That's the difference between you and me. My observations aren't from my time in the 1 squadron that I've been a part of in the fleet. These are broad generalizations that I am making about the Navy today.
I think I've seen enough different squadrons and airwings to support my idea that things aren't completely F'd. Maybe it's a coastal thing. I've been a part of one East coast, and three West Coast airwings. Things are noticeably different out here.
But if you want to talk about disingenuous, or just plain ignorance, then lets keep acting like things are just the same way that they have been
We also didn't let girls or minorities fly airplanes for a long time. OF COURSE things have changed. The guys who were old farts in 'Nam thought things had changed from Korea. It's the natural cycle of life for ANY organization. Are there things now that are more administrative ass pain that ever before? Yep. Do we still have a pretty bad ass job? Yep.
I've seen callsigns go away. I've seen follies go away. I've seen XO cruise boxes go away. I've seen dudes get in trouble for swearing at follies. I've seen COs get fired on multiple occasions because they hurt people feelings.
You are one roll-em away from someone walking in and seeing what's on the TV and getting offended and start crying about their feelings.
Callsigns: We've got 'em painted on jets with out the slightest suggestion to the contrary.
Follies: Never been on a deployment with out them.
Swearing at Follies: Last Strike Group Admiral dropped more F bombs that JOPA could count.
Hurt Feelings and the sort: That sucks.
In the end you've got run your squadron, your department, your division, your shop, your flight, your strike package, etc... like it needs to be run. You've got to the do the right thing and not make decisions based on whether you think you're going to fired or not. The guys who've I've seen lead this way had more fun and found more success than those who worried about the things you've listed.
And at the end of the day, the only thing any of us can really do with immediate impact is to vote with our feet.
I'm glad that there are CAGs out there who will sit down and watch a good old fashion roll-em with his people. Congrats.
couldn't have said it better myself...