets the letter passed around. Returns to me (or whoever takes point on submitting letter). Copy of letter along with all signatories gets mailed to Proceedings, The Hook, Rotor Review, etc.

Originals possibly forwarded to higher.. Who exactly is the devil I need to work out.

 

[Gatordev]

A great letter now, will probably do more good than a perfect letter in 3 months.

Why a letter? Someone mentioned the "Nobody asked me, but..." submission which is in the back of Proceedings. This seems like the perfect thing for that section. Just making it a letter doesn't really make it as discussion worthy for the next several issues as a full fledged "article."

 

[statesman]

Why a letter? Someone mentioned the "Nobody asked me, but..." submission which is in the back of Proceedings. This seems like the perfect thing for that section. Just making it a letter doesn't really make it as discussion worthy for the next several issues as a full fledged "article."

A NAMB article is what this "letter" actually is, or at least how it started. The original plan was to submit to Proceedings. Later it was suggested we submit to other aviation publications. "Letter" in my view is actually a bit of a misnomer...

 

[Gatordev]

I gotcha. Everyone was throwing around letter now so I wasn't sure if the Nobody asked me thing was thrown out. And who said anything about NAMBLA. What you do in your working greens on your own time is your business...

 

[raptor10]

what's wrong with the National Association of Marlon Brando Look-Alikes

 

[Fmr1833]

MB - see PM

 

[MasterBates]

Here is the latest draft. Looks like it is getting close.

I would like to thank all of you that have sent in ideas, or helped write this.

Keeping The AWGs

Without question the return of Service Dress Khaki has been welcomed by many officers and has even begun to make waves among the ranks of Midshipmen and Officer Candidates. The return of Service Dress Khaki will display a dedication to the strong sense of tradition held by the Naval Service. That sense of tradition has prompted the authoring of this letter. While we welcome the return of the Service Dress Khaki, the retirement of another historic uniform has gone almost unnoticed. This uniform dates back to the beginning of Naval Aviation and is unfortunately slated for retirement with the introduction of the new Navy Working Uniform. I am referring of course to Aviation Working Greens.

The Aviation community has three historic and traditional uniform articles, the leather flight jacket, brown shoes, and Aviation Working Greens. While the leather flight jacket was introduced during the 1930’s, Aviation Working Greens date back to 1917, six years after the inception of Naval Aviation and just four years after the introduction of brown shoes. I mention the wearing of brown shoes in this case because it was not long ago that brown shoes were eliminated, only to be resurrected 9 years later. There is an opportunity here to save this historic and traditional uniform without retracing the steps of those who fought so hard to bring back brown shoes.

Of all the branches of the armed services the Naval Service by far has strongest sense of tradition. While the fate of AWGs may not matter to non-aviators, the sense of tradition they represent should be preserved. The retirement of Aviation Working Greens would amount to the retirement of a great Naval Aviation tradition.

There has recently been significant resurgence of interest in this historic uniform amongst the Aviation community. Today Aviation Working Greens are rarely worn, but they should remain and optional uniform rather than be phased out. Possible reasons for wear of the uniform include but are not limited to Squadron Duty Officer, or situations which require a more formal uniform than the Navy Working Uniform.

While the current round of uniform regulation revisions has been aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of the Sea Bag for Sailors, the current de facto policy for the Aviation Working Green uniform is that those who choose to buy it and wear it do so. Those that do not desire to wear Aviation Working Greens have never been required to buy them in recent history. Keeping them as an alternate uniform to be worn when Service Dress Khaki, Service Khaki, or Service Dress Blue would otherwise be worn is a fine way to uphold Naval traditions while keeping the cost of the Sea Bag reasonable. An authorized variant of the uniform, wearing the Leather Flight Jacket in place of the Aviation Working Green coat can be worn to further reduce cost. The only additional items that are needed are the Aviation Working Green trousers, and either a green Garrison Cap or a Green Combination Cover. The rest of the components are part of other common uniforms.

