In 1970 or so Admiral Zumwalt allowed facial hair on sailors. Beards, mustaches and goatees were all allowed. I wonder when that changed.
In 1970 or so Admiral Zumwalt allowed facial hair on sailors. Beards, mustaches and goatees were all allowed. I wonder when that changed.
It changed in the Coast Guard when Admiral Yost became Commandant. He had said for years that if he ever was selected for that position his first official act would be to outlaw beards ... and it was. His official statement was that beards were "unprofessional" and a "hygiene problem".1985.
You just joined the wrong service! The Coast Guard still had the Cracker Jack's until the "Bender Blues" - so-named for their biggest proponent, Admiral Chester Bender - replaced them in the mid 70's. And the old ones came with the flat hats for dress; undress and work uniforms (good old dungarees), were paired with the "dixie cups"!I'm changing the subject just a bit, but maybe I am allowed as I am the OP? I'll let Jim be the judge of that. LOL.
I was never so bummed as when I arrived in boot camp first day and discovered that the Navy no longer issued the so called Donald Duck hats shown in the OP. 4 years earlier.
Nothing looked better then wearing a well made custom set of gaberdine dress blues with the Donald Duck hat. Steve McQueen stuff right there.
You just joined the wrong service! The Coast Guard still had the Cracker Jack's until the "Bender Blues" - so-named for their biggest proponent, Admiral Chester Bender - replaced them in the mid 70's. And the old ones came with the flat hats for dress; undress and work uniforms (good old dungarees), were paired with the "dixie cups"!