Okay, Proceedings wanted it bumped up 120ish words, and most-haste to make the September issue.
Here is what they had previously, the BOLD is what I added to beef it up.
Keeping The AWGs
Without question the return of Service Dress Khaki has been welcomed by many officers and has even begun to make waves among the ranks of Midshipmen and Officer Candidates. The return of Service Dress Khaki will display a dedication to the strong sense of tradition held by the Naval Service. That sense of tradition has prompted the authoring of this letter. While we welcome the return of the Service Dress Khaki, the retirement of another historic uniform has gone almost unnoticed. This uniform dates back to the beginning of Naval Aviation and is unfortunately slated for retirement with the introduction of the new Navy Working Uniform. I am referring of course to Aviation Working Greens.
The Aviation community has three historic and traditional uniform articles, the leather flight jacket, brown shoes, and Aviation Working Greens. While the leather flight jacket was introduced during the 1930’s, Aviation Working Greens date back to 1917, six years after the inception of Naval Aviation and just four years after the introduction of brown shoes. I mention the wearing of brown shoes in this case because it was not long ago that brown shoes were eliminated, only to be resurrected 9 years later. There is an opportunity here to save this historic and traditional uniform without retracing the steps of those who fought so hard to bring back brown shoes.
Of all the branches of the armed services the Naval Service by far has strongest sense of tradition. While the fate of AWGs may not matter to non-aviators, the sense of tradition they represent should be preserved. The retirement of Aviation Working Greens would amount to the retirement of a great Naval Aviation tradition.
There has recently been significant resurgence of interest in this historic uniform amongst the Aviation community. Today Aviation Working Greens are rarely worn, but they should remain an optional uniform rather than be phased out. Possible reasons for wear of the uniform include but are not limited to Squadron Duty Officer, or situations which require a more formal uniform than the Navy Working Uniform. To be frank, the Navy Working Uniform Blue Digital Camouflage is not an equivalent to Aviation Working Greens. One is utilitarian, and the other is a suit with a tie.
While the current round of uniform regulation revisions has been aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of the Sea Bag for Sailors, the current de facto policy for the Aviation Working Green uniform is that those who choose to buy it and wear it do so. Those that do not desire to wear Aviation Working Greens have never been required to buy them in recent history. Keeping them as an alternate uniform, to be worn when Service Dress Khaki, Service Khaki, or Service Dress Blue would otherwise be worn is a fine way to uphold Naval traditions while keeping the cost of the Sea Bag reasonable. To further reduce cost the Leather Flight Jacket can be worn in lieu of the Aviation Working Green coat. The only additional items that are needed are the Aviation Working Green trousers, and either a green Garrison Cap or a Green Combination Cover. The rest of the components are part of other common uniforms shared with the Service Dress Blue uniform or Service Dress Khaki uniform.
To facilitate making the uniform more acceptable in joint and non-aviation commands, an easy change to the uniform regulations allowing wearing of the uniform as Aviation Service Green would have no additional cost. By the addition of ribbons, and wearing the uniform as Aviation Service Green, it would expand the occasions that Aviation Greens are suitable for when a more formal uniform is desired. Adding Aviation Service Green as an option would give those who wear the uniform more flexibility in where and when they can be worn.
The Naval Service has a rich history, one that any Sailor can be proud of. The history of this uniform would be a shame to lose. Recalling all those who have come before us in Naval Aviation, Presidents, Medal of Honor recipients, numerous other combat veterans, they all wore this uniform with pride and honor. It would be a tragedy to end that tradition. As we celebrate our Naval Heritage with the re-introduction of Service Dress Khakis, Aviation Working Greens should proudly remain a part of the Aviator’s Sea Bag.