Monday - October 15, 2007
Commandants and Uniforms
We're a nation at war and we have a new
Commandant this year. What have been his most prominent acts so
far?
1. Reverting back to 1986 and
forbidding Marines from putting gas in their gas tanks while in
uniform.
2. Trying, it seems, as hard
as he can to insult the Commander in Chief by telling Congress that Iraq isn't
important and that the war in Iraq is a distraction from our real purpose of
responding to troublespots around the
globe.
I'm filled with pride.
Not.
On the first point, the Marines have this theory
that the utility uniform is for field conditions only and that it is
inappropriate to wear in public. This is certainly a valid viewpoint, but ever
since Al Gray was commandant, we have been wearing our utilities more and more.
When I was a second lieutenant anyone
not working in a hangar or in the field had to wear "charlies," the uniform with
oxford shoes, creased trousers, and crisp button down shirt. Al Gray came along
and anyone in a fleet unit wore utilities everyday except Friday.
Now even Marines working in the
Pentagon wear utilites. They even have maternity utilities for crying out
loud.
Yet this is a uniform too
undignified to wear in public.
Sometime
in the mid 80's, probably 88 or so, they changed the rules so that if you were
driving to work you could stop at a gas pump and put gas in your car wearing
utilities. Later, after I got out in 93, the rules seem to have changed again
and people were allowed to go inside the gas station or run essential errands in
utilities.
The reason these changes
were made is because the result of not allowing the uniform to be worn in
public, and yet allowing it at work, is that most people would drive to work
wearing gym shorts and smelly t-shirts to change into uniform when they got to
work. it defeats the purpose when people look even more
slovenly.
Actually, the new
Commandant's actions are an indication that utilities are becoming more
acceptable and this backlash will soon be undone by the next commandant who will
extend the laxer standards even
further.
The second accomplishment of
the new Commandant might appear to be inspired by one or more of the
following:
1. I still think that there
may be a bit of revenge against Bush for not backing up General Pace as the
Chairman of the joint staff.
2. I also
think there may be an interest in backing a perceived winning democrat party
next elections, with an eye to gaining their favor when it comes to
budgets.
3. I also think charitably
that this might be heartfelt, and that the new Commandant takes criticism of
past generals to heart for not demanding more of everything in order to fight
the war, or challenge the national leadership to provide better ways to support
national defense in a broader sense.
Number three would seem more likely if
he weren't so preoccupied with making petty retro uniform
regulations.
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