rickair7777

Navy here, know what it is but what's the back story?

UAL T38 Phlyer

As told to me, as a 2Lt:

Day 1 of pilot training, we (students) were told our families could go to the flight surgeon; bypassing the long wait at Family Practice.

Supposedly during Vietnam, a non-rated officer wrote a letter to the Editor of Air Force Times, lamenting:

"Why do pilot's families get to go to the Flight Surgeon? I'm an officer too...I don't see why just they should get special privileges...."

Reputedly, a flyer wrote back (Probably a Phantom guy, given the era), and said:

"Why? Because we're the tip of the spear. Because we have valuble jobs skills that people on the outside are willing to pay big bucks for, whereas your AFSC [Air Force Specialty Code; a job-number] qualifies you to be a shoe salesman at Thom McKann" (a big shoe-making name at the time).

That's what I was told.

The Navy has a similar "shoe" moniker, although the reasons are different (If I have it right, submariners and ship guys wear black shoes, only flyers wear brown). I know you have the details on this one, Rick!

rickair7777

Thanks, always wondered.

Navy "Shoe" (ie Black Shoe) has a different meaning, just means non-pilot line officer. Most are still warfighters/operators but with cultural differences. Somewhat negative connotations for ship driver culture; for subs/seals/divers just a different culture. Actually I've never heard anyone refer to a frogman as a shoe to his face

Interesting, the Navy changed the uniform regs a few years back...now anyone can choose to wear brown or black shoes with khakis, regardless of specialty. Most folks seem to stick to their traditional color though.

Wheelsoff

Beat me to it, Huggy!

Also, in response to the original thread topic,

E2CMaster

S.H.O.E.

Stupidest
Humans
On
Earth

Carrier aviators don't know the true pain of being one of five Aviators on a ship of the shoes, for the shoes, by the shoes.
(Former HSL guy before E2s )

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

DCA A321 FO

Was on an Aegis Cruiser, winds were 20 knots, OOD drove the ship 25 knots downwind to give us 5 knots over the deck. OIC wasn't amused.

surfnski

Textbook shoe windage.

Grumble

Im going to have to try that one with some team buddies of mine. $100 to the first guy here that walks into McP's and tells everyone there they're just a bunch of black shoes.

The origins of brown shoes are actually based in history though, from the days of flying off dirt fields, and black boots would be stained brown.

PurpleToolBox

Unfortunately I was the Aircraft Commander of a KC-10 which took the (they shall no longer even be named) group on a 2-week tour of Atlantic/European bases. Every base we visited had 30 folks or so attend the show. It was the most embarrassing thing I've seen in the USAF. One show was off-base and NOBODY showed up. The looks on the locals faces were priceless. The drummer even gave me a signed drumstick thinking he was so cool. (facepalm)

JerkStore

I'm. So. Sorry. I'd go DNIF if I was assigned that trip.