dapaterson said:
Time to fix many of the absurd, antiquated notions in the dress manual.
(1) If the Navy wishes to wear forage caps, then forage caps for all - abolish the bowler for women.
me.
(2) If the world does not end when women wear a single stud in each ear, the world will similarly not end if we permit men the same
(3) Claiming "history" as the reason for sailors (not at sea), pioneers and EME technicians to wear beards is absurd. Either all may wear a beard (safety situation dependent) or none.
1. I like the tri-corn like hats the women wear, certainly looks better than the bowlers worn in the 80s
2. Earrings at one point were allowed in the RN
"The Seaman’s practice of wearing earrings dates from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603), not so much in loyalty to the queen as to satisfy a fisherman’s old superstition that pierced ears would improve their eyesight and make them more lively. The occasional earring, of plain yellow gold, is still seen in the Royal Navy, worn usually on the left ear lobe only." most likely apply to the 17th and 18th Century
http://www.thedearsurprise.com/?p=1888
somewhere along the line pearls became the navy tradition for females or the usual gold studs.
3. Not everyone can grow facial hair, and i'm certain the all or none policy has never applied, nor should it to beards in the navy. Maybe everyone should shave there head bald because a few are bald or have a receding hairline.
startbutton said:
and as for the navy the ones I know say they can only grow a beard while posted to a ship and with COs permission.
Navy use to be allowed to grow beards and during beard growing competitions, (Army and Airforce as well) mind you this was at sea, to be clean shaven or a full beard (for Navy only) prior to going ashore with the Coxn standing at the brow. Up until a few years ago, 2009? thats when they switched to SCBA which required a full seal, Chemox you could get away with it. so now its medical chit or shore postings and mustache growing competitions at sea to see who has the best battlestache. The tradition died a little bit more that day.
A tidbit to add on while I was searching for the earings bit.
"In the United States Navy officers and men coming aboard face aft and salute their ensign whereas we salute the ship (straight ahead, looking athwartship)."(At right angles to the centre line of the ship)
http://www.hmsrichmond.org/avast/customs.htm