Any updates about this? I found your article in Tailhook, Bates. It's a nicely written piece. I do have a question about one of those pictures, though. The top one from the 1920s of that unknown Commander- are those brown leather riding boots or are they just brown shoes with leather guards?
Basically riding boot style. That was before they were "modernized" in the late 20s. Similar to Army/Marine boots of the time. Back when knee deep mud was common on bases.
Good to know. I'll be sure to bring my brown leather English riding boots if I ever need to see a shoe implode.
Any word on the garrison cap wings? Are those going to be coming back or are we still waiting on that too?
When AWGs are officially safe I'm going to nominate MB for the Nobel Peace Prize. Can I get a second?
Why wait? He's already been working on this longer than certain other laureates have been in office, and apparently "efforts" are more important than results.
Master - just a thought, but we are coming up on the centennial of Naval aviation beginning next year. It would be a shame to kill AWGs during the celebration year. I would recommend your next round of paperwork focus on that to hopefully at least grant a stay of execution for another year. During that time more guys start wearing the uniform and it perpetuates.
There was a similair fight 30 years ago about getting brown shoes back for aviators. Take a look at: http://books.google.com/books?id=m5s4hxvn-S0C&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=aviators+brown+shoes+return&source=bl&ots=OSfZAKDZAT&sig=K9W9kqotcPPjuM7dV-X5qc9yz_o&hl=en&ei=K37sSuG3FpO8MLqBwbEI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=aviators%20brown%20shoes%20return&f=false
That effort has been referenced several times in the effort to save the AWGs, its been a source of inspiration of sorts.
It's also been referenced several times in vain attempts to de-stupid new SNAs who think they aren't supposed to wear brown shoes. I mean, seriously, we had a guy check in to HSL-40 here recently in black shoes! We should turn them away!
In honor of Veterans' Day Google is showing its support for the AWG movement! Okay, maybe it's another service in a similar uniform, but who can say for sure?
According to the regs black shoes are the standard shoes for AWGs, and brown shoes are optional components. That said, why the hell wouldn't you wear brown shoes with AWGs?
That's just the way the regs are written. Black shoes are the default. As in for a seabag inspection, you're only required to have black shoes. Brown shoes are optional.
Any word on the fight to save the greens? All the working uni's that were replaced by NWUs are done at the end of 2010.
Thread resurrection again, MB, any word? I'm currently working with Abbotts on getting my set. I'll be really sad if I get back from deployment and I can't wear them.
There is still a possible stay of execution with 3-star backing. More details when I know more. 2011 = Centennial of Naval Aviation, and it would be dumb to get rid of one of our historic uniforms in 2011.
For anyone else out there unaware of the history of the AWG's (like me), here is a pretty good article. http://www.navalhistory.org/2010/04...tion-history-aviation-greens-make-a-comeback/
Good to know. Even if they do get tossed eventually if I ever meet you in person you're drinking on me for all this effort.
As a heads up, if your command interprets "2010" as FY-2010 like mine is, tomorrow is the last day for Aviation Working Greens. I'm wearing mine tomorrow. I'll probably get an audience with the CO or XO, but dammit, they are still legal, I am wearing them tomorrow.