The Naval Service has a rich history, one that any Sailor can be proud of. The history of this uniform would be a shame to lose. Recalling all those who have come before us in Naval Aviation. Presidents, Medal of Honor recipients, numerous other combat veterans, they all wore this uniform with pride and honor. It would be a tragedy to end that tradition. As we celebrate our Naval Heritage with the re-introduction of Service Dress Khakis, Aviation Working Greens should remain proudly remain a part of the Aviator’s Sea Bag.

 

[TheBubba]

An authorized variant of the uniform, wearing the Leather Flight Jacket in place of the Aviation Working Green coat can be worn to further reduce cost.

I'd maybe revise the sentence. Seems kind of redundant to me.

Something along the lines of "To further reduce cost, the Leather Flight Jacket may be worn in lieu of the Aviation Working Greet Coat".

Just a suggestion.

 

[statesman]

I second TheBubba, and think with that minor change it should be ready for publication.

I think the big question now is how to sign it. Should it be a group signature (ie signed AirWarriors.com) or should there be actual names attached, and if that be the case, how many and whom should be responsible? Granted this is going to Proceedings (et all) but it should still have an authors (or several authors) name attached.

 

[MasterBates]

Here is the latest.

Keeping The AWGs

Without question the return of Service Dress Khaki has been welcomed by many officers and has even begun to make waves among the ranks of Midshipmen and Officer Candidates. The return of Service Dress Khaki will display a dedication to the strong sense of tradition held by the Naval Service. That sense of tradition has prompted the authoring of this letter. While we welcome the return of the Service Dress Khaki, the retirement of another historic uniform has gone almost unnoticed. This uniform dates back to the beginning of Naval Aviation and is unfortunately slated for retirement with the introduction of the new Navy Working Uniform. I am referring of course to Aviation Working Greens.

The Aviation community has three historic and traditional uniform articles, the leather flight jacket, brown shoes, and Aviation Working Greens. While the leather flight jacket was introduced during the 1930’s, Aviation Working Greens date back to 1917, six years after the inception of Naval Aviation and just four years after the introduction of brown shoes. I mention the wearing of brown shoes in this case because it was not long ago that brown shoes were eliminated, only to be resurrected 9 years later. There is an opportunity here to save this historic and traditional uniform without retracing the steps of those who fought so hard to bring back brown shoes.

Of all the branches of the armed services the Naval Service by far has strongest sense of tradition. While the fate of AWGs may not matter to non-aviators, the sense of tradition they represent should be preserved. The retirement of Aviation Working Greens would amount to the retirement of a great Naval Aviation tradition.

There has recently been significant resurgence of interest in this historic uniform amongst the Aviation community. Today Aviation Working Greens are rarely worn, but they should remain and optional uniform rather than be phased out. Possible reasons for wear of the uniform include but are not limited to Squadron Duty Officer, or situations which require a more formal uniform than the Navy Working Uniform.

While the current round of uniform regulation revisions has been aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of the Sea Bag for Sailors, the current de facto policy for the Aviation Working Green uniform is that those who choose to buy it and wear it do so. Those that do not desire to wear Aviation Working Greens have never been required to buy them in recent history. Keeping them as an alternate uniform to be worn when Service Dress Khaki, Service Khaki, or Service Dress Blue would otherwise be worn is a fine way to uphold Naval traditions while keeping the cost of the Sea Bag reasonable. To further reduce cost the Leather Flight Jacket can be worn in lieu of the Aviation Working Green coat. The only additional items that are needed are the Aviation Working Green trousers, and either a green Garrison Cap or a Green Combination Cover. The rest of the components are part of other common uniforms.

The Naval Service has a rich history, one that any Sailor can be proud of. The history of this uniform would be a shame to lose. Recalling all those who have come before us in Naval Aviation. Presidents, Medal of Honor recipients, numerous other combat veterans, they all wore this uniform with pride and honor. It would be a tragedy to end that tradition. As we celebrate our Naval Heritage with the re-introduction of Service Dress Khakis, Aviation Working Greens should remain proudly remain a part of the Aviator’s Sea Bag.