Old Flight Jacket Etiquette
To start, keep in mind that I was winged 51 years ago & retired 35 years ago & I realize things have changed. This is how it was:
We were issued the leather jacket in primary about the time of first flight. NAVCADs were issued a leather nameplate with only name & NAVCAD USNR in gold print. SNA Officers tag with name, rank, service (USN, USNR, USMC) & Officers crest in gold.
Patches: 1 for your training squadron, 1 U.S. flag. Ex-enlisted could add patches for previous permanent command(s), ships, squadrons etc..
After winging & fleet assignment it was pretty open... unit patch, ship, CAG, centurion, Tailhook Assn., other specialty patches... for example we had a patch made up in style/color of a CHP Officer that read Laotian Highway Patrol! Neat stuff.
Warning: while legal, a JO (ENS, JG) with multi patches (all down front, back, both sleeves etc.} JUST LOOKS STUPID & UNCOOL! My big turnoff for TOP GUN the movie was Tom Cruise's flight jacket. Enough patches for a full career of squadrons & deployments!
For the rest of your life, KEEP YOUR FLIGHT JACKET SECURE. It is as hot a stealable item as any jewelry item or cash money you will ever own or carry.
For ex-Enlisted: If you earned a warfare specialty pin (Surface Warefare, Air Crewman, Submarine Dolphins etc.), wear it proudly on your uniform for the rest of your career. Once you are winged, you can still wear your specialty pin (only 1) beneath your ribbons/medals. I wore my hard-earned Sub Dolphins from NAVCAD to retirement & was never harrassed about it, but received many compliments over the years.
Wear this jacket with pride, it is a symbol of great achievement more than a uniform article (an added plus is... "on a cold day it, keeps you warm!")
BzB:icon_smilThe Ancient Mariner
I left it virgin until I got my TG patches recently. Just wait until winging before you patch it up.... at least the patches will match at that point (ie: both TG, wings etc as opposed to mixing and matching).
That being said, DO NOT be afraid to wear it. If it's cold, just tease all the guys giving you shit and walk proudly into the squadron. They're idiots.
To start, keep in mind that I was winged 51 years ago & retired 35 years ago & I realize things have changed. This is how it was:
We were issued the leather jacket in primary about the time of first flight. NAVCADs were issued a leather nameplate with only name & NAVCAD USNR in gold print. SNA Officers tag with name, rank, service (USN, USNR, USMC) & Officers crest in gold.
Patches: 1 for your training squadron, 1 U.S. flag. Ex-enlisted could add patches for previous permanent command(s), ships, squadrons etc..
After winging & fleet assignment it was pretty open... unit patch, ship, CAG, centurion, Tailhook Assn., other specialty patches... for example we had a patch made up in style/color of a CHP Officer that read Laotian Highway Patrol! Neat stuff.
Warning: while legal, a JO (ENS, JG) with multi patches (all down front, back, both sleeves etc.} JUST LOOKS STUPID & UNCOOL! My big turnoff for TOP GUN the movie was Tom Cruise's flight jacket. Enough patches for a full career of squadrons & deployments!
For the rest of your life, KEEP YOUR FLIGHT JACKET SECURE. It is as hot a stealable item as any jewelry item or cash money you will ever own or carry.
For ex-Enlisted: If you earned a warfare specialty pin (Surface Warefare, Air Crewman, Submarine Dolphins etc.), wear it proudly on your uniform for the rest of your career. Once you are winged, you can still wear your specialty pin (only 1) beneath your ribbons/medals. I wore my hard-earned Sub Dolphins from NAVCAD to retirement & was never harrassed about it, but received many compliments over the years.
Wear this jacket with pride, it is a symbol of great achievement more than a uniform article (an added plus is... "on a cold day it, keeps you warm!")
BzB:icon_smilThe Ancient Mariner