At least for the OOW so that everyone knows who that person is.
This was in the context of
@Halifax Tar 's suggestions, which I quite liked. More specifically, about OOW in DEU tunic. I understand that used to be the case (from WW2 footage). I don't mind it, as the OOW would not himself physically respond to emergencies, except those of a kinetic nature, which supposedly would only occur when you're already sailing in some heightened state of preparedness - which includes appropriate uniform, which is already the usual practice.
Many COs relax standards when circumstances allow, allowing crew to dress down to t-shirts, or even replace boots with sneakers.
Traditions like that have a place on the parade square, and in other ceremonies/routines, but don't add value in the daily routine.
It doesn't need to be big parades, simple things are like reporting to the OOW, crossing the brow of a ship, etc., are all mini routine ceremonial events. They are a link back to the past and tradition far more than a groggy high five in a poorly lit parking lot at 0530 is.
Edit: The Avr getting jacked up at at sunrise because they couldn't see the half hidden subdued bars on a Capt.'s flight suit slip-ons isn't thinking about the traditional link back to the days of buying commissions from the crown.
Anyone who moves the uniform overton window towards less hats gets my vote. I still think salutes have their place though, and I think linking salutes to hats is a ridiculous rule that already results in awkward situations. (someone supposed to salute for a report or receiving an award off-parade happens to not have their hat on, grimaces and performs this rushed routine putting it on wrong or borrowing a buddy's)
Salutes, as a tradition, are already two degrees of separation from their origin (from lifting the visor, to lifting the hat, to not even touching the hat), so let's just move it down another degree and forget about the already-uninvolved hat.
I think there's a great song, from the west coast, that would serve as a tribute to (a) the strong connection to the UK of the RCN, and (b) the longstanding reputation of sailors ashore.
That song? Home for a Rest.
I wouldn't mind it. Lyrics don't seem problematic at all, unless I've severely misunderstood the meaning of ''Past old crooked dykes''.
As a Franco, Heart of Oak never sat very well. Not least because the French version sounds horrible. Heck, I've usually been more energetic singing along with the Americans.
Simply canadianizing HoA as someone else suggested may also be an appropriate CoA.
Trending back towards the topic of the thread;
Are we to understand then that CANSOFCOM's differentiation in dress was more of a pilot project? Will the remainder of the Army look like CANSOFCOM in the future? Akin to how it is supposed to transition to multicam? If not, how different will the two uniforms be?
