I'm bored, so I'll wade in here:
Originally Posted by
XHooker
Maybe an exaggeration, but scarves... really?
An ex-Navy guy giving us crap about a military service clinging to some old out of date tradition? Good God, a newly commissioned Ensign (why can't you guys just use the ranks the other three mil services use?
) needs to take out a second mortgage just to buy all the various uniforms he's required to maintain.
We all know where the scarf origin began. It's not like it's out of left field. Much like the sailor's bell bottoms with useless front pockets or insisting on calling a candy bar "gedunk" - every service has a few traditions that serve little purpose. FWIW, I thought the scarves were stupid, uncomfortable and I rarely wore them. Most fighter pilots I knew opted not to wear them. The further away from Langley AFB (HQ) a fighter pilot was the less likely you were to see him sporting a scarf.
Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
Wasn't it the AF that wanted to turn the flight suit into a uniform instead of a piece of flight equipment and together the services agree to put creases into the flight suits in the early-mid 90s?
No. The crease was a temporary and completely idiotic addition spearheaded by Gen McPeak shortly after receiving his Flag Officer Lobotomy. It went away shortly after he did.
Unlike the Navy, the USAF has always considered the flight suit a uniform, which is huge, IMO. That means it's an acceptable UOD almost 100% of the time. No flight duties scheduled? You can still wear it. Going to the O-club for lunch or to knock back a few? No problem.
I can count the number of times I wore something other than a bag on 2 hands over a 22 year career. I'll take a little extra hassle to make sure it looks presentable (not ironing though) for that any day.
